Moscow Mule Cocktail

The Moscow Mule may be the most distinctive cocktail in the world.

Typically served in a textured copper mug, the vodka cocktail makes a statement as soon as it hits the bar. There’s no question about what’s inside the mug since it’s obviously a Moscow Mule cocktail. The mug and the drink go hand in hand.

And, because the Moscow Mule recipe is so succinct and balanced, there’s also no question that the cocktail will likely taste good. Very good.

If you’re a cocktail fan, then you’ve probably imbibed a Moscow Mule or two during drinking outings in your home town. But do you know the mechanics of the beloved drink?

In simple terms, a Moscow Mule is a vodka buck that combines the simple, clear liquor with spicy ginger beer. Bartenders add fresh lime juice to complete the Moscow Mule’s recipe before serving the classic cocktail in its signature copper mug.

Asking if a Moscow Mule tastes as good in a different vessel is like asking if a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. The answer is yes… sort of.

You’ve probably had that disappointing moment when you’ve ordered a Moscow Mule and it arrives in a highball glass instead of a copper mug. Sure, the drink still tastes good but the experience is not quite the same. We’ve been there and done that too.

So, while you can certainly craft and drink Moscow Mule drinks in highball glasses at home, we say splurge and buy a couple Moscow mugs. While the mugs will cost about the same as a bottle of decent vodka, you’ll enjoy them long after the vodka bottle makes its way to the recycling bin.

As a bonus, these copper mugs will keep your drink refreshingly cold until you take your final sip.

We’d like to tell you a story about how the Moscow Mule was invented in Russia and eventually made its way to America via spies escaping the cold war with the recipe strategically hidden in their cargo. But, alas, that story is a fantasy.

The Moscow Mule’s actual origin story doesn’t involve Moscow at all. Instead, cocktail historians trace the drink’s creation to 1939 when Smirnoff’s president John G. Martin collaborated with Jack Morgan, the owner of Los Angeles bar Cock ‘n’ Bull. The duo created the Moscow Mule recipe using two ingredients that Americans had yet to embrace – vodka and ginger beer.

As it turns out, combining vodka and ginger beer and adding fresh lime juice worked better than Martin and Moran likely expected. But they didn’t stop there – the alliterative duo went the extra step by serving their drink in a copper mug and giving it an exotic name inspired by vodka’s homeland.

Despite the drink’s sophisticated, spicy flavor, the classic Moscow Mule recipe has a super short ingredient list that includes the following four items:

You probably already have these ingredients in your pantry or home bar. If not, you should be able to secure them at your local market or liquor store.

Any generic vodka will work in this Moscow Mule recipe. Accordingly, we recommend using the vodka bottle that you already have in your home bar.

We used Stolichnaya vodka in our recipe in a nod to the cocktail’s dubious Russia connection. Since Stolichnaya is actually produced in Riga, it’s a choice that makes us comfortable.

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The first step in this Moscow Mule recipe is to measure the vodka. We use a Japanese jigger to secure accurate measurements and avoid potential spillage.

Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.

Optional garnishes include lime wheels and mint sprigs. We like to garnish our Moscow Mules with lime wheels sliced from the same lime that we use for the lime juice.

Pro Tip
Slice your lime wheels BEFORE you squeeze the lime juice.

Once you experience how easy it is to craft a Moscow Mule at home, it’s a slippery slope before you raid your liquor cabinet to experiment with other liquors. Here are some ideas to get you started on your mule mixology journey:

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