Frozen Moscow Mule
A frozen Moscow Mule with vodka, ginger syrup and lime, topped with ginger beer and served in a copper mug — sized for Margaritaville machines.
Jump to recipe ↓The Moscow Mule — vodka, ginger beer and lime — is one of the best-selling cocktails in the US, and frozen it becomes a spicy, frosty slush.
Blending ginger beer kills its fizz and foams over, so ginger syrup carries the flavor through the machine and ginger beer goes on top.
Frozen Moscow Mule recipe
Ingredients (3 drinks)
- 4½ oz vodka
- 2½ oz fresh lime juice
- 2½ oz ginger syrup
- 2 oz water
- 3 oz ginger beer (to top, not blended)
Plus: a full ice reservoir. Garnish: Lime wedge, mint sprig. Glass: Copper mug.
Instructions
- Fill the ice reservoir.
- Add vodka, lime, ginger syrup and water to the jar.
- Run the cycle.
- Pour into copper mugs and top each with 1 oz ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime and mint.
How much to make in your machine
Every Margaritaville frozen concoction maker is designed around a particular volume of liquid — the shaver portions ice for it. The table scales this recipe to the margarita liquid volume printed in each model’s manual (Key West DM1000 / DM1946 3 × 12 oz drinks: 9.75 fl oz; Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM2000 3 × 12 oz drinks: 13 fl oz; Tahiti DM3000 per 24 oz jar: 8.67 fl oz; Bali DM3500 half chamber: 11 fl oz; Bali DM3500 full chamber: 22 fl oz). Amounts are rounded to the nearest ¼ or ⅓ oz.
| Ingredient | Key West DM1000 / DM19463 × 12 oz drinks | Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM20003 × 12 oz drinks | Tahiti DM3000per 24 oz jar | Bali DM3500half chamber | Bali DM3500full chamber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vodka | 3¾ oz | 5 oz | 3⅓ oz | 4⅓ oz | 8⅔ oz |
| fresh lime juice | 2 oz | 2¾ oz | 2 oz | 2⅓ oz | 4¾ oz |
| ginger syrup | 2 oz | 2¾ oz | 2 oz | 2⅓ oz | 4¾ oz |
| water | 1⅔ oz | 2¼ oz | 1½ oz | 2 oz | 3¾ oz |
| ginger beer (to top, not blended) | 2½ oz | 3⅓ oz | 2¼ oz | 2¾ oz | 5¾ oz |
Scaling is our calculation, not a manufacturer recipe. Fruit- and ice-cream-heavy drinks vary more; adjust with the Shave Only / Blend Only controls. The Key West DM1900 isn’t listed because we haven’t verified its manual yet.
Machine notes for this drink
- A carbonated ingredient foams when blended. Pour it into the jar last, down the side, and stay well under the fill line — or blend without it and top each glass with soda instead.
- This batch uses about 11.5 fl oz of liquid for 3 drinks. If your drink comes out watery, the manuals’ first fix is to follow the recipe volumes or manually shave more ice; if it’s too stiff, add liquid and Blend Only.
Why this recipe works
Ginger syrup is concentrated, so the frozen drink tastes as gingery as the original without losing carbonation.
About vodka slushes
Vodka is the easiest spirit to freeze-blend because it adds alcohol without flavor. That makes the fruit and citrus the stars — use the best juice you can. Keep vodka near a third of the liquid for a slush that holds its shape.
Tips for the best texture
- Make ginger syrup by simmering ½ cup sliced ginger in 1 cup simple syrup for 15 minutes.
- Chill copper mugs in the freezer.
- Spicy ginger beer gives the best top.
- Mint adds aroma.
- Never put anything but ice in the ice reservoir, and don’t fill the jar past its maximum line — both are warnings in every manual.
- Too thin? Hold the toggle in Shave Only for a few seconds, then Blend Only to mix it in. Too thick? Add an ounce of liquid and Blend Only.
Serving & make-ahead
Garnish with lime wedge, mint sprig and serve in a copper mug. Vodka slushes are a natural for pitchers and parties: mix the juice base in advance and keep the vodka in the freezer so it goes in ice-cold. Mason jars and highball glasses suit the casual style, and a citrus wheel on the rim is all the garnish you need.
Variations
- Kentucky mule: Use bourbon.
- Mexican mule: Use tequila.
- Strawberry mule: Add 1 cup frozen strawberries.
Mocktail swap
Skip vodka; add 3 oz extra water and top with ginger beer.
Frequently asked questions
Why not blend ginger beer?
It foams and goes flat.
Copper mug needed?
No, but it stays cold longer.
Strength?
1½ oz vodka per drink.
How much ice should I put in the machine?
Fill the ice reservoir with ice cubes — the machine shaves the amount it needs for the cycle (dial models size it to the 1, 2 or 3-drink setting). The manuals recommend ice that has been out of the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
Will this work in a regular blender?
Yes — add about 1½–2 cups of ice per 12 oz drink and blend until smooth. The texture will be coarser than shaved ice.
Please drink responsibly. Alcoholic recipes are for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Never drink and drive.
