Cocktail Of The Week: Moscow Mule
THE COCKTAIL: Moscow Mule
WHAT IT IS:
The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail enjoyed across the world. It is a kind of a buck—a cocktail made using ginger ale or ginger beer, citrus juice, and a number of base liquors. It is traditionally served in a copper mug which keeps the drink cool.
WHAT IT'S MADE OF:
Moscow Mule is made using vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. It is garnished with a slice of lime or a lime wedge, and a sprig of mint.
HOW IT'S MADE:
The method of making Moscow Mule is pretty straightforward. What is important in the recipe is the quality of the ginger beer. The ginger beer needs to be of high quality to bring the spiciness out. Ensure you keep the beer chilled before using it in the cocktail. Also, you may skip the copper mug if you find it difficult to avail it. You can go with a high ball or rock glass.
ORIGINS:
Moscow Mule was created in 1941. In fact, the cocktail has a huge role to play in vodka’s popularity in the United States. As with many other cocktails, there is no evidence to attribute the invention of the cocktail to any particular person or group. There are legends that make the origin story fascinating and add to the public profile of the drink.
One origin story says that a bartender by the name Wes Price was the true originator of this cocktail’s recipe.
The other story, which is circulated more due to its interesting story elements, involves three key characters. The saying 'necessity is the mother of invention' aptly applies to this story. The first, John Martin, who owned a distribution company, needed to sell Smirnoff vodka. Vodka was not a popular spirit in America at that point in time. The second character is bar owner Jack Morgan, who was looking for ways to dispose of the stash of ginger beer that took up space at his Cock ‘n’ Bull pub. The two men came up with the idea of mixing both drinks with a little lime, thereby creating history. The third important character is a Russian woman named Sophie Berezinski, whose father owned a copper factory called Moscow Copper Co. She travelled to the United States hoping to find new buyers as her company's wares were doing poorly in sales in her home country.
Fascinatingly, the copper mugs gave a distinct look to the drink and they were used for promoting the cocktail. Historian David Wondrich observes that the Polaroid camera was used by Martin in this marketing spree. Martin took Polaroid instant photos of Los Angeles bartenders and guests holding the copper mugs alongside bottles of Smirnoff. The photos were displayed all across the bar and even shared with patrons to share. This strategy helped in the rise of interest for the cocktail. Genius!
BEST FOR:
Moscow Mule is a type of drink that is suitable for any kind of occasion! It's a fail-proof cocktail for your events.
CAN I MAKE IT NON-ALCOHOLIC?
Yes, you can. While most of the components for the mocktail remains same as that of the cocktail, just the vodka is replaced with club soda or sparking water. Here's a recipe in batch proportions for a Moscow Mule Mocktail.
Ingredients
350 gms Crushed ice
240 ml Ginger beer*
Juice of 2 medium limes (about 4 tablespoons)
80 ml Club soda or sparkling water
Fresh mint for garnish
2 lime wedges, for garnish
Method
Fill 2/3rds of two copper mugs or highball glasses each with ice. Add the ginger beer, lime juice, and club soda and stir. Garnish using mint and lime wedges.
THE COCKTAIL RECIPE
Ingredients
60 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka
15 ml Lime juice, freshly squeezed
90 ml Ginger beer, chilled
Lime wheel for garnish.
Method
Take a copper mule mug or highball glass. Fill it with ice. Add vodka and lime juice. Top it with the ginger beer. Garnish with lime wheel.
It is important to serve and drink alcohol responsibly. If you know anyone who is not able to drink within limits or isn't able to handle alcohol, please refer them to a professional immediately. These actions will keep you healthy and out of harm's way.
