The Moscow Mule started life (weirdly) in 1950s Manhattan as part of the explosion in vodka popularity across the US.

It was created by John G. Martin and Jack Morgan in order to help them shift more ginger beer and, holy hell, did it work.

The vintage classic takes Russian vodka and combines it with lime juice, bitters and the aforementioned ginger beer. Oh, and if you want to do it the proper way, always serve it in a copper mug.

Here’s the only Moscow Mule recipe you’ll ever need:

Equipment

Boston tin
Copper mug

Moscow Mule ingredients

50ml Stoli vodka
12.5ml lime juice
Dash of bitters
Ginger beer (Old Jamaica or similar) to top

Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint

How to make a Moscow Mule

  1. Firstly, fill your Boston tin with cubed ice and throw in your lime juice.
  2. Chuck in a dash of bitters then add the vodka.
  3. Pop on the shaker lid and shake for 7 seconds.
  4. Strain the mixture over fresh ice into a glass (or copper mug if you like to keep with tradition – like us).
  5. Top up with a quality ginger beer and, finally, garnish with lime and a mint sprig.

And there you go. Straight-up US/Russian diplomacy in a cup. Or mug.

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