A Moscow Mule is a popular vodka-based cocktail that typically contains vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. But with its sweet flavor profile, many people wonder – is a Moscow Mule high in calories?
What’s in a Moscow Mule?
A traditional Moscow Mule contains just 3 main ingredients:
- Vodka – The original recipe calls for 2 oz of vodka
- Ginger beer – Generally 4-6 oz
- Lime juice – Around 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
These ingredients are quite low in calories on their own. A 1.5 oz shot of vodka contains around 100 calories. Ginger beer has 30-60 calories per 4 oz. And the lime juice adds just 4 calories.
So the calories can really add up depending on the exact amounts used. Overall, a standard Moscow Mule made with 2 oz vodka, 4 oz ginger beer, and lime juice has about 180 calories.
Factors that affect Moscow Mule calories
There are several factors that can alter the calorie count of a Moscow Mule:
Vodka amount
Naturally, the more vodka in the drink, the higher the calorie count. Many bars pour heavy-handed cocktails with 2.5-3 oz vodka or more. Adding an extra ounce of vodka tacks on roughly 75 additional calories.
Ginger beer
Not all ginger beers are created equal when it comes to calories. Some regular ginger beers have up to 30-60 calories per 4 oz serving. But there are also many “light” ginger beer options with minimal calories, like diet ginger beer, which has just 10 calories per 4 oz.
Sweeteners
Some Moscow Mule recipes call for adding simple syrup or agave nectar to sweeten the drink. Just 1/2 oz of simple syrup adds about 60 calories. Skipping these sweeteners altogether results in a much lower calorie beverage.
Fruit juice
Occasionally, other fruit juices like orange, pineapple, grapefruit or cranberry are used in place of fresh lime. These tend to contain slightly more natural sugars and calories than lime juice.
Soda water
Moscow Mules are sometimes made with soda water rather than ginger beer. Soda water has zero calories, so this reduces the calorie count substantially, often to under 100 calories total.
Mule mugs
Moscow Mules are traditionally served in copper mugs. The eye-catching mug encourages filling the glass to the top with ginger beer, which can mean 6-8 oz instead of a standard 4 oz pour. Those extra ounces of ginger beer can add 45-60 more calories.
Low-calorie Moscow Mule variations
There are easy ways to tweak a Moscow Mule recipe to create a lower calorie version:
- Use just 1.5 oz vodka instead of 2 oz
- Choose a light ginger beer or substitute soda water
- Skip the simple syrup
- Use fresh lime juice
- Ask for less ginger beer or avoid oversized mule mugs
With these simple downgrades, you can make a Moscow Mule with around 100-120 calories. That’s about 30-40% less than a standard Moscow Mule.
Calories in popular Moscow Mule variations
Beyond the classic Moscow Mule, there are many creative, modern twists using fruit juice or different spirits. Here are some popular variations with calorie estimates:
| Moscow Mule Variation | Estimated Calories |
|---|---|
| Original Moscow Mule | 180 |
| Cranberry Moscow Mule | 190 |
| Pomegranate Moscow Mule | 200 |
| Blueberry Moscow Mule | 210 |
| Peach Moscow Mule | 190 |
| Watermelon Moscow Mule | 190 |
| Ginger-Orange Moscow Mule | 200 |
| Strawberry Moscow Mule | 190 |
| Moscow Mule with Bourbon | 190 |
| Moscow Mule with Gin | 180 |
The fruit flavors add minimal calories and make for an appealing, flavorful low-calorie Moscow Mule. Using gin or bourbon instead of vodka also barely alters the calorie profile.
Alcohol content of a Moscow Mule
In addition to calories, the alcohol content is an important consideration for any cocktail:
- A standard Moscow Mule with 2 oz of 40% alcohol vodka contains about 1.3 oz of pure alcohol.
- For a light pour of 1.5 oz vodka, the alcohol content drops to around 1 oz.
- The alcohol content can creep higher with heavy 3 oz vodka pours.
Overall, even a strong Moscow Mule usually contains a moderate amount of alcohol similar to a 12 oz regular beer. So they typically won’t cause intoxication any faster than other mixed drinks.
Comparing calories in a Moscow Mule vs other drinks
At around 180 calories, a Moscow Mule has a similar calorie count to other popular cocktails and mixed drinks:
| Drink | Calories (8 oz serving) |
|---|---|
| Moscow Mule | 180 |
| Margarita | 170 |
| Piña Colada | 490 |
| Mojito | 240 |
| Long Island Iced Tea | 220 |
| Bloody Mary | 180 |
| Mimosa | 100 |
| Beer – lager | 150 |
| Wine – red | 125 |
| Wine – white | 120 |
The comparison shows Moscow Mules contain a moderate level of calories for a mixed drink. They have slightly fewer calories than notorious high-calorie cocktails like Long Island Iced Teas and Piña Coladas. But the Mule still packs more calories than lighter options such as wine, light beer or a Mimosa.
Tips for ordering a lower calorie Moscow Mule at bars
If you want to enjoy Moscow Mules without going overboard on calories or alcohol, here are some tips for ordering at bars and restaurants:
- Ask for less vodka – Request just 1.5 oz instead of the standard 2 oz
- Skip the simple syrup
- Ask for soda water instead of regular ginger beer
- Request a skinny mule mug instead of a copper mug
- Ask for extra lime juice instead of more ginger beer to fill the glass
- Avoid souped-up specialty Moscow Mules packed with extra ingredients
- Alternate with lower calorie drinks like sparkling water
Being mindful of how the Moscow Mule is prepared can make a big difference in the nutritionals. Many restaurants are accommodating to requests for lower calorie versions.
Should you avoid Moscow Mules for weight loss?
Moscow Mules don’t need to be avoided altogether if trying to lose weight. Some tips:
- Stick to just 1 Moscow Mule. The calories add up fast with multiple drinks.
- Enjoy them only occasionally as a treat in moderation
- Select lighter preparation options like less ginger beer and vodka
- Be mindful of your total caloric intake for the day when planning to enjoy a Mule
There are also many delicious zero-calorie or low-calorie Moscow Mule alternatives to aid weight loss, such as:
- Virgin Moscow Mule – Uses ginger beer and lime with no alcohol
- Skinny Mule – Prepared with diet ginger beer and less vodka
- Vodka soda with lime – Adds fresh lime for flavor
- Sparkling water with lime
With mindful ordering choices and moderation, Moscow Mules can still be enjoyed sensibly, even when pursuing weight loss.
Conclusion
A standard Moscow Mule containing 2 oz vodka, 4-6 oz ginger beer and lime juice equates to around 180 calories. This is a moderate calorie count compared to other mixed drinks. There are many easy ways to adjust preparation and ordering to reduce the calories in a Moscow Mule by 30-40%. Factors like the amount of vodka and ginger beer and added sweeteners significantly affect the calorie content. Overall, Moscow Mules don’t need to be completely avoided for weight loss, but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.