Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a well-known vodka cocktail that can be ordered in just about any cocktail bar. The cocktail became famous mainly through an ingenious marketing strategy in the early 1940s. The ginger flavour of the Moscow Mule cocktail still appeals to the tastes of cocktail lovers all over the world. Discover the simple recipe now and prepare the drink easily at home!
Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe
- 6 cl vodka
- 2.5 cl lime juice
- 20 cl Ginger Beer (Ginger Lemonade)
Step by Step Guide
- Pour the vodka and lime juice into a copper mug.
- Stir and fill with ice.
- Add the ginger beer, grain and serve.
In order to prepare the Moscow Mule, it is recommended to use a copper mug. Only then can the drink be presented in its original form. Pour the vodka and lime juice into the copper mug and stir both ingredients well. It is best to use a bar spoon for this. Afterwards, fill the cup with ice and then with ginger beer. You can use a lime wedge or a thin slice of cucumber as a garnish. Now the Moscow Mule is prepared and you can serve and enjoy the drink.
Bar accessories
- Copper mug
- Ice cubes
- Bar spoon
Moscow Mule Taste Profile
51 Reviews
The taste of the Moscow Mule depends almost entirely on the ginger beer and vodka used. The taste is slightly sweet and slightly alcoholic. The mild and fruity flavours that arise from the interaction of ginger beer, vodka and lime juice dominate.
Tips for the perfect Moscow Mule
Make Ginger Beer yourself
When preparing cocktails, you always have the option of making ginger beer yourself. This gives them a fresh, tangy taste from natural ginger. You can find out exactly how to do this in our blog: Make your own Ginger Beer.
Fresh lime juice
We recommend using fresh lime juice when preparing cocktails. This ensures a fruity-fresh taste. In addition, fresh fruit usually tastes much more intense.
Classic in a copper mug
The Moscow Mule is only washed down when served in a copper mug. It was this cup that made the cocktail more or less as famous as it is today. Prepare the drink in a copper mug and surprise your guests!
History
The Moscow Mule was made popular in the USA in the early 1940s. The brand “Smirnoff” was heavily involved in making the vodka cocktail known. The spirit vodka was to be introduced to the American market. In cooperation with a lemonade manufacturer, the company came up with an ingenious marketing strategy. To establish the Moscow Mule on the market, it was marketed together with a copper mug. Every bar that bought vodka and ginger beer received a copper mug for free. Another positive side effect: if a Moscow Mule is served in a copper mug in a bar, the other guests become aware of it and also want to try such a cocktail.
Later, Smirnoff unceremoniously changed its slogan to English: “Smirnoff White Whiskey. No Taste. No Smell.” Loosely translated, this meant something like: “White whiskey, no taste, no smell”. The strategy was very successful, triggering a veritable vodka boom in the USA in the early 1950s that continues to this day. The popularity of vodka increased more and more in the USA, so that after the Second World War it became the most popular spirit of all, and that in a country that itself produces excellent whiskey. This hype lasted so long in the USA that even today the USA imports the most vodka in the world.
Today, the drink is one of the best-known and most popular cocktails of all. But that was not always the case. When the first cocktails were mixed in the mid-19th century, numerous recipes were created with gin, rum, whisky, tequila, arrack and many other spirits. But not with vodka. Vodka only established itself much later, in the 20th century. From then on, vodka cocktails really took off. Vodka is very adaptable and can be mixed with various other spirits and fruit juices to make delicious cocktails and long drinks.
Despite its late start on the bartending scene, some cocktail classics have developed with vodka as the base spirit. The Moscow Mule, Sex on the Beach, White Russian or Bloody Mary are very well-known drinks that can be ordered in just about any bar. For some spirits, even the base spirit has been replaced by vodka. For example, in the Cosmopolitan, the gin has been replaced by vodka.
The Ginger Beer in Cocktail
Moscow Mule would not be the same without ginger beer. This drink gives the drink its certain spice and that special something. However, by mixing it with different flavoured vodkas, a wide variety of other tastes can be created. Ginger beer can also be used in other drinks. Mixing ginger beer with dark rum or bourbon whiskey is possible.
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Moscow Mule - FAQ
How do you prepare a Moscow Mule?
To prepare it, first pour the vodka into a copper mug together with ice cubes and the lime juice. Then add crushed ice and fill the glass to the brim with ginger beer. Then serve immediately.
What is a Moscow Mule?
The Moscow Mule is one of the most famous vodka cocktails ever. The drink is served in a copper mug and can be found on almost every cocktail bar menu. An absolute classic!
What does the Vodka Cocktail taste like?
The Moscow Mule tastes refreshing and like lime juice. However, the taste of the ginger beer is clearly in the foreground. Therefore, choose a high-class ginger beer to enjoy a Moscow Mule.
Who invented the Moscow Mule?
It is not known exactly who invented the drink. However, the drink first became famous through an ingenious marketing ploy by the vodka manufacturer Smirnoff. For every bottle of vodka and ginger beer sold, a copper mug and the recipe for the Moscow Mule were added free of charge. This has made the drink one of the best-known and most popular mixed drinks to date.
Do you absolutely need a copper mug to make it?
No, you can also enjoy the Moscow Mule in a tumbler or in some cases from a long drink glass. However, for the genuine original feeling, you should definitely use a copper mug.