The Moscow Mule Cocktail is made with three ingredients, vodka, ginger beer and lime juice and traditionally served in a copper mug. Here’s how to mix it along with several variations.
Moscow Mule – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
History
The drink dates back to 1941 and is attributed to three people and their stories. John G. Martin had recently purchased Smirnoff distillery and had trouble selling his vodka at the time. Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock ‘n’ Bull pub on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood couldn’t sell much of his own brand of ginger beer. And there’s Ozeline Schmidt who provided the copper mugs, or was it Sophie Berezinski, a Russian immigrant whose father owned a copper factory in Russia and wanted to sell the copper mugs.
Regardless of its history, the drink remains timeless and an easy one to mix.
Moscow Mule Recipe
Ingredients
- 60ml vodka
- 15ml lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 180ml ginger beer
- ice cubes
Glassware: copper mug or short glass
Garnish: mint sprig and lime wheel
Method
Build the drink in a copper mug or short glass. Add vodka, freshly squeezed lime juice over ice cubes and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Moscow Mule Variations
The Moscow Mule is part of the Buck family and the template lends itself to several variations using other spirits instead of vodka. Examples include the Gin-Gin Mule created by Audrey Saunders of the Pegu Club, Mexican Mule which is made with tequila, Jamaican Mule with rum, Kentucky Mule made with whiskey, Irish Mule mixed with Irish whiskey and the Dark’ n Stormy which is essentially a mule with spiced rum.
Red berries such as raspberry, blueberry, blackberry and cherry can be added to the Moscow Mule and if you’re looking for a sugar free alternative, try our Sugar Free Moscow Mule with soda water and grated ginger.
