Moscow mule
A vodka, ginger beer, and lime cocktail served in a copper mug.
The Moscow mule is a cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, typically garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. It is a type of buck, sometimes called a vodka buck, and is properly served in a copper mug. The drink gained widespread popularity in the mid-20th century and has since inspired numerous variations.
Quick Facts
- Base
- Vodka
- Ingredients
- 45 ml vodka / 10 ml lime juice / 120 ml ginger beer
- Served
- On the rocks: poured over ice
- Garnish
- Lime Slice
- Prep
- In a Mule Cup or rocks glass, combine the vodka and ginger beer. Add lime juice and gently stir to involve all ingredients.
- Drinkware
- copper mug
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Moscow mule was reportedly created in 1941 at the Chatham Hotel in New York City. According to a 1948 New York Herald Tribune article, three friends—Jack Morgan (president of Cock 'n' Bull Products), John G. Martin (president of G.F. Heublein Brothers), and Rudolph Kunett (president of Pierre Smirnoff)—combined vodka, Morgan's ginger beer, and lime juice over ice in mugs. The drink was later christened the Moscow mule. However, a 2007 account attributed the invention to Wes Price, a bartender at the Cock 'n' Bull restaurant, who claimed he created the drink to clear out unsold vodka and ginger beer from the cellar. Price served the first one to actor Broderick Crawford, and it 'caught on like wildfire.'
Reader's Guide
The Moscow mule's significance lies in its role in popularizing vodka in the United States during the mid-20th century. John G. Martin traveled the country promoting Smirnoff vodka and the Moscow mule, asking bartenders to pose with a copper mug and a bottle of Smirnoff, leaving Polaroid photos for display. This marketing campaign helped establish the copper mug as the drink's signature vessel. The cocktail's popularity grew rapidly, becoming a favorite of Reno casino owner William F. Harrah and being noted in Edward O. Thorp's book Beat the Dealer. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, some bars renamed it a 'Kyiv mule' in protest. Health concerns have been raised about serving acidic drinks in unlined copper mugs, as copper can leach into the beverage; the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division and FDA advise using lined mugs. The drink has spawned countless variations, substituting different spirits and ingredients, such as the Kentucky mule (bourbon) or Mexican mule (tequila).
Did You Know?
- The Moscow mule was reportedly invented in 1941 at the Chatham Hotel in New York City by three men including Jack Morgan and John G. Martin.
- John G. Martin popularized the drink by taking Polaroid photos of bartenders with copper mugs and Smirnoff vodka, leaving one photo for display.
- The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division issued a 2017 statement advising that pure copper mugs should not be used for acidic drinks like the Moscow mule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Moscow Mule?
It is a classic cocktail built on vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, typically finished with a lime wedge as garnish. Fans often describe it as the definitive cold, spicy-sweet drink for anyone who prefers vodka as their base spirit.
What are the Moscow Mule's core ingredients?
The recipe rests on just three elements: vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice. No syrups, bitters, or other additions are needed for the traditional version.
Why is the Moscow Mule served in a copper mug?
The copper mug has become the drink's signature presentation and is practically inseparable from its identity in bars and home bars alike. Most mugs feature a protective inner lining to prevent the acidic lime from reacting with the bare metal.
What cocktail family does the Moscow Mule belong to?
It is classified as a buck, which is why you will sometimes see it listed as a vodka buck. Bocks are defined by their spirit-plus-ginger-beer-plus-citrus structure, and the Moscow Mule is the vodka member of that family.
When did the Moscow Mule become widely known?
It broke into mainstream popularity during the mid-20th century and has held a steady place in bar menus ever since. Over the decades it has also inspired a wide range of flavor and spirit variations.
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