Red Lobster Ruby Mule Recipe

When I first heard about the Red Lobster Ruby Mule, I was sitting at a table near the bar, waiting for my food.

I noticed a bright pink drink shining under the lights. It looked cool and refreshing. The server told me it was one of their most-loved cocktails – the Ruby Mule.

The Red Lobster Ruby Mule is a twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. Instead of using plain lime juice like the original, this version adds pink grapefruit juice. That’s what gives it the “ruby” name and its pretty pink color.

People at Red Lobster often order it because it feels light, fizzy, and perfect for sipping while waiting for seafood.

I used to think this drink was hard to copy at home, but it’s actually very simple once you know the right mix.

In this post, I’ll show exactly how to make it so you can sip the same bright pink drink without leaving your house.

Red Lobster Ruby Mule Ingredients

• Pink Grapefruit Juice – 1 Cup: This juice adds a soft pink color and a sweet-tart citrus flavor. Fresh-squeezed juice gives the best taste, but bottled juice works well too. Regular grapefruit juice can be used, though it may not have the same bright color.
• Vodka – 3 Cups: Vodka keeps the drink smooth and clean, letting the fruit flavors shine. Any decent vodka will work fine. For a lighter version, use less vodka or replace it with sparkling water or lemonade to make it non-alcoholic.
• Ginger Beer – 4 Cups: This bubbly drink is what makes a mule a mule. It’s stronger and spicier than ginger ale, giving the drink its fizzy bite. Choose a brand you like since some are more peppery or sweet.
• Fresh Grapefruit Slices: Thin slices of grapefruit are used for garnish. They make the drink look fresh and colorful while adding a light aroma. Use thin rounds or half-moons depending on your mug size.
• Ice for Serving: Lots of ice keeps the drink cold and crisp. Crushed or cubed ice both work well, but crushed ice melts faster, so use cubes if you want it to stay cold longer.

Equipment Needed

1. Pitcher – For mixing everything together.
2. Measuring Cups – Helps get the portions right.
3. Long Spoon – For stirring the drink gently.
4. Copper Mugs or Glasses – The traditional way to serve mules.
5. Citrus Knife – For slicing grapefruit easily.
6. Cutting Board – A safe spot to cut your fruit.
7. Ice Scoop or Tongs – To fill mugs with ice cleanly.

How to Make Red Lobster Ruby Mule

Step 1 | Prepare the Pitcher

Place a large pitcher on the counter. Make sure it’s clean and big enough to hold all the liquid. This recipe makes enough for a few servings, so a medium or large pitcher is perfect.

Step 2 | Add the Vodka

Pour 3 cups of vodka into the pitcher. Choose a good-quality vodka for a smoother flavor. It doesn’t need to be expensive – just clean and crisp.

Step 3 | Add the Ginger Beer

Next, pour 4 cups of ginger beer into the pitcher. Pour it slowly so the bubbles don’t overflow. Ginger beer gives the mule that nice spicy fizz.

Step 4 | Add the Grapefruit Juice

Add 1 cup of pink grapefruit juice to the pitcher. This juice gives the drink its pink shade and bright taste. The mix will turn a soft blush color right away.

Step 5 | Stir It Gently

Use a long spoon to stir everything together. Mix it just enough so the vodka, juice, and ginger beer blend well. Don’t stir too fast – you don’t want to lose all the bubbles.

Step 6 | Prepare the Glasses

Fill each glass or copper mug with ice. Don’t add ice directly to the pitcher because it may water down the drink over time.

Step 7 | Pour and Garnish

Carefully pour the chilled drink over the ice. Add a slice of fresh grapefruit to the rim or float one inside the mug. It looks lovely and adds a bit more aroma.

Now your Red Lobster Ruby Mule Recipe is ready to enjoy. It’s bubbly, fruity, and cool—a perfect mix for any day.

Pro Bartender Tips

• Chill Your Mugs: Freeze copper mugs or glasses for 15 minutes before serving. It keeps drinks colder and slows ice melt.
• Use Fresh Citrus: Fresh pink grapefruit juice tastes brighter and cleaner than bottled. Squeeze right before mixing or store for up to three days.
• Don’t Shake – Stir: Never shake carbonated drinks or they’ll go flat. Gently stir to keep the fizz.
• Adjust Sweetness: If your ginger beer’s too tart, add a touch of simple syrup, honey, or cranberry juice for extra sweetness and color.
• Make a Big Batch: Easily double or triple the recipe for guests. Keep it chilled and mix just before serving.
• Try Tequila: Swap vodka for silver tequila for a citrusy, earthy twist—like a ruby paloma hybrid.

Perfect Pairings with Red Lobster Ruby Mule

The Red Lobster Ruby Mule goes well with seafood dishes that have bold, buttery, or tangy flavors.

Red Lobster often serves it with shrimp platters, crab legs, or lobster tails because its crisp taste cuts through the richness of the seafood.

It also pairs beautifully with grilled fish, fried calamari, or even spicy Cajun-style dishes. The cool, citrusy flavor of the drink balances spicy food perfectly.

For a lighter meal, it tastes great beside salads or creamy pasta.

At Red Lobster, this drink is usually served cold in a copper mug with lots of ice and a pink grapefruit slice on the rim. It’s refreshing from the first sip to the last, especially with warm seafood dishes.

Red Lobster Ruby Mule Recipe FAQs

1. Is the Red Lobster Ruby Mule sweet or sour?

This drink sits right between sweet and sour. The grapefruit juice gives a mild tart taste, while the ginger beer adds spice and light sweetness.

Together, they make a balanced flavor that feels clean and bright without being too sugary.

2. What’s the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

Ginger beer is stronger, spicier, and less sweet than ginger ale. It’s brewed and fermented, while ginger ale is just carbonated water with ginger flavoring.

For this recipe, use ginger beer for its bold flavor. Brands like Fever-Tree, Gosling’s, or Bundaberg work great.

3. Is this drink very strong?

It’s moderately strong. The vodka is divided among several servings, and the ginger beer and juice mellow it out.

You can easily adjust the vodka—use less for a lighter drink or more for extra kick.

4. How do I make this recipe non-alcoholic?

It’s easy to make a non-alcoholic version. Skip the vodka and add more ginger beer or a splash of sparkling water instead.

You’ll still have the same fizzy, fruity mix. You can even add a little extra grapefruit juice for stronger citrus flavor.

5. Can I prepare it ahead of time?

You can mix the juice and vodka ahead, but always add ginger beer right before serving. This keeps the bubbles fresh.

Store the mix in the fridge and pour over ice when ready to serve. Add garnish last for the best look.

6. How long can the mixed drink be stored?

Best served fresh. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours but add ice when serving to keep it cold.

7. Why use a copper mug for serving?

Copper mugs keep the drink colder longer due to metal cooling fast. They also add a classic look connected to mule drinks.

This Red Lobster Ruby Mule recipe brings a bright, fizzy, and refreshing taste right to your home.

It is simple to prepare and offers the same flavor you see at Red Lobster. Using fresh ingredients and serving in a copper mug completes the experience perfectly.

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