Oh Hai! I thought I’d take a break from my total slothitude (not a word? Don’t care I’m using it because that’s how I roll this week) to bring you this delicious low carb Moscow Mule cocktail!
It took supreme effort to drag myself back to work mode to write this post. Between binge watching Person of Interest on Netflix for days, and some epic Words with Friends matches with my in laws who have been visiting from South Carolina the last few weeks, I’m exhausted.
#lazinessishard
MY LATEST VIDEOSAlso my vocabulary is saturated with superfluous words that I would never actually use in real life. Not of my own making mind you, I’m cursed with lousy letters most of the time so I’m busting out words like BUM and HEN. My in-laws threw up some truly brobdingnagian terms though, which scored a bajillion points and made me feel real dum. 😂 👊 🙌
To drown my melancholy wretchedness, I mixed up a pitcher of these low carb Moscow Mules, which were scrumptious with a piquant heat from the ginger syrup and a pleasant viridity from the fresh mint.
#allthebigwords
Moscow mules are relatively new to me, and to be 100000000% honest I only made them because I wanted to have an excuse to buy these super cute hammered copper mugs that they are traditionally served in.
Because it’s all about the props amiright? My fellow bloggers and food photographers know what I mean. Any excuse to go props shopping! 🙋 🙋 🙋
Don’t get hosed though – I’ve seen these mugs for as much as $50 each which is frankly a total ripoff. I ended up getting mine at TJ Maxx for $10 each, and I’ve seen them at Target for around the same. I wish I’d checked Amazon first because they have this set of four SOLID (mine are only plated) copper Moscow Mule mugs on sale for $34.00 from the regular price of $190.00! #score
So if you don’t yet have your very own set of Moscow Mule mugs, get them ASAP because you can use them year round and they are great for kids and around the pool in the summer because they don’t break like glass!
While you’re shopping for your mugs, you may also want to get some giant ice cube molds – they are better in drinks because they melt slower and don’t dilute your bevvie as fast if you’re a slow sipper rather than a gulper.
Also they make you look tres chic because regular ice cubes are SO 2015.
I love the square cubes that I just got and used in these Moscow Mules, but I also have these sphere ice cube molds which I used all summer long in margaritas and rusty nails on the lake. They are also fun for kids, who get a huge kick out of them, and it’s easy to freeze fruit or herbs into them to up your cocktail game even more. 🍸 🍸 🍸
In case you’re new to Moscow Mules like I was, they are traditionally made with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. YUM.
Since I love the ginger flavor and sugar free ginger beer is pretty much impossible to find, I made a concentrated sugar free ginger syrup, which I added to vodka, lime juice, and diet ginger ale.
BAM. GINGER. IN. YOUR. FACE.
I also added a garnish of fresh mint that I muddle around a little in the mug, which gives it a festive Mojito flair – making this my new year-round cocktail of choice!
So while the mugs and ice cubes make these low carb Moscow Mules super fun – they aren’t necessary. In fact, I would pretty much drink these out of a dog’s slobbery water bowl if it came down to it.
#dontjudge
You’ll know what I mean once you try them!
Low Carb Moscow Mules (Sugar Free)
A low carb vodka cocktail flavored with ginger, lime and mint. Refreshing and festive!
- Yield: two 7 oz drinks 1x
- Category: Low Carb Cocktail
- Cuisine: No idea
Ingredients
For the Ginger Syrup:
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced, peeled ginger
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute (I used Swerve)
For the Moscow Mule:
- 4 oz premium vodka
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz ginger syrup (recipe above)
- 8 oz diet ginger ale
- fresh mint leaves to garnish
Instructions
For the Ginger Syrup:
- Combine the ginger, water and sweetener in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cool for 1 hour, then strain and store in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
For the Moscow Mules:
- Combine the vodka, lime juice, ginger syrup and ginger ale in a small pitcher. Stir well.
- Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint. For a stronger mint flavor, muddle (smash) the mint leaves around in the bottom of the mug slightly before drinking.
Notes
Approx nutrition info per 7 oz serving: 134 calories, 0g fat, 1.5g net carbs, 0g protein
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Have you ever frozen the ginger syrup? This is really great, but makes more than we can use in a reasonable time…
★★★★★
So perfect. Thank you!
I thought vodka alone for 4ounces has 261 calories??? Love your receipt and charm however ;)
You are correct, but as you can see from the serving size, this recipe makes two drinks.
Very funny…. i decided to have Moscow Mules this summer just so i could have an excuse to buy an 80 dollar hand-hammered copper pitcher and mugs from Turkey. I had never even heard of a Moscow Mule before. I made my first batch the other day and wasn’t too thrilled with them, i think i put in way too much vodka. I might try your recipe here, but what i’m really looking for is a recipe for homemade low carb ginger beer, is it even possible??? If not i might have to just leave those many containers of your Turbo soup (which i will be commenting on soon, hehe) in the freezer while i satisfy my craving for ginger beer. I’m not interested in food at all right now, the only thing i want is GINGER BEER!!!
Look for Zevia brand ginger ale. They also have every other imaginable flavor. I don’t ysually drink soda but these are taste great with no guilt!
These are fantastic! The ginger syrup makes such a big difference. I had been making low-carb Moscow mules just using vodka, lime, mint and diet ginger ale, but your syrup makes them really taste like a true mule. Thanks so much!
★★★★★
Made these last night for company and they were a big hit! I used Zevia Ginger Ale which is made with stevia. I might also try making it with a diet ginger beer – there are a couple of brands that are sold at Total Wine and also on Amazon. Thanks for this awesome recipe!
★★★★★
Great recipe for keto! It’s actually good you only got the plated mugs! Copper mixed with acid like limes creates a poison 😮
★★★★
Melissa I’ve been enjoying all of your recipies thank you for sharing I just made the blood orange cake (20d try 1st one stuck to pan was so good had to try again). This one is so cute and Moro orange so flavorful and pretty. I’d love to send a picture. I’m now making some meatballs (yours again) to get ready for a busy week. Love them and this diet is working.
You know I really had noo clue what was in a Moscow mule. I have seen all the mugs around. like some fad and everyone has to have them. I think they are pretty and now I might buy some since everything is in there I LOVE. I dont much drink, but, these could be made sans alcohol. I do know where to find ginger beer (yep even sugar free) and I drink it when I get by that shop!
★★★★★
We make these all the time with Tito’s or Breckinridge GF vodka, lime and Diet Cock & Bull ginger beer (our local Kroger carries it). Delicious and guilt-free!
I made these yesterday, very tasty!! The ginger syrup is incredible. I didn’t know I liked ginger. Heck. I thought I hated it!! Maybe I just needed a good recipe to use fresh ginger in. Any other recipes to use the ginger syrup with? I mean, I COULD use it in these Moscow Mules, but it’s just me, and you know what they say about drinking alone (You get more for yourself!)
You can use it in muffins or other baked goods for fall and winter – and I LOVED it in some chai or pumpkin spice tea when it was cold and dark outside after dinner or even in the morning! Or of course for more Moscow Mules! ;)
You are so AWESOME! Made these this weekend, we had been doing KETO/Primal for the last 6 months and I have dropped 82 lbs.! My wife and I wanted to celebrate and vodka or tequila was going to be an answer. Your recipe for the syrup was incredible! A new staple in the fridge! Also, my wife doesn’t like DIET soda, so, we subbed Ginger Ale “10”. Don’t know if available all the time but there are 1) Dr. Pepper-10, 2) A&W-10, 3) 7-UP-10, 4) Ginger Ale-10. They taste SOOO much better that their diet counterparts! Many thanks! Compared to a “Sangria Twist” my wife had at a local Mexican restaurant (46 carbs), she loves these Mules! We already love Mojitos and this is very similar. Again, thanks so much!
★★★★★
Substitute the vodka for a blanco tequila for a Mexican Mule. It’s awesome!
For anyone reading this on or around June 22, 2016, the set of four copper mugs on Amazon that Mellissa said were $34.00… they are currently $13.99. For a set of four! Happy Solstice! I love your site, Mellissa!
★★★★★
Unfortunately, they aren’t solid copper if that’s what people are looking for. They were incorrectly advertised and look to have been updated recently. :(
Thank you. Not only that, they never arrived. After waiting nearly three months, I tried to contact the seller (Jojo’s something), and got an email from Amazon that they were no longer affiliated with Amazon, so there was no way to contact them. Of course, Amazon came through and gave me a full refund.
OMG, love Moscow Mules, these are the bomb! I have always stayed away from diet sodas. I can handle diet tonic with fresh lime, so I gave it a whirl, the fresh mint and all. I was pleasently suprised at how delicious it was. My husband even thought it was good and he doesn’t like Mules.
★★★★★
Right?!?! Super refreshing! Thanks for letting me know it was a hit with both you and the hubby!
We made these for friends last night with muddled jalapeno instead of mint and they were a big hit! We all loved them. The ginger syrup is ingenious. Thank you!
★★★★★
can’t wait to try this for making Dark & Stormys too (just the dark rum version of a mule, really) this is happening tonight!!! thanks love.
First sugar free Mule recipe we’ve seen. Pretty crafty idea taking a sugar substitute and mixing it with H2O and fresh ginger to make a syrup…curious as to how “gingery” it can get to offset the fact you’re using ginger ale and not ginger beer (which typically has a stronger ginger bite). We’ll definitely give this one a try. Nice work Mellissa
★★★★★
Ohhh this looks so deliciously awesome luuurve ginger and those mugs are bomb. This is going straight to the top of my pinned pile! Thank you!
Made these last night…just Yum!
Thank you for yet another delicious recipe Mellissa!!!!
★★★★★
OMG… Just made this… ssoooooo gooood!
★★★★★
I feel refreshed just being here! Happy New Year, lovely lady. I’m sending you best wishes for 2016… xox
Thanks girlfriend – looking forward to being entertained by more Movita hilarity next year! 😘
Love this! I did a very similar recipe recently. as they’re one of my favourite cocktails and I really wanted to enjoy them over Christmas!
Happy New Year, I have loved following your blog over the last year and can’t wait to see what you come up with next year!
Farah
http://www.vatkinary.com
Thanks so much Farah!
You are my hero!!! These are my absolute favorite drinks! Which I have not had in quite a while :'( I cannot wait to try these. I’ll be going to the store tomorrow :D and now I know exactly what to put in the list :* xoxo
★★★★★
So glad Melisa – let me know how you liked this version!!!
Thank you so much for posting this – my husband loves these but not all the sugar! The Ginger beer has an enormous amount of sugar, so this is perfect! He got some copper mules for his birthday so we are set!
I hope these are a hit with the hubby Shelby!!!
Diet Gosling’s Ginger Beer is available on Amazon and is sweetened with sucralose. It’s not inexpensive, but it is excellent when you don’t have time to make your Moscow Mule with this recipe! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for that Martha – gotta love Amazon!!!
Found the diet Gosling’s at my local store. I bought a case! Moscow mules will be my summer drink and I love the mint idea to make it cool and refreshing. Thanks, Martha and Melissa!
★★★★★
Person of Interest is a family favorite of ours and we are a little worried it will be cancelled since the new season isn’t starting until mid-season. Also, we got a Belgian Malinois this past year because of Bear. 😊
I’m assuming these taste just as good without the vodka? I don’t drink (anymore). Plus, it would be neat to share with the kids.
BTW, I’ve been seeing these Moscow Mugs a lot this Holiday season and had NO CLUE what they were. Thanks for the info!
Amber
I was midway through Season 3 and was bummed to be almost finished and just got a notice that Netflix just got season four up! I may or may not have yelled WOO HOO out loud in my office ha ha! This is an awesome drink with or without the vodka for sure! It’s like a refreshing ginger limeade without it! Enjoy! And I’m super jelly of your Belgian Malinois!!!!!
I have been WAITING for a low carb moscow mule recipe! They are so yummy and refreshing. And now I have no excuse! It’s hard to find really good ginger beer that isn’t full of sugar. Thank you and Happy New Year!
I hope it lives up to your expectations Susannah – I LOVED them!!!!
I’ll have to try the syrup option. We can get diet ginger beer here in Oshkosh WI, but it totally kills the flavor of the drink.
Agreed – that’s why I love the ginger syrup, it’s almost all ginger and just a hint of sweet that’s perfect with the lime and mint! Hope you like it!
I wonder if I could you a little more ginger syrup and then use club soda? I really don’t like low cal drinks… :)
Definitely Janet!!!
Can u use ginger out of a tube?
No tube
You need to buy fresh ginger