The Legend of Moscow Mule Mug
Copper has been used for drinking purposes for several years. In ancient times, people used to drink from copper goblet and Indian yogis used copper cups. Most of the cocktails require specific type of glassware, for example martini glass and highball. However, if you are a Moscow Mule fan, copper mug is a must. If we go by the old tales about the genesis of this drink, back in 1930s, John Martin who was the President of G.F. Heublein & Brothers purchased a vodka distillery called Smirnoff, in an effort to market the cocktail craze.
One day, while he was visiting his friend who owned one of the pubs in Hollywood, he revealed the fact that he could sell Smirnoff. Hearing this, his friend complained that he couldn’t sell his ginger beer. Sophie Berezinski, one of the customers at the pub, overheard their plight. She told them that she deigned pure copper mugs, which she has been trying to sell. This led to a great invention – the three thought about taking the benefit out of their losses by combining their items. The trio created a cocktail recipe that could save each of their respective endeavours. Vodka was mixed with ginger beer and served in the copper mugs, embossed with a kicking mule. And this resulted in the creation of one of the most popular cocktails, which the world now knows as The Moscow Mule. It highlighted the smooth Smiroff Vodka with the kickass ginger beer, and was served in Berezinski’s amazingly crafted mugs. It became a huge hit within a couple of years, aided by the Hollywood and their fondness for the latest cocktail trends.
Two generations later Resnick, the great grandson and founder of relaunched Moscow Copper, brought back the beautifully created copper mugs that helped make the cocktail famous. He launched the company, manufacturing his grandmother’s original mule design. After a trip abroad in which he found the famous cocktail being served in cups of all shapes, colors and sizes, he was quite inspired to bring back the authentic mug. He wanted people to know the actual shape that the Moscow Mule was created in; he wanted to tell the world that it was cylindrical shape and not a barrel like so many bars use.
And he did it. The company gained name and fame overnight and they got more business then they could handle.