Blueberry Moscow Mule with Homemade Ginger Beer for #SundaySupper

Sunday, June 2, 2013
I absolutely love berries. I eat strawberries, raspberries or blueberries on a daily basis, either in my morning Greek Yogurt parfait or breakfast smoothie. I also like to add them into my cocktails. When I heard that Nicole from Daily Dish Recipes (follow her blog, she is amazing) was hosting a Berry themed #SundaySupper, I got super excited and knew instantly what I was bringing to the table.....

One of my favorite cocktails in 2013 is the Moscow Mule. I was introduced to this cocktail last summer by my friend Lauren and I since have turned quite a few of my friends into huge fans of this delicious drink. Now it's my time to introduce it to you. If you are not familiar with the Moscow Mule, here is a quick history lesson - The story of the Moscow Mule begins in 1939 when Rudolph Kunett sold the Smirnoff brand to John Martin, head of G.F. Heublein & Bros. In 1941, John Martin and "Jack" Morgan, President of Cock 'n' Bull Products (which produced ginger beer) and proprietor of the Cock 'n' Bull restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in L.A.  Using Martins Vodka and Morgans Ginger beer, the Moscow Mule was born. The drink faded it's popularity in the 1960's but regained it's place as a top seller, especially after Oprah named it as one of her favorite things in 2012.

First - a Moscow Mule is not a Moscow Mule without the Copper Mug. I am so obsessed with the authenticity of this cocktail that I ordered mugs for my house. For this weeks Sunday Supper, I attempted a first, making my own Ginger Beer at home. Odd as it sounds, your ice is very important for this recipe. Some prefer large square ice cubes while other say it's got to be crushed. For this recipe, I used crushed ice.

Making your own Ginger Beer Concentrate
adapted from Cookie + Kate

Ingredients
1lb pounds fresh ginger, roughly peeled (I used my hand peeler)
2 cups filtered water, divided
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 cup of agave nectar or pure cane sugar
Club soda (I used my Soda Stream for fresh Soda Water)

Instructions 

  • In a food processor you will need your shredder and chopper disk - first use your shredder and shred the peeled ginger.
  • Replace your disk and liquefy the ginger with 3/4 cup of water for 3 minutes.
  • Strain the juice into a large bowl or pitcher (I used my boyfriends Coffee Press which worked magically...shhh dont tell).
  • Transfer the ginger pulp back to to the blender or food processor, add another 1/2 cup of water, and liquefy again.
  • Strain again, adding the liquid to the first batch. 
  • Repeat once more
  • Place the solids in a coffee filter and squeeze as much juice as you can then discard solids, you shouldn't have much left over.
  • Place your ginger concentrate in a blender, add lime juice and sweetener. Blend for 30 seconds
  • Test the flavor of your ginger beer to make sure it is to your liking - use 2 ounces ginger concentrate to 8 oz Club Soda. If you are like me and like extra strong Ginger Beer, you can add more.  The Concentrate is good for up to three weeks but you can freeze it if necessary.
  • If you prefer to use crushed ice in this recipe, use your blender. Mine made perfectly snow cone shaved ice which was perfect for this drink. 


Blueberry Moscow Mule Recipe

2 oz Blueberry Vodka (I used Van Gogh Acai Blueberry Vodka)
3 to 4 oz Ginger beer
2 Lime wedges
Handful of Blueberries
Crushed ice (I crushed mine in my blender)


I am super excited to check out the recipes from my #SundaySupper Family - check out the rest of the group is bringing to the table this week!

Breakfast & Brunch

Sweet & Savory Berry Recipes

Jams, Jelly, Sauces & More

Desserts

Cocktails, Drinks & Smoothies

Party Planning

Summer Berry Recipes
Check back on Sunday for all of wonderful Summer Berries recipes! We'd love if you joined our #SundaySupper chat on Twitter too: we’ll tweet throughout the day and share all of our recipes. Then at 7:00pm EST we'll start our weekly chat. Please jump in anytime and join us! To join in, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets. You can also check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and photos.

35 comments

  1. What a fun post, Megan! So cool learning about the history of this drink and the copper mug. I'll have to give this one a try, for sure!

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    1. Thanks Di! I always say, a Moscow Mule isn't a Moscow Mule without the copper mug!!

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  2. Yum! I need to try making my own ginger beer first then I'll add the blueberry vodka. It sounds so refreshing!

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    1. It was amazing - so amazing, it is already gone!

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  3. I have never had a moscow mule, but all of that totally needs to change! Awesome that you made your own ginger beer!

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    1. Laura, check your stores for ginger beer (or make your concentrate)...if you like ginger, you will love this cocktail!

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  4. Very nice an original and creative idea.

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  5. Never heard of a Moscow Mule - thanks for the info! Looks like a fun drink, too.

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    1. Camille, it is my absolute favorite drink ever - you have to try it if you see it on a menu!

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  6. Well, I'm one of your converts, so that much is obvious! And now that I have my own copper mugs I no longer have to drink them in regular glasses. Score! I love this twist with the blueberry vodka - smart! I like that you made your own ginger beer as well...such a good idea!

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    1. So much healthier too!!! SO glad I made you a fan of this drink :)

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  7. Thank you for the interesting fun factoids about Moscow Mules, Megan =) If it's one of Oprah's Favorite Things, it's got to be good! (And yours does look delish!) BTW Cock 'n Bull is now on Lincoln Blvd in the Santa Monica area..Love to have you run by sometime!

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    1. That's awesome!!! If I am in the area, I will look you up for sure!

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  8. What a cool copper mug! I've never had a Moscow Mule and have to try one soon.

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    1. Thanks Renee! The mug makes the drink taste even better!

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  9. Never even heard of a Moscow Mule but it looks good to me!

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    1. Sarah, if you like ginger and vodka, you will love this drink!!

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  10. Love the homemade ginger beer concept. Taking it to a while new level!

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    1. This obsession is all your fault :) :)

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  11. Love your homemade ginger beer!Never tried the 'Moscow Mule' but it sounds really good!Have to try :)

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    1. Thanks Soni! You have to give it a try. You will love it, trust me.

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  12. I have never heard of Moscow Mule but it sounds good. Homemade ginger beer... how neat! Very creative idea.

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    1. Isabel! It is amazing - next time you are at Datz, you have to order one.

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  13. What a great drink!! Love the homemade ginger beer!!

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  14. Yes please! This is a fantastic cocktail for the hot weather.

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  15. Megan, I bow down to you - not only did you order the copper mugs for full authenticity, but you made your own ginger beer! So.awesome. Dang, I want one of these right now. I just saw your name on the list of IFBC Seattle attendees - I'm going too and I can't wait to meet you! It's going to be so much fun. Hopefully there'll be a lot of kick ass booze like this moscow mule!

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  16. I must say, I am SO impressed by this! Making your own homemade ginger beer? That is serious! Loved the history lesson on the MM too. Thanks for introducing me to the fabulous libation several months ago. I would LOVE to try a blueberry one :)

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  17. I love that you went ahead and ordered copper mugs! Thats the spirit!!! lol!! I actually might like this...ingredients are fantastic! This could make a crowd very happy! ;-)

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  18. I've just recently gotten into Moscow Mules. I typically use Blenheim spicy ginger ale, but I've been meaning to make my own. And a blueberry version? Yes please!!!

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  19. one of oprah's favorite things?! oh, I must try! looks delish!

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  20. Love the homemade ginger ale and the recipe !! Must try it sometime. Pretty pics too!

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