A Blood Orange Moscow Mule is a fun and tasty citrus cocktail you can whip up at home. The mix of sweet blood orange juice, spicy ginger beer, and smooth vodka is honestly hard not to love.
I’m always drawn to the bright, almost glowing color—this drink just pops on any table.
Whenever I’m craving a fresh spin on a classic cocktail, this is usually what I make. It’s refreshing but doesn’t go overboard with sweetness or strength.
If you’re into cocktails with real fruit flavors, you’ll probably want to give this one a shot.
Blood Orange Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe
I really love this bright, tangy twist on the classic vodka mule. Fresh blood oranges and ginger beer keep things crisp, and using a copper mug? It’s not just for looks—it seriously keeps your drink icy.
Equipment
-
Copper mug or mule mug
I’m a big fan of copper mugs for these. They’re cold, and honestly, they just look cool. -
Citrus juicer
A handheld squeezer works. I always try to get every last drop out of those blood oranges and limes. -
Jigger or measuring cup
Measuring keeps the flavors balanced, which is worth the extra step. -
Bar spoon
A long spoon helps mix things gently so the ginger beer doesn’t lose its fizz. -
Knife and cutting board
You’ll need these for slicing up the fruit, obviously. -
Small bowl (optional)
I use a little bowl to keep garnishes ready if I’m feeling organized.
Ingredients
-
2 oz vodka
Plain vodka is my usual, but if you find blood orange vodka, that’s fun too. -
2 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice
Blood oranges really do make this drink—they’re sweeter and more tangy than regular oranges. -
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
Lime cuts through the sweetness just enough. -
4 oz ginger beer
I like a ginger beer with some bite to it. -
Ice cubes
Fill the mug about three-quarters of the way. -
Garnishes:
- Blood orange wedges
- Lime wedges
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Fill your copper mug about three-quarters full with ice.
- Measure and pour in the vodka, blood orange juice, and lime juice.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon.
- Top it off with ginger beer, pouring slowly so it stays bubbly.
- Give it one more gentle stir.
- Garnish with a blood orange wedge, lime wedge, and a few mint leaves.
- Serve right away while it’s still frosty and fizzy.
Notes
I always use freshly squeezed blood orange juice—it just tastes better and looks amazing. If blood oranges are out of season, regular oranges will do, but you’ll miss that unique flavor.
Chilling the copper mugs in the freezer for about ten minutes makes a real difference. The colder, the better.
Ginger beer can be all over the place in terms of sweetness. I usually taste as I go and add a bit more lime if things get too sugary.
Blood orange vodka is a fun swap if you want to double down on orange flavor. For parties, I’ll slice up extra blood oranges for garnish—makes the drinks look extra festive.
Equipment
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Cutting board and knife
- Bowl for garnishes (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer chilled
- Ice cubes
- Garnishes:
- Blood orange wedge
- Lime wedge
- Fresh mint leaves optional
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug about ¾ full with ice.
- Add vodka, blood orange juice, and lime juice.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
- Slowly pour in ginger beer to preserve the fizz.
- Give it one final soft stir.
- Garnish with a blood orange wedge, lime, and mint if using.
- Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.
Tasting Notes
The first sip of a Blood Orange Moscow Mule is always a treat. The blood orange juice brings a bright, citrusy punch that’s a little sweeter and less sharp than the classic mule.
Ginger beer comes through next, giving everything a fizzy, spicy kick. I like how it plays with the vodka and the sweet citrus.
The texture is crisp, super cooling—especially if you went for the copper mug. That chill really lingers.
Sometimes I’ll toss in extra mint leaves. The combo of mint and citrus reminds me of other classic cocktails, but blood orange really sets this one apart.
Each sip is a little sweet, a little tangy, and there’s that ginger zing. It’s a fun twist if you’re into Moscow mules or just want something a bit different from the usual.
Substitute
Honestly, there are days when I just don’t have everything on hand for a Blood Orange Moscow Mule. But, I find that swapping in a few things lets me still enjoy the drink—no big deal.
- If ginger beer’s missing from my fridge, I grab ginger ale instead. It’s sweeter and, sure, not as spicy, but it works.
- Out of blood oranges? Regular oranges or even tangerines do the trick. The color changes, but you still get that citrusy vibe.
- For a non-alcoholic version (mocktail), I just skip the vodka. Sometimes I’ll pour in extra ginger ale or a splash of soda water, plus a bit more orange juice for a boost.
If my local store’s out of something, I’ll just order spirits or mixers online from places like Drizly.
Honestly, experimenting with swaps keeps things interesting.
