If you want to blame one particular drink for the rapid growth of vodka, in North America, look no further than the Moscow Mule. It’s true that the Vodka Martini became the most popular vodka drink initially and spurred the premium vodka category, but it was the Moscow Mule that began the introduction of North Americans to vodka. Whether vodka is the greatest spirit ever or the bane of bartenders, that’s for you to decide, but the Moscow Mule may be the drink that trumps the Vodka Martini when it comes to flavour.
The history of the Moscow Mule goes back to 1941 and was invented by John G. Martin of Heublein, Inc., of East Coast spirits, and Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock ’n’ Bull Tavern, a bar on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. As the story goes, John had recently acquired the right to sell Smirnoff vodka in the US and Jack had a surplus of ginger beer at his establishment. Voila, they now have a new drink. Eventually, John Martin used the Moscow Mule to help promote vodka to bars across the US and this helped fuel the mainstream acceptance of vodka as the preferred white spirit, replacing gin.
The other gimmick that was used to market the Moscow Mule was to serve it in a copper mug. The reason for this isn’t really known, but like anything, making something stand out from the crowd tends to help sales. With time and the bad habit of people collecting (i.e. stealing) glassware from bars and restaurants as souvenirs, the copper mug is a thing of the past, much like the silver julep cup.
How to Make a Moscow Mule
A vodka based highball made with ginger beer and served in a copper mug. It's a spicy drink but always pleasantly so.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- Dash Bitters
- Top Ginger Beer
Instructions
- Pack a 12 oz copper mug (or collins glass) full with ice.
- Add vodka, lime juice, simple syrup and bitters.
- Fill the glass with ginger beer
- Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.
Notes
The copper mug was a gimmick used by the creators of this drink to move some excess mug inventory. However, the ascetics have made the drink memorable so it has now become a tradition to serve a proper Moscow Mule in a copper mug.
The Moscow Mule isn’t a complicated drink, especially with the use of vodka as the spirit, but it is still pleasant on a hot summer day. Also, this is a good drink to demonstrate how bitters can make a difference when it comes to flavours. Without them, the drink seems to be missing something. Once you add the bitters the drink has more depth of flavour. If you have some vodka you want to finish off and demonstrate to someone that a dash of bitters does make a difference, try a Moscow Mule.
Further Reading on Vodka topics:
Vodka Tasting and Results
The Big Old Boring Vodka Martini
Does Grey Goose Contain Glycerine
Glycerol in Vodka Results