Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule is one of the most added items to a cocktail menu for 2015, and it has a fantastic backstory if not a romantic one.  As most good cocktail stories there are several different possible origins.  What is known is the Cock n’ Bull Bar in Los Angeles was making its own ginger beer, John Martin owned the import rights to Smirnoff and was documented marketing the drink with copper mugs with his vodka up and down he west coast.  Martin said he jointly conceived the drink with the owner of the Cock n’ Bull.  The owner of the Cock n’ Bull is attributed with creating it himself, and one of the Cock n’ Bull bartenders even claimed he did decades after the fact.  The recipe here is not the most historic but it is easy to create in a bar or at home and has the spicy kick that the original would have had.

Ingredients

2 oz Vodka

3 oz Ginger Beer

Garnish

Lime wedge

Glassware

Copper Mug or Old Fashioned glass

Assembly

Fill shaker tin with ice.  Combine Vodka and Ginger Beer in shaker.  Stir vigorously until chilled.  Strain into mug over shaved ice.

Suggestions

If you can find a fresh made ginger beer with a real spicy heat you will never never be disappointed.  If you do find yourself in the Carolina’s make this recipe with Blenheim’s Red Cap Hot ginger ale.  It is a truly great soda and makes great Moscow Mules and Dark and Stormy’s.