I was originally interested in it because I saw a photo of the Moscow Mule in a book, and after reading the history of the drink, I was even more charmed. It originated in a pub that was a favorite hang for co-eds at my alma mater when an unusually large shipment of ginger beer proved hard to move, as did a shipment of Smirnoff vodka. Put the two together with a twist of lime, and you have the Moscow Mule.

I don’t generally drink Smirnoff, so I substituted Ketel One for my version. I did, however, get Cock ‘n’ Bull ginger beer—the ginger beer originally used in this recipe—which was a minor source of pleasure.

2 oz vodka
ginger beer
squeeze lime

Mix all ingredients in a highball glass and garnish with lime.

My first go-round with this resulted in an unnaturally high vodka-ginger beer ratio, which is not a terribly pleasant drinking experience. It tastes something like a watered-down vodka tonic. I upgraded to a bigger glass and added more ginger beer and a little more lime, turning it into a slightly sweet, tangy drink that is dangerously light and tasty. I could easily see myself drinking these to stay cool on a hot day, winding up drunk and/or dehydrated from half a bottle of vodka.

Definitely a drink for late afternoons sitting on the porch during the summer.