To many, the Moscow Mule is the perfect cocktail; there’s a reason this classic drink has recently been making a comeback. That sublime combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime served ice cold in a chilled copper mug serves up a crisp, refreshing taste with every sip, and a spicy kick of ginger on the side.

But even old favorites could use a little change to spice things up once in a while. And with summer quickly fading, we thought we’d give the season a send-off with one of our personal favorite Moscow Mule variations: the Raspberry Moscow Mule.

This fruity version of the Moscow Mule strikes a delectable balance between sweet and tart, making it the perfect cocktail for the transition from summer to fall. Here’s how to enjoy the delicious Raspberry Moscow Mule come winter, spring, summer, or fall.

Everything You Need to Know About the Refreshing Raspberry Moscow Mule

If you know how to make the classic Moscow Mule, the Raspberry Moscow Mule should be an easy follow-up with the simple addition of juicy, refreshing raspberries. While fresh raspberries are preferable (extra points if you picked them yourself!), frozen raspberries can be substituted if need be.

The basic ingredients of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice may remain constant across most Moscow Mule variations, but different brands of vodka and ginger beer have slight variations in flavor, some of which complement the sweet-tart taste of raspberries better than others. Here are a few of the vodkas and ginger beers we recommend for your Raspberry Moscow Mule.

The Best Ginger Beers

Choosing the right ginger beer to accompany your Raspberry Moscow Mule is perhaps the most important ingredient decision you will make. The recent ginger beer revolution has led to a number of new ginger beer brands, and it can be difficult to select the perfect accompaniment for each Moscow Mule variation. It takes a certain kind of ginger beer to complement the lime and raspberry flavors and give you the right amount of bite without being overpowered by the rest of the ingredients. Your ginger beer selection should allow the other fruity flavors in the Raspberry Moscow Mule to shine, not drown. Our recommendation? Sample from among this list of ginger beers:

• Gosling’s
• Q Ginger Beer
• Hollows & Fentimans
• Fever Tree
• The Ginger People

The Best Vodkas

The best vodkas to accompany your Raspberry Moscow Mule are the ones you can’t detect. Avoid that chemical, household-cleaner aftertaste of cheap vodkas by sticking with these tried-and-true brands:

• Ketel One
• Grey Goose
• Zyr
• Glen’s
• Smirnoff

Although many vodka brands, including Smirnoff, have flavored versions of their vodkas, we recommend using the original for this cocktail. Since you’re adding an infusion of fruity flavors from actual lime juice and raspberries, the artificial taste could just end up interfering with the real deal.

While there are a few different ways to prepare the Raspberry Moscow Mule, this simple, yet sophisticated recipe is our favorite. Start with a copper mug and add:

• 2 shots of vodka
• 1 shot of lime juice
• ½ shot simple syrup
• 10 raspberries
• ginger beer

Directions:

1. Muddle the raspberries and vodka in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the lime juice, simple syrup, and ice, and shake again.
3. Strain the concoction into a copper mug with ice.
4. Top off with ginger beer.
5. Enjoy!

We all know presentation is an essential part of enjoying your cocktail. If you’re feeling a little fancy, treat yourself to a garnish of fresh raspberries or a lime wedge.

Raspberry Moscow Mule Pairings

One of the things we love most about the Raspberry Moscow Mule is its versatility. Whether you’re planning a weekend get-together with friends, a special occasion like a birthday or shower, or holiday festivities for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s, the Raspberry Moscow Mule is sure to be a hit. The Raspberry Moscow Mule is especially fitting for an outdoor party, say in the backyard, in a garden, or on the waterfront, but its red and green color scheme and tart flavor lend it a special winter holiday appeal.

A party’s not a party without food, and the Raspberry Moscow Mule can be a great accompaniment to just about any course. For an appetizer, pair it with Emmental or Gruyere cheese. Side dishes with apples, apricots, carrots, or other berries are best seasoned with lemon, cinnamon, thyme, ginger, or vanilla. For the main event, anything from a roast chicken or veal to scallops or blue crab complements raspberries’ unique flavor profile.

Find tasty Moscow Mule variations fit for every occasion, mood, meal, and season on our recipe page. Or, get creative and whip up a brand new Moscow Mule of your own!