Moscow Mule with a dried lime wheel.
The Moscow Mule is built for the back of the fridge on a warm day. Vodka, a squeeze of lime, and a long pour of spicy ginger beer over a mug packed with ice. The copper mug is tradition, not magic, but it does keep the whole thing colder for longer, which is the entire point.
The lime is usually a wedge dropped in to drown. A dried lime wheel does the work without the waterlogging: it floats on top, holds the colour, and adds rind aroma every time you lift the mug, instead of sinking into a soggy heap at the bottom.
What you'll need
- 50ml vodka
- 15ml fresh lime juice
- 120ml ginger beer, to top
- 1 dried lime wheel
- Ice, to fill
How to make it
- Fill a copper mug or a tall glass to the brim with ice. A packed mug dilutes slowly and stays cold.
- Pour in the vodka and fresh lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer, poured gently so you keep the fizz.
- Give it one slow stir to bring everything together.
- Float a dried lime wheel on top to finish.
Why dried beats fresh here
A fresh lime wedge gives you a quick hit of sour and then slowly leaks pith bitterness as the ice melts and the drink warms. A dried lime wheel keeps its oil in the rind, floats clean on the surface, and still looks sharp when you're down to the last inch of ginger beer.
Making a round for the deck? Build them straight in the mugs, top each with ginger beer, and drop a wheel on every one. No board, no knife, no soggy wedges left in the bottom.
Use the Lime jar, about 25 wheels, enough for a long run of mules.