Many classic cocktails have murky histories behind them. Think about the Cosmopolitan or the Long Island Iced Tea. The origins of these drinks have long been debated, and it’s likely that we’ll never know exactly how they were created.
Another cocktail on the list of mysterious drinks is the Moscow Mule. This mixed drink consists of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. It is known for being served in its signature copper mug.
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Nowadays, there are several different variations of the Moscow Mule, but those three ingredients are what make up the original recipe.
This cocktail tastes spicy but sweet. It’s bold and has solid acidity, but it’s also remarkably smooth. Its extreme fizziness is complimented well by its intense ginger flavor, and this cocktail goes down very easily.
The Moscow Mule is perfect for enjoying a hot summer day. It is paired beautifully with light, Asian meals like Thai noodle salad or Indian cashew butter paneer.
But where does this decadent drink come from? Is it actually from Moscow? Find out below with Saucey! Today, we’re going to be discussing this classic drink’s origin and history.
Where did the Moscow Mule come from?
It is generally believed that the Moscow Mule was first created in the USA during the 1940s. During this time, vodka was rarely consumed in America, largely being perceived as a Russian drink.
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John G. Martin, the owner of one of the first U.S. vodka brands, Heublein & Brothers, was attempting to break this norm. However, he was having some major issues trying to convince Americans to try his alcohol.
One night at the Chatom Hotel in New York City, Martin found himself in the company of his friend John “Jack” Morgan, owner of the Hollywood Cock’n Bull Restaurant and president of Cock’n Bull Products. At the time, Morgan was struggling to market a ginger beer that his brand had made.
Out of pure spontaneity, the two decided to mix some of the vodka and ginger beer they had. They served it with ice and a squeeze of lemon juice.
They served the first cocktail to actor Broderick Crawford, who happened to be in the building that night. A few days later, the drink was given the name of “the Moscow Mule.”
The “Moscow” element of the name comes from vodka’s Russian birthplace, and the “Mule” part of the name comes from the ginger beer, which gives the cocktail a kick. Little did these three men know that they had just invented a classic drink that would be enjoyed for decades.
A spike in popularity
Martin and Morgan quickly realized that they had just created something special. They decided to work together to brand the Moscow Mule officially and market it as a new drink.
Martin had recently purchased the Smirnoff distillery, which caused him to have an excess supply of vodka. This allowed him to take on this new business venture without fear of loss.
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The cocktail first began growing in popularity on the West Coast, particularly in Hollywood. Considering that all three of its creators were losing time and money with their previous business pursuits, this invention proved to be a huge success.
From this point on, vodka started to become accepted as a drink in the United States. Today, it is one of the most popular spirits in the country.
The Moscow Mule’s different claims to fame
Though this account of Martin, Morgan, and Price is usually accepted as the origin story of the Moscow Mule, there is some controversy about how the inspiration behind the drink came to be.
Martin and Morgan have stated that they created the drink. But that might actually not be the case. According to Wes Price, a bartender of Morgan’s, he was also there that night and contributed to the drink’s creation.
Apparently, that night, Martin and Morgan were chatting with Price, who was trying to get rid of extra product that he had in his basement. He had a surplus of deadstock, namely Smirnoff Vodka and ginger beer. As a result, he suggested mixing these two drinks.
There’s actually another version of this story too. Instead of Price, this version involves Rudolph Kunett, president of Pierre Smirnoff, Heublein’s vodka division. According to this account, the three were enjoying a casual night of drinking when they randomly decided to pour up their vodka with ginger beer.
It is unknown who was actually present the night that this drink was created. However, it is certain that Martin and Morgan were the catalysts behind its explosion onto the scene.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
