Ending an emotional week with a light, fizzy drink and a giveaway for the beautiful Moscow Mule copper mugs you see in these photos. I very rarely drink alcohol anymore, not because I have much against having a drink on a special occasion, but because it throws me completely off track for the next couple of days – it’s a feeling of zero balance and uselessness in anything I try to do. A few years ago, I decided to take the matter into my own hands and not let myself feel that way anymore, thus the no drinking. During the holidays, though, I do like to make myself a special something to cheers with and sip on to get into a festive mood. My homemade kombucha always comes to the rescue in this department. This is the drink I’ll be making with it this year, with all the foundations of a Moscow Mule – ginger, lime, mint, plus some warming winter spices to add a bit of interest and a holiday spark. I use fresh ginger juice here, which adds that extra bit of kick and brightness to this drink. Before you get discouraged, making a small portion of ginger juice is super easy. All you have to do is run some grated ginger through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to extract a little bit of the juice. You can definitely make this mule into a boozy drink as well, just reduce the amount of kombucha and add vodka, about 1 part vodka to 3 parts kombucha, or whatever ratio you prefer.
Now onto the giveaway. The very nice people at Knooop are giving away a set of their beautiful, 100% copper, hammered Moscow Mule Mugs to two GK readers. The set also comes with a copper shot glass. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment here telling us about one special person in your life. It can be anyone from your mom to your neighbor, your pharmacist, or someone you encounter on your commute. Let’s spread some love! Giveaway is U.S. and Europe only and open until November 20, 2016.
Knooop is also offering a 20% off coupon, use code V3FU-AF2Y9P-4X2JWS at checkout here to get the discount, until end of December 2016.
Some links after the jump. Enjoy your Sunday :)
Remembering Leonard Cohen – this interview, this documentary, this video conversation, this song <3
Lo and Behold – just watched this great Werner Herzog documentary about the internet and its effects on our lives – terrifying and fascinating, highly recommended
20th Century Women – can’t wait to see this movie
Doing Well – new instagram crush, where Daphne Javitch shares her wellness wisdom, with fun visuals and lighthearted, inspiring tips.
Sarah Jessica Parker on the WTF Podcast
- 2½ tablespoons ginger juice, from approximately 4" piece ginger
- 3 cups kombucha
- juice of 2 large limes, plus more lime quarters for serving
- handful mint leaves
- freshly ground cloves - to taste
- nutmeg, cinnamon or both - to taste
- Shred the ginger. Place the shredded ginger into a piece of layered cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer, squeeze out the juice into a cup or bowl.
- Combine ginger juice with kombucha and lime juice in a large vessel and mix.
- Muddle some ice and chopped mint leaves at the bottom of each mug or glass. Distribute mixture between glasses. Grate fresh cloves, nutmeg/cinnamon over each mug/glass. Garnish with lime quarters, more mint leaves and serve.
My alcohol tolerance is pretty low too :P
Well, about a special person in my life…I can’t mention my soul mate. It can sound clichéd, but it’s totally true. He found me when I was broken and he patiently put together all the pieces. He’s the only person I trust.
My special someone is my husband. We just came back from a beautiful fall hike through the park nearby. But it
is hard to have just one special person in your life. I am so lucky I could keep naming all the wonderful and special people that touch my life. You do also, with your beautiful blog and posts. Thanks.
wow only yesterday have I thought about getting copper mugs and now I got this post in my Inbox. :) I guess all the good things come like that, unplanned in a way. My special person entered my life in the way I did not expect nor plan. And we met two or three times before we really met and connected to each other. And now we are married and live together and it all happened in less than a year. Just like that.:)
Cheers to our little bear who loves kombucha and brings so much life into our nest. Happy loving, cheering and connecting to one another.
I would have to say my dad. He is the one who inspired me to eat healthy and made sure he fed us well and gave us all kinds of crazy supplements as kids. Doing that as a single parent must have been even harder. But for kick-starting me into my love of nutrition, I can honestly never repay him. He did so much more, but that’s one very special thing about him and why he’s a special person to me. I’d love to win these copper mugs!!! :)
Cheers to our little bear who loves kombucha and brings so much live into our nest. Happy loving, cheering and connecting to one another.
Love this recipe! I just brewed a new batch of kombucha so this is so timely :).
It’s tough to choose just one special person in my life (I’m lucky!), but I’d have to choose my roommate Kali. We may not always see eye to eye, but she goes above and beyond to care for me in a subtle, but palpable way every day. Both her and I are highly sensitive people and we recognize that in one another. We both challenge and support each other and I’m happy to call her my roommate and one of my very best friends. I’d love to share a drink with her in one of these lovely mugs.
Thank you Anya, as always, for spreading the goodness.
The first person that comes to mind is honestly my mother. She’s the only one who’s always been there for me, through good and bad, supporting even my most dubious of ideas to the end. I would certainly raise a glass to her.
My momma! She is my best friend and no matter what makes me feel safe and loved :D
Oh, these copper mules are beauties … and the recipe sounds delicious!!
I am so lucky to have a lot special people in my life, but one in particular is my oldest and dearest friend … she is a bright light, who touches everyone she meets. Her sweetness, caring, humor and positivity always make me smile, and I am so fortunate to call her my friend.
My daddy. He is my rock and anchor in life. He always FaceTime me when I miss him-it’s my first year in college and the transition is hard-even though he’s busy and must work while he FaceTimes. He knows just seeing him makes me feel calmer.
The most special person in my life is my daughter. She is a beacon of light for me, and believes in me as no one ever has.
Love this. I can’t believe I only discovered moscow mules this year. I will have to try this kombucha version asap. Special person has got to be the husband. I hate be the cliche (lol glad to see by the comments I’m not alone), but he’s the real deal – smart, funny, best friend yadayadayada. Anyway, thanks for doing this!
These mugs are so beautiful!
The very special person in my life Id like to mention is my Dad. I moved back to the farm where I grew up to take care of my Dad who was diagnosed with Dementia. It has been 2 yrs now and although some days are quite challenging, but I wouldnt trade my decision at all! My goal is to take care of him as long as I can so he can stay here on the farm he loves and worked for 50 yrs.
My sister, who has stepped up in the past five days and committed herself to activism, to mobilizing and working towards a better future in a way she never has before. She gives me hope, as I know other people are doing the same, as we both are.
Thank you so much for the giveaway! One of my favorite people is my partner of 15 years. He cooks me dinner, gets me little gifts for no reason, always tells me I’m beautiful and loves our 4-legged kids and me without exception. :)
I have to mention two special names. The first one is my dad. My best friend. A man full of wisdom and integrity. The second one has to be my brindle English Bulldog, Brando. What a special friend! …Always sitting with me on the back porch picnic bench, watching the stars, keeping me company…..
I would love a set of these wonderful cups. My friend has a set and I absolutely loved using them. Thank you!
Those look and sound so delicious and the mugs are perfect! Sadly, this year has been the worst of my life. I lost my precious Nana on May the 2nd- just 14 days shy from her 81st birthday. All throughout life she as basically my mother, father, and grandmother figure in my life. She was the most important person to me and I miss her every second of my day. I am, however, so thankful that I had 24 years to spend with her!
would be my aunt she is such an inspiration to me
To be honest, the creature that puts a smile on my face and warms my heart every single day is my cat Oscar. He is 12 years old and full of spunk as well as a cozy relaxing friend. He greets me at the door, or comes running inside from the backyard when he sees me enter the house. His sweet meows greet me in the morning and evening unfailingly. But if I have to claim a human as my inspiration, I would have to say my 80 year old mother. Engaged, vital, interested, caring, active, full of vinegar. She is full of life and I love her.
My twin sister is my best friend. Before leaving for separate colleges together, we grew up together and were there for each other the whole time. We love cooking together, though I usually make things that she enjoys. In any case, my sister and I would love drinking some spiced kombucha together when we spend Thanksgiving together.
My special person is my husband. After 20 years, he’s still the one for me. :-)
One incredibly important person in my life is my fiancee. She is full of love, selfless, and so intelligent. She has been there for me through very rough times, and has been my best friend and rock for almost five years as she pushes me to achieve my dreams. Even through the grief and fear of current events, her warmth and love keeps my hope alive. I can’t wait to marry her and would love to give her the gift of one of her favorite drinks (mules) in these gorgeous mugs. She deserves far more and I hope to spend the rest of my life showing her that, but every little thing that can bring her joy brings me happiness.
My best friend is a wonderful, thoughtful woman who parents with love. I’m encouraged every day as she encourages her son to blossom as a generous, kind, caring young man who accepts others just as they are.
What a Beautiful mug! My special person is my husband. His unending support of our family and love of our daughter is Beautiful. We enjoy a nice evening by the fire sipping a warm beverage. Thanks!
Someone special is my Mom. In the days following the presidential election she has reminded me to remain hopeful and take action, be the change. These words have kept my sanity the last few days. Thanks Mom! I, too, limit my alcohol beverages but this recipe has me inspired to say the least!
As cliche as it sounds, my partner is my other half. He understands me better than I understand myself and helps become a better person everyday. I can’t imagine life without him!
Beautiful recipe, I use to brew kombucha as I like kombucha soaps even more than I like kombucha. I do like some good wine or beer on vacantion, but I don’t like the day after as most of the time I have headache ..a sign to stop drinking it!
My special person in my life is, without any doubts, my husband. I owe him so much!
Thanks for this giveaway, Anya!
I have a very good friend, Vicky, with whom I always drink Moscow mule. She will be moving away to another continent next year. Even if that is how life works and internet makes communication nowadays pretty easy, that will bring substantial change to my daily life. I will miss her a lot.
I’d say the special person in my life is my grandma. I learnt from her not to be broken, be always cheerful with a positive attitude, always search for the light in your life, and be grateful for everything you receive from life – bad and good, positive or negative because from everything you can learn, and everything helps you to be a better person.
My husband is my special on and my everything. I have gone trough depression and PTSD this year and he has been there for me. He brings me so much joy and laughter everyday and makes me feel better. I would not be here without him. He is okay if I am down but knows the right things to do. The best thing is, he brings me EVERY morning coffee to bed :D If I won I would give this prize for him. He has studied in Russia in Moscow and I am sure he would love these!
My lovely wife is the first person I think of. She brings out the best in me and each year that passes I fall more and more in love with her.
I’ve wanted to have these copper mugs for a few months now, but I could never find a proper reason to buy them (just buy them??). I have never had a proper Moscow Mule cocktail, yet the mugs definitely entice me to try it out.
This post is inspiring me to write about my significant other and partner for more than half a year. We’ve bonded over kombucha – he’s actually never had it before I bought one for him. Once he got a taste for kombucha, he started brewing his own. And then we moved in, and started both enjoying homemade kombucha, which is generally less flavorful than the store-bought kind, as its taste is derived solely from the teas used (+ sugar).
I believe both of us would revel in spiced kombucha moscow mules, as it contains some of our favorite foods: kombucha, ginger, mint.
my mother-in-law has been extra helpful and kind these past few weeks–she’s my favorite person right now!
My Special person is without a doubt my husband. He is the love of my life, best friend, and spiritual partner.
Not sure where to begin on all the special people in my life. The tough week made that even more pronounced. My mom is extra special right now as she moved nearby recently. In her 80s, she’s managed to make new friends and recover from a horrible 2015. She gave up her home of 50 years. She is an inspiration to me. Her resilience is remarkable. She is one of my many special people. Thank you for letting me share.
My husband,
There are no fulfilling words to describe my love for him.
I know he loves a few things nice in between a sea of non-importance for all things material. He is looking for special cups to fit with his teapot. I think these are amazing. Original , and very pretty.
Aaaaah a special someone. I can think only of one person: my grandma, who took us in with my brother and sister when we were little and had no-one else. A great woman that I hope can live for some more peaceful years with us.
My very special someone is my newly-husband, Sören. He is German and I am French, and we just moved on a neutral ground, a new country for both of us. Still, it is very cold and I would love to have these absolutely dreamy cups to warm us, with a hot chocolate in winter and some more funky drinks in summer.
Very best wishes,
Marie
My mom is a special person. She is always a source of support and inspiration for others regardless of her own battles.
I’ll have to check out that Werner Herzog doc.
My older sister is my best friend. We shared a common space grewing up together and were there for each other the whole time.
My special person is my partner. Without him I would be completely lost. I put him through so much and still he loves me unconditionally and always knows how to put a smile on my face.
There are lots of special people in my life, and it’s hard to pick just one. I have a co-worker whose quiet presence is really showing me a lot each day.
My mom is very dear to me. My #1 <3
I posted about how much I love my mom, Linda. Not sure if it went through.
One special person in my life is my best friend Mary who I met in 7th grade in 1976. It’s so special to share a 40 year friendship with her. We’ve been through the loss of parents, marriage, divorce, birth of kids, distance due to moving, yet we are always there for each other even if it’s only by phone sometimes.
What a lovely idea to share someone special! I’m going to give a shout out to two very special people, my twin younger sisters who fill my heart every day.
My special person is my Mom. She has always been my best friend and has always been there for me! I am lucky to have her in my life :)!
My mom-She inspires me each and every day to be a better person. She is the hardest worker and doesnt stop, hardly taking a break for herself in order to take care of everyone around her. She always puts everyone first
my pups – Bella and Bear – because they make me get out each day, laugh and interact with other people. And to watch the smiles they bring to others makes me smile as well.
My special people are my kids, love them!!
My boyfriend, who’s super sweet, and the most patient person I know :)