Moscow Mule cocktail recipe

You’d think with a name like Moscow Mule that this vodka-based cocktail came from the Kremlin itself. Surprisingly, this ginger-riffic cocktail was born in the not-so-Russian streets of Los Angeles, USA.

It’s a tale as old as time, and a very relatable one for many bartenders. The Moscow Mule cocktail was concocted to move stock. Not the most romantic of beginnings, but definitely the most practical and successful. As the legend goes, businessman John G. Martin had recently obtained the rights to Smirnoff Vodka, but was having the darndest time selling it to Americans (turns out American people were sticking with the two more popular choices of the time, whiskey and gin).

At the same time, his old mate Jack Morgan, owner of the famous Cock ’n’ Bull Bar on Sunset Boulevard, was having his own trouble selling his line of ginger beer. In what could only be described as a ‘light bulb moment’, Cock ’n’ Bull bartender Wes Price mixed John’s vodka with Jack’s ginger beer together with ice and a splash of lime juice to create what’s now a classic.

While we’re talking about right-place-right-time moments, at the exact moment Wes mixed his first Moscow Mule, a Russian woman named Sophie Berezinski walked into the bar (no, this isn’t the beginning of a great joke). She had just inherited a large copper factory in Russia and travelled to America to spruik her wares. Upon seeing her copper cups, Wes decided to assemble the drink in the copper cup, and the rest is history.

Why do we love this cocktail so much? Well, aside from its charming little origin story, it’s pretty versatile. The Moscow Mule is part of the Mule family, which means there are plenty of different ways to mix one up. So, while the Moscow Mule is strictly made with vodka, if you sub out the vodka for gin, you have a Gin Mule. Prefer a tipple of tequila in your cocktails? No problem! Take out that vodka and replace it with your favourite tequila and you’ve got yourself a Mexican Mule.

Aside from that, our top tip is to make sure – as with every drink – you’re using plenty of ice and your garnishes look schmick. While the Moscow Mule is a delicious drink, it’s also a very brown-looking cocktail, so we need to really pretty it up with a vibrant green wheel of lime.