The Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 in New York’s Chatham Hotel by John G. Martin, an east coast spirits and food distributor, and John “Jack” Morgan, President of Cock ‘n’ Bull Products (which produced ginger beer) and proprietor of the Cock ‘n’ Bull Tavern, a bar on Sunset Boulevard popular with celebrities. Apparently the two men were drinking in the Chatham bar with Rudolph Kunett, president of the Pierre Smirnoff vodka company, when they came up with the concoction. The drink became extremely popular in the Los Angeles tavern, and by 1942 the drink was touted as the craze of the movie colony.
A good Moscow Mule is hard to come by. Traditionally the drink is served in a copper mug. I don’t know the reason for this, and do not even know if there is one. The only thing I can find is that it might have something to do with oxidation. I would wager it was more of a marketing ploy to set this cocktail apart from all of the other vodka drinks.
Moscow Mules are seldom found in copper mugs anymore due to the cost of copper and the bad habit of people stealing the novel cup. The few remaining places I know that still use copper mugs, either hold your ID or require a deposit.
I was lucky enough to stumble across a set of four mugs at the Mile High Flea Market in Denver for 50¢ each. Score!
- 2 ounces Smirnoff vodka
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 4 ounces Cock ‘n’ Bull ginger beer not to be confused with ginger ale
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Fill copper mug with ice.
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Add vodka, lime juice, and Cock'n'Bull ginger beer.
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Garnish with lime.
T.G.I.F.
