Another month, another cocktail history lesson. Today, we look at the origins of the popular cocktail drink Moscow Mule, a popular cocktail among the partying folk.
While the name “Moscow Mule” may imply the origins of the drink to be in the old country – Russia, the drink was actually invented in 1941 by two good friends, John G. Martin of G.F. Hueblein Brothers, Inc., a Connecticut-based food distribution company and Jack Morgan, who was the President of Cock ‘n’ Bull Productions, which specialized in the production of Ginger beer.
Moscow Mule Origin
An article in the New York Herald Tribune explains the invention in a lucid manner, quoting Jack Morgan saying that the two friends were “quaffing a slug, nibbling an hors d’oeuvre” in the quest to invent the perfect cocktail. They got an idea to mix a two ounce shot with some ginger beer and topping off the mixture with lime. The mixture tasted good, and hence the Moscow Mule was born.
In 2007, another version describing the invention of the Moscow Mule was published. In this version, the inventor was said to be Wes Price, who was the head bartender of Jack Morgan’s restaurants. According to the Price, the invention came out of necessity, as there was a need to clear off the extra stocks of Smirnoff Vodka and ginger beer from the bar’s cellar.
The first Moscow Mule was served to the actor Broderick Crawford in the city of Los Angeles, from where the drink became very popular and later acquired cult status. The Moscow Mule has also appeared in a variety of books and in TV shows like “Better Call Saul”, “Ash vs Evil Dead”, “The Real Housewives of New York City” among several others.
Moscow Mule and Copper Mugs
The Moscow Mule is always served in a copper mug as the copper is said to react with the liquid and thereby giving the mixture a unique flavor. The Moscow Mule is also served with other fruits for varied flavors in addition to lime, while the core ingredients, like the ginger beer and the vodka, remain the same. And from the vodka comes the Russian connection and the name “Moscow” mule.
We will have history lessons detailing the origins of other popular cocktails soon. Let us know in the comments which other cocktails history would you like to know.
