DRAFT Moscow Mule

The Cocktail

Your cocktail is a Moscow Mule, dating to early 1950s Los Angeles: vodka, ginger beer, lime.

More About the Moscow Mule

What is a Moscow Mule?

• 2 oz/60ml vodka
• ½ oz/15ml fresh lime juice
• 4-6 oz/120-180ml. (½ a can) chilled ginger beer
• 1 lime wedge

What glass should you use? A Copper Mug is the original, purely for marketing reasons, making copper mugs a little known trend of the 1960s despite the Beatles’ message that Love is all you need. You should go for it if you have one on hand (who doesn’t?). Otherwise go for a theatrical glass of choice. As the Mule can be a good long drink, pint glasses are not unknown.

The History of The Mule

The Mule is not from Moscow, it is a purely American invention, dating from the early-mid 20th century. It is known for its refreshing and tangy flavor, typically served in a distinctive copper mug. The cocktail’s history involves a combination of ingredients and marketing efforts that contributed to its popularity.

Said to have been created during the Second World War, by Rudolph Kunett president of Smirnoff Vodka, Jack Morgan the owner of the Cock ‘n’ Bull pub in Los Angeles, and John G. Martin a liquor distributor. It was probably named for Moscow as vodka was little known in the US then. The memorably alliterative Mule was almost certainly due to the kick it gives.

The Moscow Mule gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. The Moscow Mule remains a popular cocktail in bars and restaurants worldwide.

It is appreciated for its:

• simple and widely liked flavors
• not being excessively sweet
• flexibility – it can be a short blunt drink or a longer summer refresher

Most of all though it’s both easy to make from easily available ingredients, and can be cooked up with high quality vodka and fresh ginger to provide a superior spicy sparkling eye-winker.