Many classic cocktails have murky histories behind them. Think about the Cosmopolitan or the Long Island Iced Tea. The origins of these drinks have long been debated, and it’s likely that we’ll never know exactly how they were created.
Another cocktail on the list of mysterious drinks is the Moscow Mule. This mixed drink consists of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. It is known for being served in its signature copper mug.
Nowadays, there are several different variations of the Moscow Mule, but those three ingredients are what make up the original recipe.
This cocktail tastes spicy but sweet. It’s bold and has solid acidity, but it’s also remarkably smooth. Its extreme fizziness is complimented well by its intense ginger flavor, and this cocktail goes down very easily.
The Moscow Mule is perfect for enjoying a hot summer day. It is paired beautifully with light, Asian meals like Thai noodle salad or Indian cashew butter paneer.
But where does this decadent drink come from? Is it actually from Moscow? Find out below with Saucey! Today, we’re going to be discussing this classic drink’s origin and history.
Despite its name, the Moscow Mule originated in America and did not come from Russia. The name is a reference to the two main ingredients – vodka and ginger beer. Vodka is associated with Russia, and the ginger beer has a kick “like a mule”. You might also hear the Moscow Mule called a vodka buck.
The Moscow Mule’s different claims to fame
Though this account of Martin, Morgan, and Price is usually accepted as the origin story of the Moscow Mule, there is some controversy about how the inspiration behind the drink came to be.
Martin and Morgan have stated that they created the drink. But that might actually not be the case. According to Wes Price, a bartender of Morgan’s, he was also there that night and contributed to the drink’s creation.
Apparently, that night, Martin and Morgan were chatting with Price, who was trying to get rid of extra product that he had in his basement. He had a surplus of deadstock, namely Smirnoff Vodka and ginger beer. As a result, he suggested mixing these two drinks.
There’s actually another version of this story too. Instead of Price, this version involves Rudolph Kunett, president of Pierre Smirnoff, Heublein’s vodka division. According to this account, the three were enjoying a casual night of drinking when they randomly decided to pour up their vodka with ginger beer.
It is unknown who was actually present the night that this drink was created. However, it is certain that Martin and Morgan were the catalysts behind its explosion onto the scene.
Sophie’s story of the Moscow Mule
There is still yet another account of the creation of the Moscow Mule that exists. This one is the most notable variation of the account, as it contains immense detail. It also claims that the Moscow Mule was created in Los Angeles and not New York City.
Sophie Berezinski was a Russian immigrant who had just arrived in the United States. Along with her on her journey, she brought 2,000 copper mugs. Her father, an owner of a copper factory in Russia, called the Moscow Copper Co., was hoping that Sophie could sell them for him in America.
Sophie actually designed these copper mugs back in Russia. Her father’s company ran the presses that stamped them out. But when she got to the United States, she found it difficult to move them, and she had no space to store them. Eventually, Sophie’s husband Max became fed up with the mugs cluttering the house. He told Sophie to either find a buyer for the mugs, or he was going to throw them out.
According to the Moscow Copper Co., Sophie was desperately trying to find a buyer for her mugs, going bar to bar in Hollywood, when she found herself in the Chatham Hotel one night. There, she ran into Martin and Morgan. She ended up joining their conversation and spending hours crafting a drink that could fit the copper mug.
In order to sell these men her mugs, she had to offer an additional incentive. The result was the Moscow Mule. This drink was designed to fit the cold properties of the copper mug.
There is also an alternative account to Sophie’s story, alleging that Morgan’s girlfriend, Osalene Schmitt, was actually the one who supplied Morgan with the copper mugs used for his cocktail. It is believed that Schmitt inherited a business that made copper goods.
Uncovering the Startling History of the Moscow Mule: What You Didn’t Know!
FAQ
Why does a Moscow Mule have to be served in a copper cup?
What are people calling Moscow mules now?
What’s the difference between a Moscow Mule and American mule?
What is the difference between a Kentucky mule and a Moscow Mule?
Why is it called Moscow mule?
The name for this drink was randomly selected. Moscow most likely was used because of the public’s tendency to associate vodka with Russia. But mule? Some say mule was added to the name because ginger beer delivers a kick of flavor. But no one really knows for sure. What we do know is that Moscow Mules are refreshing and delicious.
Why do people drink Moscow mule?
Moscow most likely was used because of the public’s tendency to associate vodka with Russia. But mule? Some say mule was added to the name because ginger beer delivers a kick of flavor. But no one really knows for sure. What we do know is that Moscow Mules are refreshing and delicious. And, you should drink them.
What’s in a Moscow mule?
The tale of the Moscow Mule is a pretty simple one — and it all points to the vodka that’s in the cocktail. Back in the 1940s, vodka was an unpopular liquor on the American cocktail scene. Apparently, Americans joked that vodka was Russian for horrible.
What makes a Moscow mule a recognizable cocktail?
This is something rooted in the history and origins themselves, and the copper mug is what makes the Moscow Mule such a recognizable cocktail around the world. While there are numerous accounts of exactly how the Moscow Mule came to be, the underlying origins seem to remain unanimous in theory.