Bursting with the vibrant flavors of ripe strawberries and aromatic basil, this non-alcoholic Strawberry Moscow Mule Mocktail is a delightful alternative for any occasion. With the zesty kick of ginger beer, and a hint of lime, this mocktail promises to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your mocktail game to new heights.
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The classic Moscow Mule recipe brings together vodka and ginger beer, with a little fresh lime juice thrown in for fun. My Strawberry Moscow Mule Mocktail takes a step into quirky cocktail hour with an amazing homemade strawberry syrup with a hint of basil. The sweet strawberry basil syrup balances perfectly with the spicy ginger beer and gives the Moscow Mule a kick into Springtime!
I'd like to tell you a cute little story about the time I walked into this small neighborhood bar in Hollywood and, being new to the world of mixed drinks, I just ordered the same thing as the guy next to me, a Moscow Mule served in a frosty copper mug. But that would be a lie. I've never been to a bar in Hollywood and anyway I hate vodka. I just wish I had a cute little story, but I do have a cute little mocktail, so let's focus on that.
(p.s. Using a copper mug for this, or for traditional moscow mules is purely optional. The Internet will tell you that using a copper mug for the classic cocktail is important because it is a good insulator and excellent conductor of temperature. Hogwash!
The copper mug connection came about because a young immigrant from Russia met the creator of the Moscow Mule, a British Expat, in his bar in Hollywood. That part was real. She had a whole bunch of copper mugs from her family factory back in the mother country that she couldn’t sell. So, a girl walks into a bar, many copper mugs are sold, and a perfect drink is born. It's just really good marketing for the copper mug industry if you think about it)
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❤️ What you'll love about this Strawberry Moscow Mule Recipe
- Simple - From making the easy strawberry basil syrup, to making individual mocktails, there is nothing complicated about this.
- Quick - Once you have the strawberry basil syrup made, you can enjoy a Strawberry Moscow Mule Mocktail any time you want.
- Bright flavor - My method for making strawberry syrup extracts every little bit of strawberry flavor, with the perfect hint of basil!
- Versatile - There are so many ways to play with this recipe, from flavored seltzers, to different fruits and herbs.
- Fan favorite! - This non-alcoholic Strawberry Moscow Mule Mocktail is the perfect thirst quencher for everyone in your group - kids and adults!
Ingredients
It usually takes very few ingredients to make the perfect cocktail. Skipping the alcohol makes your list even shorter! Use the best ingredients you can afford. If you can't spring for fresh berries and citrus, but frozen fruit and bottled lime juice are in your budget, you can still make this virgin strawberry mule cocktail.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Love this mocktail? Buy extra strawberries so you can make my Strawberry Mimosa Mocktail! It's like a refreshing sip of Summer with a tangy zip of lemonade!
Substitutions
Sometimes you can't find everything on the ingredients list, even a short one like this. Whatever your situation, here are a few ways to make your virgin Moscow Mule dreams come true:
- Sugar - You can substitute the granulated sugar with a one-to-one zero-sugar sweetener, such as Stevia.
- Fresh strawberries - No fresh fruit? Not strawberry season? Frozen strawberries are an amazing alternative. Frozen at the peak of freshness, they always bring the flavor! I personally freeze my own Summer strawberries for just such an occasion, but store bought still makes a delicious drink.
- Sparkling water - If you want to up your strawberry flavor, you could even use a strawberry sparkling water.
- Fresh limes - In a pinch, if you can't find fresh limes, or the ones at the store aren't very juicy, you can use bottled lime juice. Just buy the best you can afford.
- Basil - If you don't like basil, you can skip it or even substitute for mint, which is very good friends with lime.
Variations
The fun thing about a mocktail, or even a cocktail, is nothing is written in stone. We're here to have fun! Here are a few ways to change things up:
- Kid friendly - Some kids may have a bit of a problem with the zip of ginger beer, ginger can be "spicy". Try replacing your ginger beer with ginger ale. Its sugary sweetness is a perfect counterpart to the lime juice.
- Bring the heat - Add a couple of slices of jalapeño when making your your strawberry syrup. Then, when making your mule, rub the rim of your regular glass or copper mug, with a lime wedge, and dip it in a dish of spicy and citrusy Tajin.
- Raspberry mint - Make your syrup with raspberries instead of strawberries and replace the basil with fresh sprig of mint for a refreshing change of pace!
- Booze it up - After adding in your strawberry syrup and lime juice, go ahead and pop in some vodka. Traditionally it's about an ounce, but who's watching you pour? Not me!
Instructions
If you want to look cool, you can always use a fancy cocktail shaker. It's not required, but looking cool is its own reward.
Step 1: In a small saucepan, add strawberries, sugar, and water. Turn heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat, stir in basil leaves, and cover pan. Allow strawberries and basil to steep for one hour.
Step 2: Place a wire mesh strainer over a medium measuring cup that holds at least 2 cups. Pour strawberry syrup through wire mesh strainer and let drain naturally. Do not press through the strainer or your syrup may turn cloudy.
Step 3: Transfer to a resealable jar and allow to cool.
Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks. (Makes 2 cups of strawberry syrup)
To a tall glass, or traditional moscow mule mug, filled halfway with ice, add strawberry syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. Top with club soda, stir to combine, and serve with a lime wheel and a sliced strawberry on the rim and a sprig of fresh basil. You have just made the most refreshing cocktail... and you can still drive.
Expert tip: Making a Pitcher of Mule Mocktail
This Strawberry Mocktail Mule is a real crowd pleaser, so why not make a big pitcher for sharing? Here's how:
To make a full pitcher of Strawberry Moscow Mule Mocktails (serves 8)
Mocktail ingredients
- 16 ounces fresh strawberry syrup
- 4 ounces lime juice (juice of 4 limes)
- 24 ounces ginger beer (two 12 oz bottles)
- 16 ounces sparkling water
Fill a glass pitcher part way with ice. Add strawberry syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. Top with club soda, stir to combine. Serve in tall glasses or traditional copper mugs. Garnish with strawberry and lime slices and sprigs of fresh basil.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use store-bought strawberry syrup?
Yes you can, but check to make sure that you are getting a flavored strawberry syrup meant for cocktails and coffee drinks, such as Torani brand. Otherwise you may accidentally make a cocktail with strawberry pancake syrup. I'm not mad about that, but I think we'd have to rename the drink.
How long can I store strawberry basil syrup?
Plain simple syrup lasts for up to a month when refrigerated, but infusing the syrup with fruit greatly reduces the amount of time you can safely store it. The best practice is to place leftover strawberry basil syrup in a clean container in the refrigerator and label the jar with a date 2 weeks in advance.
Yes. You can also store syrup for 3 to 6 months in the freezer. If freezing, make sure there is at least an inch of space above the liquid to allow for expansion as it freezes.
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I appreciate you!
-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Moscow Mule Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
Strawberry syrup
- 1 pound of strawberries hulled
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup plain water
- 10 to 12 basil leaves
Individual Mocktail
- 2 ounces strawberry syrup
- ½ ounce lime juice juice of ½ a lime
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- 2 ounces sparkling water
Garnish
- sliced lime
- sliced strawberry
- basil leaves
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add strawberries, sugar, and water. Turn heat to medium high and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for five minutes. Turn off heat, stir in basil leaves, and cover pan. Allow strawberries and basil to steep for one hour.
- Place a wire mesh strainer over a medium measuring cup that holds at least 2 cups. Pour strawberry syrup through wire mesh strainer and leave the strawberries and basil behind. Do not press the leftover fruit in the strainer as your syrup may turn cloudy.
- Transfer to a resealable jar and allowed to cool before covering and refrigerating for up to two weeks. (Makes about 2 cups of strawberry syrup)
- To a tall glass, or traditional copper mug, filled halfway with ice add strawberry syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. Top with club soda, stir to combine and serve with a slice of lime and a sliced strawberry on the rim and a sprig of fresh basil.
Save This Recipe! 💌
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Notes
- 16 ounces strawberry syrup
- 4 ounces lime juice (juice of 4 limes)
- 24 ounces ginger beer (two 12 oz bottles)
- 16 ounces sparkling water
Gena G says
This mocktail is a perfect summer mocktail. It was simple and fool proof to make. The whole family loved it.
Cynthia Christensen says
I’m so happy that everyone enjoyed it! ❤️