At Oxford Social Club, we have a thing for Mules. No, things didn’t just get weird. We’re talking about our many clever variations on the classic cocktail the Moscow Mule!

Ginger beer, lime, and spirits are the key components of a Mule cocktail, and it’s the perfect sweet-spicy flavor combination for a warm San Diego night in our Gaslamp Quarter cocktail bar and nightclub. Here, we’ll introduce you to our many creative variations on the cocktail, which are so popular we have an entire section of our menu dedicated to them!

(Source: Oxford Social Club Instagram feed)

What is a Moscow Mule? Before we discuss our creative variations on the cocktail, let’s make sure you know a little more about the original version. This will help you appreciate the creative variations on the Oxford Social Club menu all the more!

The traditional Moscow Mule is composed of ginger beer, lime juice, and vodka. While many establishments serve Moscow Mules in a copper mug, at Oxford Social Club we use more traditional glassware for ease of enjoyment in the club setting. While those ingredients are simple, they are mighty. Each component brings something different to the mix:

• Ginger beer: not to be confused with ginger ale, which is mild and sweet. Ginger beer is far spicier, and packs a flavor punch. It’s like an adventure for the palate. In spite of its name, ginger beer is not typically alcoholic (though some versions with alcohol do exist).
• Lime juice: Tart lime juice acts in tandem with the spicy ginger beer to create a pleasant pucker in this beverage.
• Vodka: The flavors of the ginger beer and lime juice pack a punch; the spirits are what give this cocktail its kick.

How did the Moscow Mule come to be? As legend goes, the Moscow Mule was created in the early 1940s via a creative meeting of the minds between a food and drink distributor and the proprietor of a restaurant named The Cock and Bull in Los Angeles’s famed Sunset Boulevard. They were trying to figure out a way to sell more ginger beer and more vodka.

After dreaming up the cocktail, they promoted it like nobody’s business. Because it was so simple and so delicious, it clearly didn’t take long to catch on with the public, and it quickly became a favorite menu offering. Its popularity spread far and wide. Today, the Moscow Mule is an international sensation.

At Oxford Social Club, the traditional Mule is our muse for several cocktail creations on our menu. Ready to discover them? Let’s go:

The creative Mules of Oxford Social Club. Here are some of the different Mules from our menu:

Golden Goose: This fragrant variation on the Mule is made with Grey Goose Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower, lime, and ginger beer

Why it’s memorable: The floral tones of the elderflower liqueur meld beautifully with the spiciness of the ginger beer, making for an earthy and fragrant cocktail.

Try it if…you like exotic flavors.

Razberri Mule: This bright Mule is made with Stoli Razberri Vodka, lime, and ginger beer.

Why it’s memorable: The raspberry-flavored vodka plus lime makes this beverage zippy in flavor; the ginger beer helps give it a pleasing spicy kick.

Try it if…you love bold, bright fruit flavors.

Sun-Ray: Instead of the traditional vodka, this delicious Mule is made with gin. It’s made using Tanqueray London Dry Gin, lime, and ginger beer.

Why it’s memorable: Crisp, juniper-rich London Dry Gin is the perfect complement to the spicy ginger beer in this creative cocktail.

Try it if…you love the herbal flavors of gin, jazzed up.

Obi-Juan: This intergalactically delicious concoction is made with Hornitos Plata Tequila, lime, and ginger beer

Why it’s memorable: Tequila and lime were meant to be together; the ginger beer is like a naughty but delectable dalliance.

Try it if…you like to get a little wild sometimes.

Kentucky Mule: A smooth, caramel-toned treat made with Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon Whiskey, Wild Turkey American Honey, lime, and ginger beer .

Why it’s memorable: The golden honey tones of the bourbon and honey-infused Wild Turkey add a depth and mellowness to the brightness of hte lime and spicy ginger beer.

Try it if…you like a little sweet with your tart.

Fighting Irish: An assertive variation made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, lime, and ginger beer.

Why it’s memorable: Bracing Irish Whiskey stands up to the assertive flavors of the cocktail and makes them kick even more!

Try it if…you’re ready to rumble.

(Source: Oxford Social Club Instagram feed)

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail legend. Its simplicity makes it open to endless variations that maintain the perfection of the original while also incorporating new flavors. Come sample the perfection for yourself at Oxford Social Club, where we have an entire menu section dedicated to this classic cocktail! 

Which is your favorite Mule cocktail variation?