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Why have a Moscow mule or Kentucky mule when you can have a watermelon mule? This unique spin on the classic cocktail is light and refreshing.
Everything is more fun when there’s a signature drink involved. “Want to come over and hang out on the deck?” is made infinitely better by saying, “Want to drink watermelon mules on the deck?”
This is a summer version of your favorite Moscow mule, a refreshing cocktail with a light watermelon essence. Here’s how to make this tasty spin on the classic!
What you’ll need
This watermelon mule has a subtle watermelon flavor and is a light and refreshing version of a Moscow mule. The concept behind this version of the classic drink is to use equal parts ginger beer and watermelon juice instead of straight ginger beer.
This brings in the essence of watermelon and lightens the flavor just a bit. Then, it’s got the traditional ingredients, vodka and lime juice.
How to make a watermelon mule
Because a mule is all about the carbonation in the ginger beer, this drink is not mixed in a cocktail shaker like my gin and watermelon cocktail and watermelon vodka drink. To preserve the carbonation, it’s simply mixed right in the mug and served over ice.
To make a watermelon mule, you’ll start by making watermelon juice, then add vodka, lime, and ginger beer. Here are the basic steps:
- Cut the watermelon into cubes, then blend it up.
- When it’s liquid, pass it through a fine mesh strainer to strain out the particulate. Note that you’ll get about half the quantity of watermelon juice to cubed watermelon. For example, 2 cups of cubed watermelon equals about 1 cup of watermelon juice.
- In each mug, combine ⅓ cup watermelon juice with ¼ cup vodka, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and ⅓ cup ginger beer.
Do you need a copper mug?
A Moscow mule is traditionally served in a copper cup or copper mug. But does this watermelon mule have to be served in copper? A purist would say yes. Copper keeps the drink cool in a different way than a glass. The cool copper rim gives a cold sensation when taking a sip.
Another reason for serving a mule in copper is tradition! The drink was invented in the 1940s as a clever marketing scheme to sell more vodka, ginger beer, and copper mugs.
People in Hollywood fell in love with the drink, and there were many images of people shown drinking Moscow mules out of copper mugs. It caught on and is popular to this day! (Who needs Instagram to start a trend?)
Of course, at my house, a mule doesn’t have to be served in copper at all! Whatever glass you use, it will still be a mule. However, it’s just plain fun to serve in the copper.
More watermelon recipes
Watermelon is one of the most hydrating, nutrient-dense summer fruits! Outside of this watermelon mule, here are a few of my favorite recipes with watermelon:
- Drinks: Watermelon Water, Watermelon Slushie, Watermelon Juice or Watermelon Smoothie, Watermelon Cucumber Juice, or Watermelon Drink Ideas
- Cocktails: Watermelon Smash, Watermelon Mojito, Gin & Watermelon Cocktail, Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
- Pickles: Pickled Watermelon Rind
- Salad: Watermelon Salad with Mint or Watermelon Feta Salad
- Sorbet: Watermelon Sorbet
Watermelon Mule
Why have a Moscow mule or Kentucky mule when you can have a watermelon mule? This unique spin on the classic cocktail is light and refreshing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup watermelon juice (see Step 1)
- ¼ cup vodka
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus a lime slice for serving
- ⅓ cup ginger beer
Instructions
- To make 1 cup watermelon juice, add 2 cups cubed watermelon to a blender and blend until a juice forms. Then pour the juice through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. This will make enough for 3 drinks, so multiply as desired!
- In a copper mug or glass, pour in the watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately.
