Over the top cocktails can be overrated. It’s part of the reason some tattoo wielding, hat wearing hipsters’ prefer to imbibe simpler sips. For years, PBR was the go-to spirit designating a hipster from any other bar goer. Today, sales have tumbled with many losing their taste for the blue-collar beer.
Seems there’s a new hipster drink being slung across the bar, and it is every bit as trendy and nostalgic as the now almost forgotten PBR.
Beards, straight bangs and Moscow Mules have now become the telltales of hipster culture—and it’s catching on in a major way. From the aesthetics of this classic cocktail to the lore behind the drink, there are plenty of reasons hipsters are helping provide the Moscow Mule a deserving cultural revival.
Few vessels offer the same visual appeal as a Moscow Mule. The copper mug instantly enhances the experience and lets everyone see clearly what your drink of choice is. Though they go with any outfit, hipsters have found them are particularly complementary to black skinny jeans.
Now, instead of the bright and shiny or patina of a traditional Moscow Mule mug, hipsters can further distinguish themselves from the crowds with a limited edition, vintage design.
It’s the ultimate container for the ultimate hipster alcohol, an effortlessly cool way to showcase that you have good taste.
Hipster Moscow Mules are also a great way for the learned and most interesting to share backstories about their preferred spirit. Given the rich history of the Moscow Mule, it doesn’t take much to draw someone in and get them engaged. (Perfect for when you’re young and on the prowl or just hungering for connection after a year in quarantine.)
For the last 75 years, Moscow Mules have enjoyed their place as a classic cocktail. But the drink is actually a kismet mix of collaboration and borderline desperation.
It all began when Russian immigrant Sophie Berezinski came to the United States with 2,000 copper mugs in tow. She and her father handmade many of the cups and couldnt stand to see them go unused, or worse, sold for scrap metal. The decision was made to go door-to-door in Hollywood and find a cocktail lounge in need of inexpensive drinkware.
Then, in 1941, she stopped in for a fateful drink after walking all day. What she ended up finding instead was a buyer.
Jack Morgan owned Cock ‘n’ Bull pub on the famous Sunset Strip. He, having recently gotten into the ginger beer business, was hoping to woo Smirnoff Vodka owner, John Martin, on a collaboration. Sales of both their beverages were low. They knew they were on to something, but it wasn’t until Sophie’s copper cups and a few tweaks of citrus that the Moscow Mule exploded onto the scene! With the cold properties of the mug and the symphony of flavors the drink was an instant, and lasting success.
Is a Moscow mule a girly drink or a manly drink? This is one of the things I love most about this cocktail: anyone can enjoy it! It’s often served in a masculine metal mug, and it’s got a sharp bite to it, so it’s perfect for guys. But it’s also fizzy and a little sweet, so women really enjoy it too!
Original Moscow Mule Recipe
Is your mouth watering just thinking about this refreshing mix of hipster history? You don’t have to go to a crowded bar to enjoy a Moscow Mule. The simplicity of the drink is part of its appeal.
Reddit bartenders have varying thoughts on Moscow Mules, too. One commented, “I see plenty of people getting Moscow Mules purely because of the ooo shiny cup mentality,” while other Redditors replied that its a tasty drink that deserves to be trendy. Bartenders interviewed by Thrillist seem to agree that people order Moscow Mules purely for the Instagram-worthiness. “You love aesthetics more than you love ginger. Go on, get that Instagram cheers-ing shot,” said one.
On Reddit, bartenders freely admit their drink stereotypes. On a thread from five years ago, one user pointed out that Moscow Mules are the new Rum and Coke. This timeline lines up with the Moscow Mules rise in popularity, despite the drink being around since the 1940s, a fact that another Redditor pointed out. The same person explained that the drink has really taken off because of the copper mug, which has been a marketing gimmick from the start. Stylish copper mugs aside, the simple combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime is a way for vodka soda drinkers to spice up their life a bit. That being said, as much as we would love to ease your anxiety about ordering this drink at the bar, the truth is that bartenders are still judging you.
Though the aesthetic of a Moscow Mule makes it look like you know what youre doing at the bar, bartenders think otherwise. Vinepair interviewed 10 bartenders, asking what drink theyre sick of making, and Meghan Kelleher of Distilled in New York named the Moscow Mule, noting, “Moscow Mules are perfectly fine, but boring. Even if made with fresh ingredients, like homemade ginger beer or syrup, its still a dressed up vodka-soda-with-extra-limes. Let me make you an interesting gimlet variation instead.”
When you order a drink at a bar, whether they say it to your face or not, the bartender has thoughts on your order. Thrillist interviewed several bartenders about what certain drinks say about customers, and the responses were very specific. “This is for someone who recognizes they are too old to order Sour Appletinis, but wants a compromise,” one said bartender about people that order Whiskey Sours. Another described customers that order White Russians as “my great-grandmother on a bender.”
Girly Drinks vs Manly Drinks
FAQ
Is Moscow Mule masculine or feminine?
What does drinking a Moscow Mule say about you?
Is Moscow Mule classy?
What classifies a drink as a mule?
What is a gin mule cocktail?
The Gin Moscow Mule is a refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. This version swaps out vodka for gin, adding a floral note to the drink. The cocktail also includes lime and ginger beer, served ice cold in a copper mug. Mint leaves and simple syrup can be added for extra sweetness and flavor.
What is a lychee Mule cocktail?
The Lychee Moscow Mule is a refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. This cocktail combines the traditional ingredients of vodka, ginger beer, and lime with the sweet and sour flavors of lychee fruit. The lychee fruit is served on top of the drink and adds a visually appealing touch to the cocktail.
What is a French mule cocktail?
French Mule Cocktail The French Mule Cocktail is a delightful twist on the classic Moscow Mule, featuring the addition of Cointreau, a French orange-flavored liqueur. The cocktail is easy to mix and requires only a few ingredients, including fresh citrus juices, ginger beer, and of course, vodka.
How do you make a mule drink?
Mule drinks are super easy to make. A base spirit, freshly squeezed lime juice, and some spicy ginger beer. The latter is the most error-prone because some confuse spicy ginger beer with ginger ale. That’s an absolute no-go. Ginger ale is way too sweet in a drink like the Moscow Mule.