The Moscow Mule

Sometime this year, I became enamored with the Moscow Mule. I’m certain, coming from a beer and Scotch guy, this sounds a little weird. 

Admittedly, part of the Moscow Mule appeal is the hip factor. Hey, look at my drink…you have to drink it in a copper mug! While it sounds a little “high society,” or perhaps more hipster, the mug’s origins are quite possibly contrived. The theory being, it was the mug on hand at the famed Cock ’N Bull bar in Hollywood, where the drink originated.

The drink itself was a spirited collaboration of timeliness between John Gilbert Martin, the owner of Smirnoff Vodka, and John “Jack” Morgan, owner of the Cock ‘’N Bull, and producer of the original Moscow Mule ginger beer. As the legend goes, the two both hand businesses that needed help and the Moscow Mule was their answer to success.

Regardless of the facts, one thing remains, the Moscow Mule is all an out refreshing summertime drink. Oh, and the copper mug? It is actually pretty damn cool. Figuratively and literally.

If you follow me on Instagram, you realize I tend to talk about Moscow Mules. A lot.

I’ve also, not surprisingly, been making them at home.

If you plan on the same, the first requirement is a real copper mug. I picked up my first mug on a whim. It is more or less junk. My second set, I love: riveted handles, no non-copper liner, ultimate coolness.

While the original Moscow Mule calls for ginger beer, I’m afraid a deviation is required. Sure, a ginger beer/mule mixture is good, but for something extraordinary, it requires something a little more natural: ginger root.

My mules have eschewed beer for something with more flavor and punch, grated ginger root. Simple syrup and club soda finish out the ginger beer replacement trio and the substitution, or rather deviation, makes a world of difference.

For now, I’ve settled on this recipe from Bon Appétit, but I’m thinking of pursuing a muddling approach to the ginger in the future. Regardless, ditching the beer was the best idea I’ve had since making my last Mule.

Cheers to summer and cheers to being hip! I seldom am, so I’ll take it!

Fresh Ginger Moscow Mule

via Bon Appétit

2 oz vodka

1 1/2 oz simple syrup

1 oz fresh lime juice

1 t grated fresh ginger

2 oz club soda

1 lime slice

Fill a copper mug with ice.

In a shaker, also filled with ice, combine the vodka, simple syrup, lime juice & ginger. Shake. Strain into the copper mug. Top with club soda and garnish with lime.

Cheers!