What is a Moscow Mule? How to Make a Moscow Mule Recipe?

The Moscow Mule punch contains vodka, ginger beer and lime. Having taken the world by storm with its magnum function of a copper mug, the cocktail has remained part of the cocktail bar menu since the middle of the 20th century. However the Moscow Mule in fact originated in Los Angeles as a way of spearheading vodka marketing in America before the war and the Moscow Mule is in fact a member of the Buck family of drinks: spirits with citrus and ginger beer.

What is a Moscow Mule?

A Moscow mule is a cocktail made with many ingredients. Despite the fact that the drink is linked with Russia, insofar as this is quite obvious, it can be stated that the origin of the drink lies in America. Drinks are usually taken in copper cups because when the cups are filled with the cocktail, the cold surfaces slow the transfer of heat to the drink.

The History of the Moscow Mule:

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail realized in 1941 and that played a large part in turning the Americans to the vodka. According to popular lore, it was invented by two males. John Martin had to popularize Smirnoff vodka, a new and for the most part unfamiliar product in the middle part of the 1900s which his distribution company had recently acquired. Yet another man, Jack Morgan, who ran a bar Cock ‘n’ Bull pub, was interested in using up the ginger beer which had been stocked up for so long. They thought what better than joining the two ingredients with a bit of lime and that was the birth of the drink.

Moscow Mule Recipe:

The recipe is below, along with a thorough ingredient list and step-by-step instructions, but first, let’s review the fundamentals:

Moscow Mule Ingredients:

These are the ingredients that are used to make:

• Vodka: Pronounced as ‘Moscow Mule with Vodka’, originally, Moscow mules are prepared using vodka.

• Lime: For ‘the ‘nectar’ as they call it you will require the juice and a wedge for decoration.

• Ice: Russian tea is normally consumed cold and served over ice as in the case of Moscow mules.

• Ginger Beer: Unlike ginger ale, which is sweet, ginger beer is a more of a savory drink and can be described as lightly carbonated ginger-flavored syrup.

How to Make a Moscow Mule?

Use below ingredients to make: 

1) Vodka:

For Moscow mules, I prefer Tito’s brand of vodka. It is reasonably priced, very tasty and made relatively nearby in Austin, Texas. 

2) Ginger Beer:

When it comes to Moscow mules, the right ginger beer to be used is fever-tree brand ginger beer. This one got the stamp of approval from Mara and, when I asked her to describe the taste, she said it was closest to a Moscow mule she had tried. Fever-Tree’s ginger beer is cleanest, purest and the most strikingly gingery of the bunch, sourced from three gingers; Nigerian ginger, Cochin ginger and ginger from the Ivory Coast.

3) Fresh Lime:

Make certain that the lime juice applied in your recipe is obtained from fresh limes. Since when does anyone consume the bottled equivalent of ‘old paint?’ (Unless, of course, the bottled stuff is wine, beer, or spirits).

Copper Mug Notes:

Moscow mules are best taken in a copper mug making it look as if the beverage is very cold. Why? Also for copper it can be stated that it is a very conductive material, so that heat can pass through it evenly; therefore, cold or hot temperature easily rims through copper metal.

Although the material of the mug which is copper does not actually make the drink colder, it gives the chilling effect more than drinking it from a regular glass, cup or mug.

Different Variations of the Moscow Mule:

• Kentucky Mule or Horse feather: Substitute bourbon/whiskey for vodka.

• Gin-Gin Mule: Substitute gin for vodka if it is available.

• Mexican Mule:  Vodka is replaced with tequila.

• Jamaican Mule or Cuban Mule: Substitute the vodka for rum.

• Dark ‘n Stormy: Gosling’s spiced rum should be substituted for vodka.

Conclusion:

Moscow Mule is a good example of how the modern bartending industry views and treats well established traditional cocktails. Made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, its appearance and taste has captured the heart of many across generations, its unique flavors complemented with a stately presentation in a copper mug. From its invention during the post World War II period as a marketing gimmick to the current bartending renaissance period, this is a classic cocktail. Served ‘classic’ or with exciting variations, this cocktail remains an enchanting proof of the complexities of flavors that can be obtained with the combination of just a few ingredients in a masterfully mixed, glass filled ‘Audrey Hepburn’ confectionery. As the world of cocktails develops with the launch of better designed and more appealing cocktails the Moscow Mule in today’s cocktail bars will remain a classic.

Also Read: What is Pimento Cheese? How to Make Pimento Cheese Spread?