The story goes that the Moscow Mule was invented in the 1940s when three friends got together and lamented the difficulty they were having selling their products: vodka, ginger beer and copper mugs. They put the three items together, added a lime and an odd name, and an American classic was born.
The marketing ploy was so successful that the Moscow Mule was "largely responsible for America's love affair with vodka," says H. Joseph Ehrmann, mixologist at Elixir in San Francisco.
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Today, the Moscow Mule is still served in a copper mug. Fans appreciate the tradition and the feel of the ice-cold drink through the metal -- some also claim that the copper boosts the aromas, flavors and fizziness of the drink. Watch Ehrmann create this cocktail in the video below, then try it for yourself!
Moscow Mule
Ingredients
1 lime
2 ounces (59.1 milliliters) high-quality vodka
3 ounces (88.7 milliliters) spicy ginger beer
1 lime
2 ounces (59.1 milliliters) high-quality vodka
3 ounces (88.7 milliliters) spicy ginger beer
Directions
1. Cut lime in half; squeeze juice from one half into chilled copper mug. This should result in about half an ounce (14.8 milliliters) of juice. Cut one slice from the other half and set aside.
2. Add vodka.
3. Fill mug with ice and top off with ginger beer.
4. Garnish with the lime wheel and serve.
1. Cut lime in half; squeeze juice from one half into chilled copper mug. This should result in about half an ounce (14.8 milliliters) of juice. Cut one slice from the other half and set aside.
2. Add vodka.
3. Fill mug with ice and top off with ginger beer.
4. Garnish with the lime wheel and serve.
If ginger beer is too strong for you (it is non-alcoholic, but has a strong ginger flavor) try substituting ginger ale. The result is a refreshing drink that is sweeter and bubblier than the classic Moscow Mule.
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