Moscow mule

FAQs:

What is in a Moscow mule?

A Moscow mule is classically just three ingredients: vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. Our recipe adds ginger bitters to boost that spicy ginger flavour, while the lime juice comes in the form of lime wedges for everyone to squeeze in their own. The ingredients are muddled together and can be the base for twists on this classic form: try muddling in berries or using a flavoured vodka for new spins.

Where does the name Moscow mule come from?

The origins of the Moscow mule are debated. The most popular story is that it was created in New York in 1939, when John G. Martin had bought the US rights to Smirnoff, the vodka brand, and was trying to introduce vodka to Americans. It wasn't proving popular, when he went to the Cock 'n' Bull bar and met Jack Morgan, who was also struggling to sell a cellar full of ginger beer. Legend has it that they combined their drinks and created the Moscow mule – the name being a nod to where vodka was most associated with at the time, along with the 'kick' of the ginger beer. John Martin then travelled America continuing to try to sell his Smirnoff vodka, using the Moscow mule cocktail as the way to get people interested.

Why is a Moscow mule served in a copper cup?

Again, there are debated legends surrounding the origins of the signature copper cup a Moscow mule is commonly served in. Some suggest a third businessman was present at the invention of the cocktail who was struggling to sell copper cups, hence the serving choice. Other tales suggest that when John Martin was travelling selling vodka, he left a copper cup with bartenders to serve his signature cocktail in, or that perhaps copper was simply cheap and accessible in 1940s America.

Regardless of its origins, the copper cup has remained popular for the Moscow mule due to its ability to conduct temperature and keep the icy drink cool.