This Keto Moscow Mule is the refreshing low-carb cocktail you’ll love. Only 3 ingredients necessary for this delicious ginger drink at about 1 carb each!
Moscow Mule
When you need a breath of fresh air in a glass, this Moscow Mule has you covered! Using a sugar-free ginger beer, you can get that same delicious flavor without all the carbs. This keto cocktail has just 1.1 net carb each, making it the perfect happy hour drink!
Moscow Mules are all about being as cold as possible. The classic copper mug, crushed ice, chilled ginger beer, and a quick stir all work together to make your drink ice cold and your mug nice and frosty. This drink is still delicious without being ridiculously cold, though, so don’t skip it just because you may not be able to get it to its coldest!
You can make this drink as simple or as “fancy” as you’d like. For the BEST mule, use a real lime, crushed ice, good ginger beer, and serve in a copper mug. To keep it simple and convenient, use bottled lime juice, whatever ice you have, ginger ale, and any glass you can find. Either way, you’ll have a satisfying, refreshing beverage!
Ingredients for a Keto Moscow Mule
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need — Just 3 ingredients! Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for specific measurements. You will also need ice — Crushed is best, but cubed works, too.
- Lime – The absolute BEST Moscow Mule comes from using a real lime, but bottled lime juice is so convenient and will still result in a delicious drink.
- Vodka – You don’t have to worry about going for the top shelf for a good mule. Don’t go super cheap, but a “middle of the road” vodka will do just fine.
- Sugar-Free Ginger Beer – Check the label, but this should have 0 carbs! Sugar-free ginger ale can be used instead, but it will have a weaker ginger flavor.
How to Make a Moscow Mule
This drink is simple, especially since it has 3 easy, convenient ingredients. This step-by-step guide shows you how to make a Moscow Mule keto. For a non-keto Moscow Mule, just replace the sugar-free ginger beer with regular ginger beer.
Add lime
This step is a little “extra,” and you can easily skip it if you’d like. For the absolute best lime flavor, squeeze the fresh lime juice into your Moscow Mule copper mug, then toss in the rest of the lime. Yes, this does mean you will have some pulp, but the lime peel provides a ton of flavor!
If you are using bottled lime juice or would prefer to not have the pulp, skip this step and add lime with the other ingredients in the next step.
Add remaining ingredients
On top of the squeezed lime, pour in ice and vodka. If you can use crushed ice, that’s best because it’ll make the drink super cold, exactly way a Moscow Mule should be. Finally, top with ginger beer and have a quick stir to chill the entire thing.
Serve
A lime wedge or slice is the perfect garnish when serving this drink. A sprig of mint adds a touch of color and a great flavor if it’s stirred in, too!
This Moscow Mule would be delicious paired with so many foods! Many Asian cuisines rely on heavy ginger and lime flavors, so it amps up that same flavor profile in the Mule. Fresh seafood is an excellent pairing as well, but it works the opposite way — It is so neutral and fresh, it lets the drink be the star. Keep scrolling just past the printable recipe card for links to the BEST recipes for this cocktail.
If you like this Keto Moscow Mule, you’ll love these recipes:
- Keto Lemon Drop – Just 1.9 net carbs for this super bright, sweet and sour cocktail.
- Keto Margarita – You’ll love this classic for Taco Tuesdays — Only 1.4 net carbs, too!
- Basil Whiskey Sour – This herby drink is super refreshing and just 1.3.
- Strawberry Rose Limeade – 3.2 net carbs and full of delicious fruity flavor.
- The BEST Keto Cocktails – Tons of low-carb, keto-friendly cocktails you’ll want to try for your next happy hour or party!
FAQ’s about Moscow Mules
The Moscow Mule is meant to be enjoyed as cold as possible. Copper does a great job of keeping drinks cold because of its thermal conductivity properties. It doesn’t make your drinks cold, but putting a cold drink with ice into will help the drink stay super cold for much longer than glass or plastic.
No, a Moscow Mule is delicious in pretty much any kind of cup, glass, or mug you prefer! If possible, choose a cup that will help your drink stay cold, even if it’s not the perfect copper cup.
If you have crushed ice available, that’s best. Crushed ice keeps the drink super cold, just like the traditional Moscow Mule is supposed to be. However, regular ice works just fine — It’s even what I used for convenience’s sake. I wouldn’t use oversized ice as it melts too slowly to keep the drink super cold.
Keto Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- ½ lime or 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces vodka can reduce if you prefer
- 4 ounces sugar-free ginger beer chilled (or sugar-free ginger ale)
- Ice crushed if possible
Instructions
- Squeeze half of lime into a mug or glass, then drop the entire half lime inside.*
- Add ice and vodka to the glass, then top with cold ginger beer.
- Stir and garnish with a lime slice/wedge.
Notes
Nutrition
What food goes with a Moscow Mule?
Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
This Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad features fresh cabbage, carrots and bell pepper, all topped with a creamy peanut dressing! This easy recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken or veggies and is perfect for meal prep. It doesn’t share any ingredients with a Moscow Mule, but they definitely complement one another.
Salmon with Jalapeno Lime Butter
This Salmon with Jalapeno Lime Butter is the perfect quick and easy low carb dinner. At less than one net carb per serving this recipe fits perfectly within a keto diet. This meal takes the spice up a notch when the jalapeno in the butter meets the ginger from the drink!
Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork Tenderloin is an effortless Asian-inspired dish that is the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Each serving has less than 3 net carbs each. The bright lime flavor and spicy ginger work great with the tender pork.
Baked Parmesan Crusted Halibut
Try this Baked Parmesan Crusted Halibut for a low-carb, keto dinner ready in just 20 minutes! This easy seafood dish is just 3 net carbs per serving. The fresh, neutral taste of halibut makes it the perfect protein to pair with a mule when you really want the cocktail to shine!
Keto Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry
Keto Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick and easy one pan recipe that has about 6 net carbs per serving! Loaded with vegetables and a sesame garlic sauce, this will become a family favorite. This meal works so well because both seafood and soy sauce work beautifully with ginger!
Asian Pork Tenderloin with Air Fryer Vegetables
This Asian Pork Tenderloin with Air Fryer Vegetables is the perfect 15 minute meal! This weeknight dinner recipe is healthy, low carb and gluten free. The cinnamon and nutmeg in the rub bring out a great warmth in the Moscow Mule.
