There’s a lot of murkiness surrounding the origins of our favorite cocktails — probably because booze are always involved, which has the tendency to make our memories foggy. But there are some stories that are generally held to be true, and that is the kind of story we’re going to be telling today about the 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. Taking a leap of faith, John G. Martin had bought the U.S. rights to the French Smirnoff brand in 1939. He unfortunately found that he couldn’t move the stuff. No one was drinking vodka.Advertisement
One somber afternoon, Martin was lamenting his inability to sell his booze at the L.A. bar Cock n Bull with the owner, Jack Morgan. Morgan had a similar problem, but with ginger beer. There was another hard-up businessman present who had an abundance of copper mugs he couldnt move either.
With a few drinks under their belt, a little bit of ingenuity and a bartender on hand they put their problems together and came up with the Moscow Mule — a vodka and ginger beer cocktail served in copper mugs. They marketed the cocktail like crazy and lo and behold, it took off. From then on, vodka was accepted in the American cocktail scene.Advertisement
The name for this drink was randomly selected. Moscow most likely was used because of the publics 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.
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.
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There’s a lot of murkiness surrounding the origins of our favorite cocktails — probably because booze are always involved, which has the tendency to make our memories foggy. But there are some stories that are generally held to be true, and that is the kind of story we’re going to be telling today about the 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. Taking a leap of faith, John G. Martin had bought the U.S. rights to the French Smirnoff brand in 1939. He unfortunately found that he couldn’t move the stuff. No one was drinking vodka.Advertisement
One somber afternoon, Martin was lamenting his inability to sell his booze at the L.A. bar Cock n Bull with the owner, Jack Morgan. Morgan had a similar problem, but with ginger beer. There was another hard-up businessman present who had an abundance of copper mugs he couldnt move either.
With a few drinks under their belt, a little bit of ingenuity and a bartender on hand they put their problems together and came up with the Moscow Mule — a vodka and ginger beer cocktail served in copper mugs. They marketed the cocktail like crazy and lo and behold, it took off. From then on, vodka was accepted in the American cocktail scene.Advertisement
The name for this drink was randomly selected. Moscow most likely was used because of the publics 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.
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Beginner cocktails: Moscow Mule
FAQ
Why are drinks called mules?
Why is a mule served in a copper mug?
What do we call a Moscow Mule now?
What is the difference between a Moscow Mule and a mule?
Why is vodka called Mule?
From then on, vodka was accepted in the American cocktail scene. 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.
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.
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.
How do you make a Moscow Mule cocktail?
Garnish. A Moscow mule is a cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, garnished with a slice or wedge of lime, and a sprig of mint. The drink, being a type of buck, is sometimes called vodka buck. It is popularly served in a copper mug, which takes on the cold temperature of the liquid.