How the Moscow Mule & Signature Copper Mug Were Born
Invented in 1941, the Moscow Mule is an alcoholic beverage that consists of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice – a straightforward recipe for a drink with such a murky history. Before we get to our refreshing Moscow Mule recipe, let's peel back the layers on the origins of the drink and the copper mug it's served in.
History of the Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule's inventors1 are often said to be Jack Morgan, owner of a Los Angeles-based British pub called Cock 'n' Bull, and John G. Martin, whose beverage company bought the rights to Smirnoff vodka in the late 1930s; many also claim that Cock 'n' Bull's bartender, Wes Price, helped create the signature drink.
Before the Moscow Mule, vodka hadn't really made a splash in America. The various accounts about its creation agree that Martin was struggling to convince Americans to drink his company's vodka, and Morgan ordered a surplus of ginger beer that he couldn't sell. Fortunately, the two were friends and were able to combine their resources – with or without a bartender's help, depending on the story – to create the cocktail.
As for the iconic copper mug that helped them market the drink? Well, that's just as complicated.
Why We Serve Moscow Mules in Copper Mugs
There are two popular explanations regarding the origin of the copper mugs used to serve Moscow Mules2.
One says that, as the two (or three) inventors were discussing their issues at the pub, they were joined by a Russian immigrant and copper mug creator named Sophie Berezinski, who came to America with thousands of copper mugs she had been unable to sell in Russia. The more popular version of the story gives the credit for the copper mugs to Morgan's girlfriend and owner of a copper business, Osalene Schmitt.
Mysteries surrounding the mugs aside, all accounts agree that they were crucial to the drink's popularity. If you're still wondering why Moscow Mules are served in copper mugs, the answer can be summed up in three words: tradition, temperature, and taste.
After helping create the Moscow Mule, Martin set out to market it and his Smirnoff vodka by asking bartenders to pose with a bottle of Smirnoff vodka and a copper mug. Taking two Polaroid photographs – one for him to keep and one for the bartender to display – enabled Martin to showcase the trendiness of the drink.
Tradition remains a major factor in the presentation of Moscow Mules, but there are other practical reasons for why the copper mug has remained a popular choice. For one, the mug helps keep the drink at an ideal temperature, ensuring the alcoholic beverage maintains its flavor as you drink it.
Copper is an excellent thermal conductor, and the copper mug will become cooler once the Moscow Mule and ice are added. The cold copper of the mug helps increase the carbonation of the Moscow Mule, making the drink fizzier. Since the copper mug helps keep the Moscow Mule cool and refreshing, it can be a treat to sip on a hot summer day.
Moscow Mule fans say the copper mug improves the flavors of the ginger beer and lime. Many claim the vodka begins to oxidize the mug's copper walls, which may enhance the spirit's aroma and taste.
Are Copper Mugs Safe?
You may be wondering if copper mugs are safe to drink out of, and the short answer is yes. Most copper mugs are lined with a different type of material, such as stainless steel or nickel, which eliminates any threat of copper poisoning. Although copper mugs without a liner are safe to drink from for short periods of time, there is a possibility you can get copper poisoning from drinking from an unlined mug.
In 2017, the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division released an advisory3 reminding the public of federal guidelines regarding food that may come into contact with copper. Per the FDA's Model Food Code, food with a pH of less than 6.0 is prohibited from coming into direct contact with copper, which includes the acidic Moscow Mule. When choosing a Moscow Mule mug for commercial or residential use, you should opt for a lined version.
Resources
- At Age 75, the Moscow Mule Gets Its Kick Back. The New York Times. Accessed July 2021.
- How the Moscow Mule Got Kickstarted. Greeley Tribune. Accessed July 2021.
- Advisory Bulletins. Alcoholic Beverages Division, State of Iowa. Accessed July 2021.
