I love a good Mule in the summer, so I decided to give the classic cocktail a light floral spin with this lavender Mule! It’s all the classic flavors, like lime, mint, and ginger beer, paired with smooth vodka and a sweet floral note from lavender simple syrup for a spring and summer sip that’s always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fresh twist on a classic. I’m keeping the zingy lime and spicy ginger beer of a Moscow Mule, but adding a soft floral upgrade from lavender
- Perfectly balanced. The gentle sweetness of lavender smooths out the bite of ginger and citrus
- Crisp and refreshing. Bright, bubbly, and easy to sip, making it perfect for warm weather!
- Unique but approachable. Floral without being overpowering, so it still feels familiar and crowd-friendly
- Beautiful presentation. That soft lavender hue with a copper mug and citrus garnish makes it stand out
- Simple ingredients. Just a few components come together for a cocktail that feels elevated
- Great for entertaining. Easy to make for a group and perfect for spring and summer gatherings!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce lavender simple syrup (such as Torani)
- 2-3 ounces ginger beer (adjust based on glass size and desired strength)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Plain vodka is perfect, but you can also use lemon (citron), blueberry, or a lavender-infused vodka for extra flavor. Feel free to substitute gin as well (it’s not a true Moscow Mule then, but adds a crisp herbal note)
- Fresh lime juice is best for flavor, but you can use bottled if needed. Lemon juice can be substituted for a non-traditional yet still delicious option
- I use premade lavender simple syrup for convenience (sugar free works perfectly as well). However, you can definitely use homemade too! This amount will give you a soft (not prominent) lavender flavor – you can add more if desired, but use small amounts to taste so it doesn’t become too sweet or too floral
- For a much sweeter drink, you can use ginger ale instead of ginger beer, or use a ginger or lime sparkling or tonic water, or even ginger juice (non carbonated) to cut sweetness
Step By Step Instructions
- Fill your copper Mule mug (or similar) with crushed ice
- Add the vodka, lime juice, and lavender syrup
- Top with the ginger beer, and gently stir until mixed
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, lime slice or wedge, and culinary lavender sprigs if desired (optional). Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Light Appetizers
- Goat cheese crostini: Tangy, creamy cheese balances the floral and citrus notes
- Brie with honey: Soft, buttery cheese complements the gentle sweetness of lavender
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon: Sweet, salty, and refreshing
- Marinated olives: Briny contrast to the bright cocktail
Seasonal Dishes
- Strawberry spinach salad: Berries echo the floral notes while greens keep it balanced
- Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette: Peppery greens and citrus mirror the drink
- Grilled chicken with herbs: Light, savory flavors that won’t overpower the cocktail
- Caprese salad: Fresh, simple, and perfect with a crisp, bubbly drink. Try my Red White and Blue Caprese Salad for a great summer option!
Seafood Pairings
- Shrimp skewers: Light and slightly sweet, pairing well with citrus and ginger
- Fish tacos: Lime and fresh toppings complement the mule’s brightness
- Seared scallops: Delicate and slightly sweet with a clean finish. My Air Fryer Frozen Bacon Wrapped Scallops are another good choice!
Desserts
- Lemon bars: Bright citrus enhances the cocktail’s flavor.
- Shortbread cookies: Buttery and simple, letting the drink shine.
- Vanilla cupcakes: Light sweetness pairs well with floral notes.
- Berry desserts: Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries complement the lavender. Try my Air Fryer Mixed Berry Cobbler for the ultimate combo!
Occasion Vibes
Perfect for spring and summer gatherings, brunches, garden parties, or anytime you want something light, refreshing, and a little elevated!
Recipe FAQs
What Are Some Good Lavender Mule Variations?
You can easily customize a lavender mule by swapping or adding flavors. Try a berry lavender mule with muddled strawberries or blueberries, a lemon lavender mule for extra citrus, or a gin-based version for more botanical flavor.
You can also make it a mocktail by skipping the alcohol and using extra ginger beer or soda.
How To Make Lavender Syrup?
A lavender syrup recipe requires heating equal parts sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved, then adding culinary lavender (2-3 Tbsp) and letting it steep for 15-20 minutes. Use a strainer to remove the lavender solids and let the syrup cool before using.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.
What Alcohol Goes Well With Lavender?
Lavender pairs best with light, botanical spirits like gin and vodka, but it also works well with rum and even bourbon for a richer flavor. Sparkling wine is another great option for a light, refreshing cocktail.
Tips For the Best Lavender Mule
- Mule mugs can vary in size! You can adjust the amount of ice and ginger beer accordingly. For very large mugs, you may want to use 1.5x the other ingredients to preserve the ratio
- Ginger beer is both sweet and spiced, so if you find the drink too sweet overall, you can use some unsweetened sparkling or tonic water to balance it out. Plain, lime, or berry flavors work well!
Serving and Make Ahead
Serving Tips
- Serve in a copper mug or highball glass. Copper keeps it extra cold, but a tall Collins glass works great for showing off the color!
- Use plenty of ice. Fill the glass to keep the drink crisp and refreshing
- Serve immediately. Best enjoyed fresh while cold and fizzy!
Make-Ahead Tips
- Pre-mix the base. Scale for desired servings, and combine vodka, lime juice, and lavender syrup ahead of time and refrigerate
- Keep the ginger beer separate. Always add it right before serving to preserve carbonation!
- Prep garnishes in advance. Slice limes and portion herbs ahead of time for quick garnishes
- Chill everything. Cold ingredients mean less ice melt and a better-balanced drink!
Final Thoughts
This lavender Moscow Mule is a sweet, lightly floral twist on the classic cocktail, featuring vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Of course, you can customize it to your liking, such as trying gin, lemon juice, and swapping up the carbonated element to adjust the sweetness.
I add a sprig of fresh lavender alongside the traditional garnishes of lime and mint, for a drink that feels a little fancy, but is still super easy to make. It’s refreshing and perfect for spring and summer, and low-stress to offer to guests if you’re entertaining.
Katie’s tip
If you love the soft floral notes of this drink (or just have some leftover simple syrup to use), make sure to check out all of my Lavender Cocktails for other great drinks to try!
Lavender Moscow Mule With Vodka
Equipment
- Copper Mule mug (or similar)
- Spoon (cutlery; for stirring)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce lavender syrup (regular, sugar free, or homemade)
- 2-3 ounces ginger beer (adjust based on glass size and desired strength)
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- Fill your copper mug (or similar) with crushed iceCrushed ice
- Add the vodka, lime juice, and lavender syrup2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, ½ ounce lavender syrup
- Top with the ginger beer, and gently stir until mixed2-3 ounces ginger beer
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, lime wheel or wedge, and a sprig of culinary lavender if desired (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use plain, lemon (citron), blueberry, or a lavender-infused vodka for extra flavor. Feel free to substitute gin instead (less traditional but still fun)
- Fresh lime juice is best for flavor, but you can use bottled if needed. 1 medium lime usually gives about 1 ounce of juice
- This amount of lavender syrup yields a very subtle flavor. Add more as desired, but do so in small increments so it’s not too sweet or too floral
- You can use ginger ale instead of ginger beer, or use a ginger or lime flavored sparkling or tonic water to cut sweetness
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
