My Signature Cocktail: the Moscow Mule!

 I have a big announcement to make, the kind of announcement that requires standing on top of a chair and clinking a wine glass. Today, I would like to announce our signature house cocktail. According to Queen Ina (the expert in all matters culinary) every household needs a signature appetizer, entree, and cocktail, which your friends look forward to when they come to visit. I have been (im)patiently waiting to have that overwhelming sense of "this is it" until I tasted this refreshing drink out of the perfect mug. 

The moscow mule requires a special mug, which is totally fun and worth the investment. I bought mine on Amazon (here) for $18 dollars a mug. You also need to find a store that sells good ginger beer, I purchased a 4 pack of Reed's at the Fresh Market. 

ginger beer

Moscow Mule
serves 2

1 lime, cut into halves
4 ounces good vodka (we love Russian Standard) 
8 to 10 ounces ginger beer (D&G Jamaican brand or Reed's) 
Mint springs, optional garnish
Lime wheel, optional garnish

Squeeze half a lime into each mule mug, and drop in the rest of the lime. Add 3 large ice cubes, then pour in the vodka (2 ounces each glass) and top with cold ginger beer (4 ounces each glass).  Garnish with mint leaves and lime wheel. 

Click here to watch Oprah get creative on lime squeezin' for this bevie on a camping trip to Yosemite.