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Thirst-Quenching Blood Orange Moscow Mule Recipe

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With fresh blood orange juice, vodka and ginger beer, this Blood Orange Moscow Mule is full of bright flavor and the prettiest color. This citrus twist on a classic Mule cocktail is one of my favorite seasonal drinks to make each year and can be made in 5 minutes!

Close up of a copper mug with a cocktail topped with fresh mint and blood orange slices.

Every time I see blood oranges in the produce section I buy them. While the skin on the outside is often a variety of different oranges fading into red, the inside is just plain gorgeous!

After I made my Blood Orange Martini, I knew I would need to make a Blood Orange Moscow Mule too. Now it’s one of my favorite cocktails.

Why this recipe works

Easy cocktails are my favorite! And this Blood Orange Mule is so super easy to make.

With vodka, fresh lime juice and ginger beer (what you need to make a Classic Moscow Mule), it’s easy to get creative by adding a variety of other flavors.

That bright orangey/red black coloring of a fresh blood orange is like nothing else! And the flavor is unique as well.

Grab your copper mug and try one of my favorite Moscow Mule variations as soon as you can! You don’t even need a cocktail shaker for this recipe! So easy.

Ingredient notes

Labeled ingredients to make a blood orange Moscow Mule cocktail.

If you can’t find blood oranges or they aren’t in season, just check the refrigerated bottled juice section. There might be some already squeezed for you.

If you can’t find blood oranges or juice, you can substitute fresh naval oranges, tangerines or other citrus related to the orange.

I don’t think the type of orange liqueur you use really changes the flavor too much. Triple Sec tends to be a little bit more inexpensive. But I already had Cointreau on hand so you can use what you have or what is cheaper.

I’ve seen a variety of flavored ginger beers on the market but I don’t love the flavors. I prefer traditional Ginger Beer.

How to make a Blood Orange Moscow Mule

Close up of fresh squeezed blood orange juice in a small bowl next to fresh fruit and a bottle of vodka.

If you can at all help it, use fresh blood oranges. Squeeze the fresh juice for the best, brightest flavor.

And, again, if you can’t find blood oranges, use another type of orange. These just have such an amazing color though!

Close up of an open vodka bottle next to other ingredients for an orange mule.

To a copper Moscow Mule mug, add ice then top with vodka and fresh blood orange juice.

A copper mug on a table next to ginger beer, fresh fruit and Cointreau.

Add the Cointreau and fresh lime juice. Then top with ginger beer.

Give it a quick stir then garnish. A fresh mint sprig is totally classic and smells amazing. Or you can stick to a simple slice of blood orange.

Top tips

  • Don’t have blood oranges? Just substitute with any other type of orange from a mandarin to a navel orange.
  • Using a citrus squeezer ensures you get the most juice out of your fruit. If the orange half is too large to fit, just cut it in half again to make a smaller section.
  • I rarely add a sweetener to my cocktails but if you need some, use simple syrup or agave.
  • Not a fan of vodka? Feel free to change out the liquor with something else that you love like bourbon or tequila.

Frequently Asked questions

What is the best vodka to use?

Use whatever vodka you like to drink on its own. I have a ton of vodka recipes on the blog and the flavor truly doesn’t change all that much based on the vodka you use.
If you truly have no idea where to start, I suggest Tito’s. It’s very popular and a decent price point.

When is blood orange season?

Blood oranges are grown in a variety of states. In California, the season is usually from December to May, depending on the weather. They are easy to find in your local grocery store.

And if you truly are having a hard time finding fresh fruit, you can make this Blood Orange Sorbet Gin Float instead. YUM

Why do you need a copper mug for Moscow Mules?

Copper mugs not only look pretty but help keep your drinks cold! The design and materials help to ensure that your hands don’t heat the cocktail up making it frosty and super refreshing!

Is ginger beer alcoholic in a Moscow Mule?

NO! Ginger beer is similar to root beer. It’s full of ginger flavor but is less sweet than ginger ale. There are a few “hard” ginger beers on the market that do have alcohol, but the typical kinds that you find in the soda aisle are not alcoholic.

A copper mug on a small marble tray with fresh blood oranges as garnish and around the glass on a table.

Try this Blood Orange Mule next time you’re looking for a refreshing vodka cocktail!

More Moscow Mules to try

And how refreshing does this Blood Orange Raspberry Spritzer sound by The Little Kitchen.

Still need more recipes and ideas? Check out my entire Cocktail Category or browse my Vodka Recipes, Wine Cocktails and Haus Cocktails.

Close up of a Blood Orange Mule topped with a blood orange slice and fresh mint.

Blood Orange Moscow Mule

This refreshing Blood Orange Moscow Mule uses gorgeous citrus to create a unique drink idea. With vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime juice, this cocktail is easy to make and delicious to sip all year long.
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Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 233kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Squeeze the blood orange juice.
  • To a copper mug with ice add vodka, blood orange juice, fresh lime and orange liqueur.
  • Top with ginger beer. (2-3 ounces depending on taste)
  • Garnish with a slice of blood orange and some mint.

Notes

  • Don’t have blood oranges? Just substitute with any other type of orange from a mandarin to a navel orange.
  • If you don’t have Cointreau you can use Triple Sec or any other citrus liqueur.
  • Using a citrus squeezer ensures you get the most juice out of your fruit. If the orange half is too large to fit, just cut it in half again to make a smaller section.
  • I rarely add a sweetener to my cocktails but if you need some, use simple syrup or agave.
  • Not a fan of vodka? Feel free to change out the liquor with something else that you love like bourbon or tequila.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
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