Fresh grapefruit with a hint of rosemary shines in this easy ginger beer and vodka cocktail recipe. With only a few ingredients and a rosemary simple syrup, this grapefruit Moscow Mule is quick to pull together and is so refreshing!

A simple and beloved sipper at its most basic, the Moscow mule has many variations. With its punchy notes of ginger, I find it an easy ginger beer cocktail recipe to experiment with. Enter the season’s freshest of fruits and herbs: grapefruit and rosemary. But what is the best ginger beer to pair with this grapefruit cocktail? Read on and I’ll share my favorite!

Ingredients for this Ginger Beer Cocktail Recipe

The classic Moscow mule is made with three basic ingredients: vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. But for this grapefruit cocktail recipe, I’ve added a few more:

Vodka
Ginger Beer
Lime Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Fresh Rosemary
Rosemary Simple Syrup
Chunks of Ice

The rosemary simple syrup is optional, but I find it balances the sharp flavor of ginger beer and the sourness of grapefruit. Additionally, it’s another way to infuse the oils from rosemary into this flavorful vodka drink.

How to Make Rosemary Simple Syrup

This rosemary simple syrup recipe couldn’t be easier to make and it stores for weeks in the fridge. Adding seasonal herbs to your simple takes cocktails from ordinary to effortless fancy.

First, to a small sauce pot, add sugar and water in equal parts.
Next, bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until all the sugar is dissolved.
Drop in the rosemary sprigs and lid the pot for 10 minutes to steep.
Last, strain into a lidded and heat proof jar and store in the fridge to cool before using.

Make rosemary simple syrup up to two weeks in advance!

What is the Best Ginger Beer for a Moscow mule?

I’ve been a long time fan of Fever Tree Ginger Beer (not sponsored), so naturally I think it’s the best ginger beer to use in a Moscow mule. It’s mildly sweet with bold spice and gingery notes and it’s vegan and gluten free. Find this punchy mixer in the alcohol section at your local grocery.

Although its name suggests, ginger beer does not contain alcohol. Rather, it’s lovely as a non alcoholic mixer in beverages or is refreshing simply over ice.

Copper Mug or Not?

The classic Moscow mule is served in a copper mug simply because the copper mug quickly takes on the icy temperature of the drink, keeping this grapefruit cocktail chilled longer. I choose to pour my mules in a Collins or low ball glass just because these are what I have on hand.

How to Make a Rosemary – Grapefruit Moscow Mule

Because the flavors of ginger and grapefruit are loud, I incorporate rosemary twice to bring out its best in this ginger beer cocktail. So, I infuse the simple with rosemary, then to extract more rosemary flavor, I muddle rosemary with lime and simple.

First, make the rosemary simple syrup. Chill until ready to use.
Next, in a cocktail shaker or mixer, muddle the lime, rosemary and simple syrup.
Then, pour in the vodka and fresh grapefruit juice. Stir.
Double strain into an iced Collins glass or copper mug and top with ginger beer.
Last, garnish with a lime wedge and a rosemary sprig. Rosemary flowers too, if available.

Pro Tips

I can get about 1/2 C (132g) of juice out of one medium grapefruit. That’ll give you enough for about two and a half drinks.
Rosemary simple syrup can be made up to a week in advance and is easily doubled if needed.
This grapefruit juice and vodka cocktail can be made up to one day in advance without adding the ginger beer, stored in a lidded container. When ready to share, pour into a Collins glass or copper mug and then top with ginger beer.
Fresh squeezed grapefruit and lime juice are recommended for this cocktail recipe. When out of season, I use Lakewood pink grapefruit juice.
If needed, look for gluten free vodka. I like Tito’s.
Have you heard of an American mule? It’s the same as the Moscow mule!

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