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Liven up any party with these refreshing Virgin Cherry Moscow Mules! With lime, ginger beer, and fresh fruit, they’re delicious and feel indulgent, especially on a hot day. Mocktails like this one are a bit of an obsession of mine. I’ve never been much for alcohol, so I always loved trying new virgin drinks. But since my Interstitial Cystitis diagnosis in 2014, anything that isn’t water always comes with a bit of risk. I only indulge when I’m very well hydrated and not in any pain, and I only drink a small amount, never going back for seconds. So when I’m choosing what to indulge with, the pressure’s on! It’s gotta be worth it, right? Well, in my book, you can’t go wrong with ginger beer and something fruity. Raspberries and blackberries work well here, too, if cherries aren’t your thing or just aren’t in season. Fresh or frozen fruit is fine, too. To your health!

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweet cherries: I prefer fresh cherries, but frozen ones work if they’re out of season or just too pricey. Just thaw them before muddling.
Lime juice: Fresh and bottled lime juice both work just fine. If you really, really don’t like or can’t get lime, you can use lemon, although lime is a key component of a traditional Moscow Mule.
Sparkling water: Any plain sparkling water will do. If you want to add extra flavor, feel free to grab a cherry- or citrus-flavored sparkling water, but make sure to check the ingredients if you’re on the AIP or another restricted diet.
Ginger beer: Ginger beer is non-alcoholic, despite what its name implies (or at least, like kombucha, doesn’t contain enough alcohol to warrant concern). It’s just water fermented with ginger syrup and yeast. Any brand is fine, but check the ingredients if you’re on the AIP or another restricted diet. If you want to go the extra mile, you can use homemade Ginger Beer.

Muddle. Combine the pitted cherries with the lime juice and smash them up with a muddler, then stir in the sparkling water
Prep the glasses. Add ice to copper mugs, then divide the cherry mixture between them.
Add ginger beer. Gently stir equal parts ginger beer into each glass.
Enjoy!

Like any Moscow Mule, these are great on their own, paired with a light appetizer or as an after-dinner drink. Try something like these Sour Cream and Onion Plantain Chips or a simple Garlic Artichoke Spread.

With sparking water and ginger beer, this recipe doesn’t keep very well. It’ll go flat, although it will still be tasty if you don’t mind losing the carbonation. If you made too much and simply can’t drink it all while its fresh, try turning the leftovers into ice pops.

Need a Break from Cooking?

Whether you’re traveling, moving, or just tired of spending so much time in the kitchen, 28 Days of No-Cook AIP can help. Designed for lazy days and/or a poorly-stocked kitchen, these simple dishes will make sticking to your autoimmune protocol during business trips, holiday travel, and times of illness or stress a lot easier!

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