The Moscow Mule

With summer nipping at our heels, we just might have found the perfect cocktail to sip on through the season. The Moscow Mule is a vodka based cocktail that, when served in a copper mug, will take any weight of the southern heat right off your shoulders.

The Moscow Mule is thought to have started the vodka craze in the United States. Vodka did not make its way to the United States until after World War II and sales of vodka did not reach their peak until the introduction of the Moscow Mule. A refreshing mixture of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. The copper mug which holds the coldness in and is yet another reason we rank it high on the list for summer sipping.

This cocktail originated in the late 1940's and is a classic "Buck Cocktail," which simply refers to a historic family of cocktails incorporating ginger beer and any type of liquor as the base and in the case of the Moscow Mule that liquor is vodka. David Wondrich notes, "The Moscow Mule is not, by the way, the first silly vodka drink. That distinction belongs to the Blue Monday, first printed in the English Savoy bar book in 1930. "

  
The origin of the copper mug as the vessel of preference is not really known. Some reports claim that it was purely a gimmick, while others report benefits such as age prevention, absorption of iron, increased energy and anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce symptoms of arthritis.

If you are looking to serve something a little different at your next cocktail party or if you just want to cool down, the Moscow Mule is by far one of the most easiest drinking cocktails you will have all summer.

Here is our favorite recipe:

Moscow Mule
Jack Morgan
Cock & Bull Tavern
Los Angeles CA, ca. 1940

2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Lime Juice
Ginger Beer
Garnish Lime Wedge

Combine Vodka & Lime juice in a Moscow Mule Mug, available at the Bottleshop; top with ice and ginger beer, stir. Squeeze lime wedge over drink, drop it in, serve.

If you don't want to spring for the copper mug it is perfectly acceptable to server in a low ball glass.

Enjoy!