Classic Moscow Mule Recipe

A Classic Moscow Mule Recipe

The traditional Moscow Mule is one of the easiest cocktails out there. You might say it has the ‘biggest bang for the buck’. For very little effort, you can have one tasty cocktail filled with flavour.

The spicy ginger heat is first and foremost in this cocktail, followed by the tang of sour lime. Both flavours combined with the intense sparkling carbonation make this drink incredibly refreshing.

Whether you’re a trained professional, or a backyard bartender you’ll love the ease with which this tasty summer cocktail comes together.

Are Moscow Mules from Moscow?

The ‘Moscow’ portion of the name comes from the origin of the spirit used. It is generally accepted that vodka was first distilled in Russian as early as the 8th or 9th century, though many may argue that Poland could have been its place of origin.

Vodka is economical, in that it can be distilled from a mash of readily available raw materials (cereal grains or potatoes) in agriculturally based countries (such as Russia and Poland).

The clear distilled spirit is popular in Russian and Poland as a chilled shot while those outside of these countries prefer it mixed into cocktail recipes as a neutral spirit. However, this was not always the case.

Read on to find out how the classic mule recipe was born…

Who Invented the Moscow Mule Recipe?

As with most classic cocktails, the creation of the Moscow Mule is a mixture of fascinating facts and fiction. Most stories agree that the mule recipe was invented in Hollywood in the early 1940’s at the Cock ‘n’ Bull pub on Sunset Strip.

It was there that proprietor, Jack Morgan attempted to introduce the American public to his fiery ginger beer. At first, it didn’t catch on. However, one fateful day his friend John Martin (the head of G.F. Heublein & Brothers, a food and spirits importer) paid him a visit.

It seems John had just purchased the Smirnoff vodka distillery and was also having trouble selling his product to Americans. The two put their heads (and their products) together and the rest is history.

Now, you may be asking…what about the copper mug?

Why Are Moscow Mules Served in Copper Mugs?

The creation of the Moscow Mule was all about marketing two great products together that weren’t selling on their own. However, there is a third component to this marketing equation: the copper mug.

There’s also a third person involved in some versions of this story. It’s possible that this person was never identified because she was female. If you Google ‘origin of Moscow Mule copper mug’ the website that comes up tells the story of this third person, Sophie Berezinski, an immigrant from Russia.

The story goes that Ms Berezinski’s father owned owned and operated a copper factory in Russia known as the Moscow Copper Co. She brought the mugs with her to America to sell because they weren’t selling in Russia.

She spent her days trying to sell the mugs at restaurants and bars in Hollywood and finally lucked out at the Cock ‘n’ Bull. Whether or not she was there for the creation of the mule recipe, or the two men decided the mugs would make a great marketing tool remains unknown.

What is so Special about Copper Moscow Mule Mugs?

Besides the fact that it’s an excellent marketing gimmick and longstanding tradition, copper mugs have a great conductivity. The cold metal insulates the icy cocktail thereby keeping it cold and refreshing.

Additionally, there is also a more scientific approach to why this cocktail just tastes better in a copper mug. The combination of highly acidic vodka, ginger beer and lime oxidizes the copper which boosts the aroma and enhances the flavour of the cocktail.

Are Copper Mugs Good For You?

So, is it safe to ingest copper? Yes, within limits. Any time copper comes into contact with food or liquid with a pH below 6.0 copper may leach into the food and cause copper poisoning (symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and jaundice).

Since this mule recipe has a pH well below 6, I highly recommend you exercise caution and enjoy these beverages in moderation. The amount of copper leaching is so minuscule that the occasional Moscow Mule won’t hurt. Just don’t have one every night!

How to Make a Moscow Mule Cocktail

The Moscow Mule recipe is an easy one to follow. There are no special strainers or cocktail shakers involved. You simply pour, stir and sip!

I like to begin by chilling the copper mugs in the freezer for at least an hour. Though they retain the chill of the cold ginger beer and crushed ice, these drinks need to be as frosty as possible for best results.

While the mugs are chilling, juice the fresh limes to allow the juice to sit for a while. Remove the chilled mugs from the freezer and fill them with crushed ice.

Pour two ounces of vodka in each mug, then add 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice to each drink. Top the mugs up with chilled ginger beer and stir gently.

It’s traditional to garnish Moscow Mules with a sprig of mint, but it isn’t actually part of the cocktail. You can also use a slice of lime as a garnish.

Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale

The zippy kick of a ‘mule’ can only come from a high quality ginger beer. While many mule recipes make exceptions and say that you can use ginger ale instead of ginger beer, I absolutely insist that you use a real spicy ginger beer, it’s not a Moscow mule if you use ginger ale. Don’t be a wiener.

Note: There are alcoholic ginger beers on the market. All mule recipes call for non alcoholic ginger beer and there are several good ones on the market, including the original Cock ‘n’ Bull. I like Fentimans (UK), Bundaberg (Australian), and Fever Tree Ginger Beer.

I often find that Jamaican style ginger beers work great too. Two brands I love are Reed’s Stronger Ginger Brew and The Great Jamaican Ginger Beer Co. Feel free to experiment to find your favourite ginger beer.