The genesis of the Moscow Mule is relatively uncertain, and there’s some debate on exactly who came up with this new refreshing cocktail. Moscow Mule is a brand of buck, also called vodka buck. This cocktail is served in copper mugs only.
Do you want to know why? In this post, you’ll see why you should use solid copper mugs and a Moscow Mule recipe to try out and enjoy the classic cocktail.
The History of Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is deemed to have originated in Manhattan, New York, around 1941. One version of its origination claims that Wes Price, the head bartender in Cock ‘n’ Bulls then, was the inventor. It says that Wes Price invented the cocktail recipe to dispose of the extra stock from the cellar.
Another rendition claims that John G. Martin, president of G.F. Heublein Brothers Inc, acquired the rights for Smirnoff in the late 1930s. However, he wasn’t fortunate with vodka since the Americans had no interest in it. Jack Morgan, the owner of the Los Angeles British pub, Cock ‘n’ Bull, was in the same predicament. He had a surplus of ginger beer but had few customers to consume it.
Martin and Morgan were already good friends when they linked up at Morgan’s pub to lament their woes and try to seek restoration for their respective products. While still talking, Sophie walked in with her solid copper mugs. Sophie was a woman on a mission who had migrated from Russia to the United States in search of a good market for her 2000 solid copper mugs.
After joining the conversation, the trio spent hours unfolding a drink that would merge the sparkling nature of:
- Ginger beer
- Vodka and the
- Copper mug’s cold features.
After their final attempt, they came up with a perfect combination of vodka and ginger beer served in a solid copper mug that helped maintain the coldness of the drink and intensified its flavor and aroma, a magnificent cocktail that America would gush over for many centuries to date.
With a surplus of ginger beer, vodka, and copper mugs, these business owners hatched a plot to eliminate their excessive products, and a delicious cocktail was born.
Why the Moscow Mule Mug?
This cocktail is famous because of the Moscow Mule mug. If you spot a copper mug anywhere, you instantly assume it contains a mule inside. Indeed, you can serve a Moscow Mule in whichever glass you have, but if you want to be classic, use a solid copper mug.
However, why is the solid copper mug used? It makes the drink seem colder and enhances its flavor and aroma, adding a sensory element to the drinking experience. It gives a cool sensation on every sip; the drink tastes colder when you take it using the copper mug.
Moscow Mule Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of vodka
- 3 ounces of ginger beer
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge
Instructions:
- Fill your copper mug with ice cubes
- Pour in the vodka and the lime juice
- Top off the mug with ginger beer
- Swirl a spoon once to mix the ingredients
- Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
Variations on the Moscow Mule
There’re various recipes that you can try out on your Moscow Mule. They include:
- Mexican Mule: Swap vodka for tequila. It’s bold and bubbly.
- Kentucky mule: Swap vodka for bourbon. It’s bubbly and bright with zingy lime and a spicy whiskey finish.
- Dark and stormy cocktail: Uses dark rum, ginger beer, and lime wedge. Serve it in a highball glass, and lime isn’t measured.
- French mule: Uses Cognac and Angostura bitters.
- Irish mule: Uses Irish whiskey.
- Gin-Gin mule: Uses Gin, mint, lime, ginger beer, and simple syrup.
- Mezcal mule: Uses mezcal, tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Jamaican mule: Uses spiced rum.
- Oaxacan mule: Uses mezcal.
- Watermelon mule: Uses vodka, watermelon, lime, and ginger beer.
Now that you know all about the Moscow Mule, make your cocktail, pour yourself a glass, and drink to greatness.
