We Got the "Beet": Beet Moscow Mule

Are you a Moscow Mule enthusiast? This delicious twist on a classic "mule" includes the traditional flavors of ginger, lime, and vodka with the earthy sweetness of beet simple syrup and fresh mint leaves. 

Why add beet simple syrup? The beautiful beet adds a delightful earthiness married to spicy ginger beer (despite the name, it is non-alcoholic), fresh mint, and lime juice.

Beet Simple Syrup is easy to make and if you wish to eliminate the sweetness factor, replace simple syrup with cold-pressed beet juice. Plus - adding the antioxidant-rich veggie adds some nutritional value to this refreshing drink. Beets are filled with vitamins and minerals offering numerous health benefits. They can’t be “beet”!

Although Moscow Mules are made with vodka, legend has it that the "mule" doesn't actually originate from Moscow but rather it is believed that this craft cocktail hails from America. Either way, served with its signature copper mug and ginger flair, this cocktail has gained vast popularity. Moscow Mules are refreshing and offer the perfect amount of ginger spice. Yum!

Cocktail Options

• for more ginger love, add 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger. Kapow!

• for less sweetness, use 2 oz beet juice rather than beet simple syrup.

• look for ginger beer that uses raw cane sugars rather than filler sugars.

Mocktail Options

• replace vodka with tonic or carbonated water. Add extra ginger beer and lime juice for flair.

• add fresh orange juice to create a delightful ginger, citrus, and mint mocktail version of the "mule."

For more cocktail/mocktail recipes featuring the beet, try the following:

• SMOKIN’ HOT BEETA-RITA (BEET MEZCAL MARGARITA)

• PRETTY IN PINK: PICKLED BEET DIRTY MARTINI

• "BEET" THE HEAT: BEET JUICE, BLOOD ORANGE, AND LIME SLUSHY VIRGIN MARGARITA

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BEET MOSCOW MULE RECIPE

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INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz Tito's Vodka

• 4 oz (1/2 - 3/4 cup) ginger beer

• 1.5 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 oz beet simple syrup

• muddled mint leaves and lime wedges

• candied ginger for garnish (optional)

• ice for shaker

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake shake shake! 

2. Pour over ice in copper mugs.

3. Garnish with extra mint, lime wedges, and candied ginger.

Cheers to picnics, barbecues, family/friend time, and delicious Moscow Mules!

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STILL THIRSTY?

Smokin' Hot Beeta-Rita: Beet, Mezcal, and Jalapeño Margarita

Smoke out and spice up with a delicious Beeta-Rita (Beet Margarita)! Mezcal, tequila's smokin' "sister," adds an epic campfire flavor combined with refreshing citrus, earthy and sweet beet simple syrup, and a KAPOW kick of hot pepper. Planning a summer barbecue or picnic in your backyard? This Beeta-Rita cocktail may be your new best friend! 

Is There a Difference Between Tequila vs. Mezcal?

What's the difference between tequila and mezcal? Tequila and mezcal are often made from the same kind of plant; however, they taste quite differently. Tequila is made from blue agave, but mezcal can be made from various agave varieties. Furthermore, when making tequila, agave hearts are often steamed; whereas, agave hearts are wood-roasted for mezcal. This wood-roasting practice is what gives mezcal its signature smoky flavor, and the signature smoky essence is what makes this spirit uniquely perfect for creating a delicious Beeta-Rita (beet margarita).

There are many ways to serve margaritas, but this one is best served on the rocks with a coarse salt rim and topped with extra jalapeños! For extra spice and flavor, shake up all ingredients in cocktail shaker and refrigerate for an hour or two. This allows the jalapeño slices to marinate and adds fantastic spice (but not too much) to the beet simple syrup and citrus combination. If you wish to create a less sweet (sans simple syrup version) replace beet simple syrup with fresh beet juice (about 2 oz). Yum! 

This recipe uses Fidencio Mezcal for its beautifully balanced blend of smoky flavor and a clean crisp finish, perfect for this unique beet cocktail.

Thirsty for more fabulous veggie cocktails? Try these delicious BEETastic drinks: The Final Frontier: Beet "Tom Collins" Martini, Pretty in Pink: Pickled Beet Dirty Martini, and We Got the "Beet": Moscow Mule.

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SMOKIN’ HOT BEETA-RITA: BEET, MEZCAL, AND JALAPEÑO MARGARITA

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INGREDIENTS (serves 1-2, depending on glass size)

• 2 oz Fidencio Mezcal (or a preferred brand)

• 2 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 oz beet simple syrup

• 4 oz fresh orange juice

• 4-5 muddled jalapeño slices (5 + for extra heat!)

• lime salt or kosher salt (for rim)

• sugar (for rim)

DIRECTIONS

1. With a lime wedge, rub a rocks or margarita glass around the rim. 

2. Rim with salt or salt/sugar combo. 

3. In a shaker, combine mezcal, lime juice, orange juice, beet simple syrup, muddled jalapeño slices, and ice cubes. Shake! 

4. Strain into a rocks or margarita glass over fresh ice or serve straight up. Garnish with a lime wedge. Add extra jalapeño slices in glass for added spice! 

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SPICY BEETA-RITA MOCKTAIL 

Not a fan of alcohol? Create a refreshingly fabulous Beeta-Rita Mocktail.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz beet juice*

• 3 oz lime juice

• 2 oz orange juice

• 1 oz agave nectar

• salt and/or sugar for rim

• 4-5 muddled jalapeño slices (5+ for extra heat!)

* For a quick mocktail or if a juicer isn't handy, use cold-pressed beet juice (Like Love Beets, etc.). You may also use store-bought orange juice and apple juice (preferably 100% juice without added sugar). 

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix beet juice, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar in margarita or juice pitcher or shake in a shaker cup with ice. 

2. Muddle jalapeño slices with a dash of lime juice and add to the mix to marinate for a few minutes. Leave in for extra heat or remove before drinking.

3. Salt/sugar each glass rim and serve over ice or blend with one cup of ice for a blended Beeta-rita! 

Enjoy! 

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STILL THIRSTY?

The Final Frontier: Beet "Tom Collins" Martini

Looking for an "out of this world" craft cocktail? This Beet "Tom Collins" Martini transports your taste-buds to infinity and beyond! 

Capturing the "Tom Collins" classic ingredient profile, The Final Frontier is a delightful combination of Drizly's Tanqueray Gin, fresh grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and beet simple syrup. Beet simple syrup? What??? Yes! Deliciously sweet, subtly earthy, and vibrantly colorful, beet simple syrup is a fantastic replacement (and a dash healthier) for white sugar in cocktails and mocktails. For this cocktail, beet simple syrup pairs well with gin's botanical essence and the sweet yet tart citrus flavor. 

Thanks to the fabulously inventive internet-based alcohol delivery service, Drizly, you can have gin delivered to your front door without ever changing out of your pjs! Known as the "Uber of liquor," Drizly delivers your favorite ingredients (wine, beer, liquor, etc.) to your home in about one hour or less. It may not be light speed, but delivery is super fast! The app is easily navigated online and its mobile app. Plus - this company continually demonstrates superb customer service and offers great product prices.

Not a gin fan? For a mocktail option, serve this drink sans gin for a refreshingly vibrant beet grapefruit juice. Like a Shirley Temple, this mixed drink has stunning presentation!

For more veggie-inspired cocktails, try a classic cocktail with an un"BEET"able twist: Pretty in Pink: Pickled Beet Dirty Martini. 

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BEET “TOM COLLINS” MARTINI RECIPE

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INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup ice

• 2 oz Tanqueray Gin

• 3/4 oz lemon juice

• 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 1/4 - 1/2 oz beet simple syrup

• 1/2 oz tonic water (club soda for a sweeter taste)

DIRECTIONS

1. Add gin, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, tonic water (optional) and ice cubes to cocktail shaker.

2. Either drink on the rocks or strain into a chilled martini glass.

3. Drizzle beet simple syrup into cocktail glass.

4. Garnish with fresh lemon slices

5. Enjoy!

This post contains sponsored content brought to you by Drizly but all opinions are 100% our own. For further information please see our Disclaimer page.

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STILL THIRSTY?

Pretty in Pink: Pickled Beet Dirty Martini

Vegetables in cocktails? Is this a thing? Absolutely! For veggie (especially beet lovers) and classic cocktail enthusiasts this is a dream come true. Beets are uniquely sweet, interestingly earthy, and vibrantly beautiful - a stunning addition to your favorite mixed drink.

Capturing the clean simple taste of a classic dirty martini, this cocktail "twist" contains a crisp and savory flavor with a subtle dash of sweet beet finish. Pickled beet brine contains a little garlic and a lot of dill, so it’s perfect for a dirty (or filthy) martini.

Plus- a Pickled Beet Dirty Martini is magical. Yes, magical! Like the "horse of a different color" from The Wizard of Oz, this drink's hue continually transforms into various shades of pink and red after the addition of skewered red pickled beets. For different colors of pink or red, use the gorgeous pink and white striped Chioggia beets for a light pink beet brine (used for this recipe) and use red beets for a dark crimson brine. If you use red beet brine, the color will be much darker. Chioggia beets are so beautiful and fun to use in recipes; however, they cannot always be found in markets. Look for pink beets (Chioggia beets are solid pink on the outside with pink and white stripes inside when sliced).

If you aren’t a fan of making homemade pickled beets, use brine from purchased pickled beets. However, store-bought pickled beet brine is often saltier, so you will need to adjust brine taste accordingly. Our Pickled Chioggia Beets are delightfully savory. This recipe uses plenty of garlic and dill to create a super yummy brine that you will definitely want extra dirty!

Pickled beets can be canned either roasted or raw; however, the color will vary with roasted beets. The flesh of roasted beets becomes a pale pink while raw Chioggia Beets maintain their bright pink hues. Choosing whether beets are raw or roasted is also based on preference. Raw pickled beets are crunchy; whereas, cooked pickled beets are smooth and tender. It’s up to you for the type of beet flair and flavor you wish to add to your martini!

When crafting this cocktail, we chose an affordable vodka with clean smooth taste. This delicious martini uses Tito’s Handcrafted Vodka, but you can use your preferred vodka. The taste is crisp and clean paired with delicious brine from Pickled Chioggia Beets.

Although you can always hop in your car for a supply run, you may want to stay in your pjs and order from home using a fabulous delivery service, such as Drizly. This inventive internet-based alcohol delivery service (known as the "Uber of liquor") is super helpful, and yes, they do check ID! Have a hankering for some wine, beer, or spirits but don't want to leave the comforts of your home or pjs? Pull up Drizly online or use the app to order your favorite ingredients and have them delivered without ever leaving your house.

Pickled Chioggia Beets with Garlic and Dill (No Added Sugars)

We know that your heart will “beet” for this delightful martini, but if you’re in the mood for other fabulous cocktails using beets and/or are feeling adventurous for unique drinks, add these cocktails to your must-try list:

Turn Up the Beet: Roasted Beet Chipotle Bloody Mary - a fantastic way to incorporate more veggies into your favorite Bloody Mary recipe or try our recipe with a little extra chipotle spice!

Smokin’ Hot Beeta-Rita: Beet, Mezcal and Jalapeno Margarita - who doesn’t love a sweet and spicy margarita? This one is extra special using the natural sweetness of beets for a beet simple syrup paired with smoky mezcal and spicy jalapenos.

The Final Frontier: Beet “Tom Collins” Martini - this gorgeous drink is both aesthetically pleasing AND tasty. It contains fresh grapefruit juice with a splash or two of homemade beet simple syrup, and the result is out of this world!

Can’t decide which beet cocktail to try, check out 7 Tasty Beet Cocktails You Need to Try for National Cocktail Day!

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PRETTY IN PINK: PICKLED BEET DIRTY MARTINI RECIPE

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INGREDIENTS

• 2.5 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka*

• 1.5 oz pickled beet brine (2 oz or more for extra dirty)

• splash of dry vermouth (optional)

• skewered pickled beets

* Tito's vodka is vegan! It is made from 100% yellow corn and does not contain any animal products.

DIRECTIONS

1. Add vodka, brine, and dry vermouth (optional) to a cocktail shaker with 3-4 ice cubes.

2. Either drink on the rocks or strain into a chilled martini glass.

3. Garnish with pickled beets and fresh dill.

4. Enjoy!
   

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STILL THIRSTY?

Beet Simple Syrup

DO-IT-YOURSELF BEET SIMPLE SYRUP

This is one un"BEET"able syrup, perfect for mixing in cocktails, as a topping for pancakes and waffles, and for D-I-Y natural red food coloring. You just can't beat the beet! 

The red beet's gorgeous color and sweet flavor is a beautiful gift from mother nature. Although I am an advocate for low-sugar diets, simple syrups are often used in cocktails and mocktails, so it seems perfect for the beet to take center stage as a unique and vibrant addition to mixed drinks.

Plus using beet juice instead of water in a simple syrup recipe improves nutrient content, provides a delicious taste, and serves as a great all-natural red food coloring. Beet juice simple syrup is great to have on hand when needing pink/red dye for cupcakes, extra pizzazz on your favorite pancakes, or as in ingredient in your next martini or mojito. The options are endless! 

Try Beet Juice Simple Syrup for Do-It-Yourself Natural Red Food Coloring recipes or in your favorite cocktail, such as The Final Frontier: Beet "Tom Collins" Martini. Bottoms up! 

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BEET SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE

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INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup fresh beet juice*

• 1/2 cup refined or cane sugar**

• 1/2 cup water (optional - for a “thinner” consistency)

*For a quick ready-to-drink juice option, use fresh beet juice from a local juice bar or from the market featuring brands such as Beet-It Juice or Love Beets Juice.

**Beets contain natural sugars, so this simple syrup requires less sugar utilizing the beetroot's natural sweetness. For a sweeter syrup, use a 1:1 beet juice to sugar ratio. 

DIRECTIONS

1. Juice freshly washed and chopped red beetroots. If using a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix or BlendTec, beets may be blended rather than juiced. Strain any remaining pulp to create a smooth liquid.

2. Over medium heat, combine sugar and beet juice. Stir until sugar is blended well. 

3. Bring the ingredients to a boil and then remove from heat. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. 

4. When cooled, store syrup in a glass container in the fridge. This simple syrup will keep for a few weeks. To last longer, add a splash of vodka. 

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