If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know that I can’t stop talking about Rachel’s Ginger Beer. I’ve had ginger beer plenty of times, but this stuff is my favorite. It’s zingy in a way that puts a smile on your face, both because it tastes good and because it makes your mouth pucker a tiny bit (a good thing.) I found their little shop right next to Pike Place Market on a work trip to Seattle, and wandered in completely on a whim. Best accident ever. They have the cutest storefront, and apparently have been in Seattle-area farmers markets for years.

And more importantly, every sip of this ginger beer is an absolute treat, and I’ve only ever bought the original flavor so far. The last time I was in, they had blood orange and cranberry pomegranate, I think. They also had a seasonal orange spice that was amazing heated up- I had a small sample. May need to buy more, for science. You can also buy the ginger beer in a glass growler and bring it back the next time for a refill at a discount (I am obviously doing this). Oh, and did I mention cocktails on tap? They have ginger beer cocktails on tap. Go there.

That’s what got me thinking about making my own cocktail at home with it – that and the fact that I would drink this every single day if I had more of it. So I started with a simple cocktail that is probably the best-known ginger beer cocktail: the Moscow Mule. I think it was the Esquire website that called it a “silly vodka cocktail.” I guess I like silly vodka cocktails sometimes. Now I just need some of those cute little copper mugs!