The Moscow Mule is a great cocktail and the simplicity of ingredients allows for so many variations. This Blueberry Mint Moscow Mule is a favorite; a must try!

Summer here means a lot of time working in the yard. With a relatively new yard that still needs work, I find my days are full and my energy is stretched thin. Add the heat and the absence of air conditioning in the house, and I appreciate a cool, refreshing drink all the more. That’s why this Blueberry Mint Moscow Mule was such a welcome treat when I finally made it.
I’m not complaining — at least not too loudly. When I bought this house I considered installing air conditioning, but I decided against it for personal and environmental reasons. My home is a ranch-style house tucked between taller homes, so I get some shade and protection. I’ve also been careful about energy use and wanted whatever system I added to be efficient and a good fit for my values.
I managed for a number of summers without installing a unit and learned to avoid things that heat the house up in the afternoons, like baking or long photo shoots. My studio faces southwest, and on bright summer days it can get warm and the light can be intense. Rushing through a shoot is never ideal, so sometimes that means waiting for a cooler moment to take photos.
Rushing is something I try to avoid with food and drink photography. When I have the time to do it properly, the result is always better — and worth the wait. This Moscow Mule post took a little longer than usual, but I think it was worth the extra day of patience.

I’ve grown to love Moscow Mules, even though my first experience with one was just a few years ago. The name comes from the use of vodka (hence “Moscow”) and the sharp ginger kick in the ginger beer (the “mule” of the cocktail). That ginger bite is central to the drink, but not all ginger beers are created equal.
A while back I tried a brand that had been sent to me as a sample; it was much spicier than I expected and included ingredients I didn’t love in a cocktail, so I went back to a ginger beer I prefer. For my drinks I like a ginger beer that shows clean, bright ginger flavor without being overly harsh. Paired with a smooth vodka, that balance makes a refreshing Mule.
Speaking of vodka, after trying Tito’s Handmade Vodka in a few cocktails, I agree with my neighbor Kevin — it makes a very smooth Moscow Mule. When combined with a bright blueberry-mint simple syrup and a good ginger beer, the cocktail comes together beautifully. The fruit and herbs add freshness and color while the ginger beer keeps the drink lively.

This Blueberry Mint Moscow Mule is simple to make and works well for entertaining or a quiet evening on the porch. The blueberry-mint syrup adds a touch of sweetness and color without overpowering the vodka and ginger beer. I enjoy experimenting with different fruit and herb combinations in Moscow Mules, and this one has become a favorite.
Cheers to simple, seasonal cocktails that are easy to prepare and a pleasure to sip on warm evenings.
More Moscow Mules!
- The Original Moscow Mule
- Cranberry Pomegranate Moscow Mule Cocktail
- Brown Sugar Moscow Mule with Roasted Pineapple
PIN IT! ‘Blueberry Mint Moscow Mule’


Blueberry Mint Moscow Mule
Ingredients
For the Blueberry Mint Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 sprigs mint (6–8 leaves)
For the Cocktail:
- 3 ounces vodka
- 2–3 tablespoons blueberry mint simple syrup
- 8 ounces ginger beer, chilled
Garnish:
- Fresh mint
- Blueberries
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Combine blueberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries break down and the mixture is fragrant. Remove from heat, add mint leaves, and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a container and chill until fully cooled.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, lime juice to taste (about 1/2 ounce per cocktail is typical), and 2–3 tablespoons of the blueberry-mint simple syrup depending on desired sweetness. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Fill chilled mugs or glasses with ice and strain the blueberry-vodka mixture over the ice. Top with ginger beer (about 8 ounces per cocktail). Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, a few blueberries, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately.