Moscow Mule: the drink in the iconic copper mug

The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail created in the United States in the 1940s. Known for its refreshing taste and unique flavour, it is typically served in a copper mug. The traditional recipe is made with vodka, ginger beer, and lemon juice, served with ice and garnished with a slice or lemon peel.

Ingredients
Vodka
Lemon juice
Ginger beer
Mint
Lemon slice
Ice
Nutritional Profile
Calories
216 per serving
Alcohol content
35% to 60% alcohol by volume (ABV)

Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule

A Non-Alcohol Moscow Mule includes the juice of a quarter lemon, 25 ml of ginger syrup, soda water, crushed ice to taste, lemon zest,  a lemon slice for garnish, and  ginger foam. First, fill half a glass with crushed ice. Add the lemon juice and ginger syrup, and mix. Add the soda water and top with ginger foam. Garnish with lemon zest, a lemon slice, and a sprig of mint.

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Irish Mule

The Irish Mule uses Irish whiskey instead of vodka.

Minted Mule

The Minted Mule uses tequila and mezcal instead of vodka.

Bohemian Mule

To prepare a Bohemian Mule, use absinthe instead of vodka.

Gin Gin Mule

The Gin Gin Mule uses gin instead of vodka.

Southern Mule

In the Southern Mule, vodka is replaced with Southern Comfort liqueur.

Jamaican Mule

The Jamaican Mule uses rum instead of vodka.

New York Mule

The New York Mule uses Absolut Citron instead of regular vodka.

Morning Mule

The Morning Mule uses orange juice instead of lemon juice.

Cranberry Moscow Mule

The Cranberry Moscow Mule uses 50 ml vodka, 15 ml cranberry syrup, 50 ml lemon juice, 150 ml ginger, ginger foam, and ice. First, mix the vodka and cranberry syrup in a shaker. Then add the lemon juice, and ginger beer. Pour the mixture into a glass and add ice to taste. Top the drink with ginger foam.

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What ingredients are in a Moscow Mule?

The traditional Moscow Mule recipe includes vodka, ginger beer, and lemon juice. It is served with ice and garnished with a lemon slice or peel.

Where does the name Moscow Mule come from?

The Moscow Mule is named due to its origin and the ingredients it contains. “Moscow” refers to the capital of Russia, while “mule” is a reference to ginger beer, one of the main ingredients mixed with vodka in the cocktail. The story goes that the drink was created in the 1940s, when John G. Martin, president of Heublein Inc., and Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock 'n' Bull pub, teamed up to promote their drinks: Smirnoff vodka and  Cock 'n' Bull ginger beer. To highlight these products in the American market, they created the Moscow Mule and served it in copper mugs (from copper producer Rudolph Kunett), which became part of the cocktail's visual identity. The name choice was thus a marketing strategy, associating the drink with the Russian origin of vodka and the culture of drinking in Russia.

Why is the Moscow Mule served in a copper mug

The Moscow Mule is traditionally served in a copper mug for several reasons. Firstly, it has been served in a copper mug since its creation, which is part of the cocktail’s visual identity. The copper mug provides a unique appearance, enhancing the visual experience and attracting consumers. Additionally, copper is an excellent conductor of temperature, which helps keep the cocktail cold for longer.

Is there a Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule?

Yes, it is possible to prepare a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail, and there are several variations of the Moscow Mule.