An essential bar supply for a Moscow Mule.

Vodka remains the most popular liquor for cocktails in the United States, serving as the key component of over 35 of the top 100 cocktails. Common drinks, like the Bloody Mary, the vodka martini or Screwdriver are always a hit with guests, but if you want to wow them, take a chance on the Moscow Mule.

The Moscow Mule was created in 1941, and quickly grew in popularity along the coasts, especially with celebrities. John Martin, the American distributor of Smirnoff vodka, faced serious financial issues due to low sales and an unknown brand. He developed the Moscow Mule as a marketing scheme, and traveled the country pitching his vodka to bartenders. By the end of the decade, the Moscow Mule rode the surge of demand for vodka drinks and became a staple of bars and resorts throughout the country. Many credit the Moscow Mule for saving Smirnoff, and making it a household name.

The Moscow Mule is a smooth, semi-sweet drink that’s refreshing on warm days, and comforting during cold nights. The drink is typically served in a copper mug, though a Collins glass can be used if you don’t have the proper bar supplies.

Ingredients:
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• 2 oz. Vodka
• 5 oz. Ginger Beer
Mixing:
• Squeeze the lime into the mug, and drop the rind in for extra flavor
• Add ice to taste
• Fill with vodka and ginger beer, or ginger ale for a sweeter drink
• Stir gently
• Garnish with a lime

Having the right bar supplies isn’t enough to make your party stand out; you need drinks that your guests will remember. For your next party, knock their socks off with a tasty Moscow Mule.

A quick bar guide for the Moscow Mule.