Beat the heat with a refreshing twist on a classic! This Moscow Mule Float recipe takes the cocktail to a new level with the additional of lime sorbet.

Moscow Mule Float by Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth, a top lifestyle blog in Houston, Texas

Who doesn’t love a boozy float? It’s the nostalgia of slurping down soda floats, but with the perks of being an adult!

Turning your favorite cocktail into a float is always a fun way to beat the heat. We’ve done it before with our boozy salted caramel root beer float and boozy orange pomegranate float.

For citrus based cocktails, the easiest way to do these is by taking the sour and sweet ingredients from the drink and replacing them with sorbet. So I, Ashley, created this Moscow Mule Float Cocktail using tart homemade lime sorbet to make a citrusy, spicy, drink that is perfectly thirst quenching… and boozy!

If you are looking for an easy crowd pleaser for a party or frozen drink to indulge with on your own, this is just the cocktail you are looking for.

What is a Moscow Mule?

A Moscow mule is a popular and refreshing vodka-based cocktail known for its signature copper mug. The traditional Moscow mule‘s key ingredients are ginger beer, vodka and lime juice.

Moscow mules actually have an interesting history! They are styles of drinks called Bucks, which in this case a vodka buck renamed the Moscow Mule.

Although it was invented in NYC and not in Moscow, it is called such because of the country vodka originally hails from, Russia. The vodka mule was so popular in fact, it made vodka the most consumed spirit for many decades!

Ingredients Needed

For the float cocktail:

Ginger beer — Be sure to use ginger beer and not ginger ale. Ginger beer has a more intense ginger flavor than ginger ale. Ginger ale is flavoring added to club soda, while ginger beer is fermented ginger which gives it the fizz.
Vodka
Lime sorbet — Instead of the traditional lime juice, our Moscow Mule Float contains homemade lime sorbet. You can use store bought sorbet, but you will need to add a squeeze or two of lime to make it tart enough. Making your own is quite easy! Here are the ingredients needed below to do so.
Lime wheel — Optional for garnishing
Mint sprig — Optional for garnishing

For the homemade lime sorbet:

Sugar — To make your simple syrup
Water
Lime juice
Lime zest

How to Make Homemade Lime Sorbet

1 — In a saucepan, combine the sugar and the water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not let it boil. Allow the simple syrup mixture to completely cool to room temperature.

2 — Mix in the lime juice and zest. Refrigerate the sorbet mixture for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, for optimal chilling.

3 — Transfer the chilled sorbet mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This process can take 20-30 minutes, depending on your machine.

4 — Once churned, the sorbet will be soft serve consistency. Pour the sorbet into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until completely solid.

How to Make a Moscow Mule Float

1 — Add vodka and ginger beer to a chilled copper mug (or highball glass). Stir into well combined.

2 — Scoop the lime sorbet into the mug.

3 — Finish the drink with a lime wedge and a mint sprig (optional) for a refreshing touch.

Recipe Notes and Tips

To make this non-alcoholic: Omit the vodka and add 2 more ounces of ginger beer.
The iconic aspect of the Moscow Mule is the copper mug. The copper helps keep the drink icy cold, enhancing its refreshing nature. In a pinch, a highball glass can be used as a substitute. Ours are from Williams Sonoma (and currently sold out).
Adjust the amount of ginger beer according to your preference for a stronger or milder ginger flavor.
If using store-bought sorbet instead: Add a 1-2 squeezes of lime to make the cocktail tart enough.
You can substitute store-bought lime sherbet for lime sorbet if desired, although sorbet is typically less sweet and has a more intense lime flavor.
If you prefer a tarter homemade sorbet: Add slightly less simple syrup or a squeeze of additional lime juice.
Fresh is always best: Ripe limes will generally yield more juice.
Be aware that freezing time can vary depending on your freezer’s temperature.

Making a Large Cocktail Batch for a Party

If you are throwing a party, you can mix a large batch of the ginger beer and vodka together ahead of time. We like to scoop sorbet and ice cream beforehand and freeze them on trays so they harden again after scooping. This will keep them from melting too fast in a float on a hot day.

When it’s time to serve up the drinks, pour the premixed drink into mugs and add the scoops of lime sorbet and you and you’re guests are all set!

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