When I first moved to Colorado, before moving to Jackson, I heard all this talk about a drink called a Moscow Mule. Everyone raved about it and said nothing but delicious things.
So, of course I had to find out for myself what all the hype was all about it. The first Moscow Mule I ever had was at a little neighborhood bar in Denver called The Candlelight Tavern. Sitting at the bar, I watched the bartender muddle some fresh limes and then pour vodka and ginger beer in a shaker, mix it up and then do something that was unexpected: poured the concoction into a really cool looking copper mug. I was surprised, impressed and excited all at the same time about tasting this perfectly prepared drink. The combination of muddled limes with vodka and ginger beer was a treat to my palette. And I truly believe the taste of the liquid mixture with the hint of copper from the mug is what really gives the drink it’s distinct flavor. Every bar I visited in Denver seemed to have Moscow Mules served in copper mugs. Needless to say, I hopped on the Moscow Mule train and never looked back.
Moving to Jackson, I hoped the Moscow Mules were just as popular as they were back in Denver. Before searching around town to see which bars and restaurants carried the ginger, citrus-y concoction, I wanted to research the drink itself.
According to liquor.com, the Moscow Mule was invented around 1941 by a Smirnoff representative and a Los Angeles bar owner. The international liquor rep was having a hard time convincing people to drink vodka in the states, and the bar owner had accidentally ordered too much ginger beer and was having a hard time selling it in the bar. Another factor of how the drink came into existence is that the bar owner’s girlfriend owned a company that made and sold copper products so the copper mugs were easy for him to come by.
The name of the drink came to be because the drink is considered a buck, or mule, cocktail, which means any mixed drink that involves ginger ale or ginger beer mixed with any type of citrus juice and any number of base liquors. The Moscow part of the name refers to the popular perception of vodka as a Russian product. So, there you have it, the infamous Moscow Mule.
Even though there aren’t many traditional Moscow Mules served in a copper mug offered in Jackson, you can still get your fix here. The Town Square Tavern offers one of the best Moscows I have had here. Served in the copper mug, they make it with muddled limes and Gosling’s ginger beer, which is one of the better brands. They then pour either 360 or 44 North vodka into the concoction and add a touch of Rose’s lime juice for extra sweetness.
They also offer an alternative with a twist, using either huckleberry vodka or Stoli Razberi vodka for a different flavor. Pay only $7 and get a traditional mule in a mug, but not without collateral. Because the mugs are so valuable, the Tavern asks that you either let them hold your ID or another belonging while you use their copper mug. Once, you’re done, you trade in the mug for your id and go on your merry way.
The White Buffalo Club is also serving up traditional Moscow Mules in their bar. The Mangy Moose, The Handle Bar, Lift, and Cafe Genevieve have Moscow Mules, but don’t serve them traditionally in the copper mug, just in a regular glass.
Having a cocktail party at your house and want to serve Moscow Mules to your friends? Visit Belle Cose and purchase a copper mug there, individually, for $35. Travel over to The Liquor Store and pick up any desired vodka, regular or flavored, a couple of limes and a six pack of Gosling’s ginger beer and you are all set. The recipe for a Moscow Mule is simple and easy: muddled limes and/or lime juice, two ounces of vodka, and ginger beer over ice. Stir, serve and enjoy!!
