The Moscow Mule: Everything You Need to Know

It Was Advertised Through a Catchy Jingle

At one point, the Moscow Mule was originally known as the "Smirnoff Mule," and the iconic cocktail was promoted through a unique marketing approach. The brand employed Killer Joe Piro's dance moves and Carmen McRae's catchy tune to create a jingle that captured the attention of the masses.

Unfortunately, there are no known recordings of the jingle, but the lyrics have been preserved: "Stand stubborn, stop, sudden, look cool. Turn it on; take it off, the Smirnoff Mule!"

This innovative marketing campaign helped popularize the drink and paved the way for its enduring legacy.

The Safety of Copper Mugs Is Still Debated

The safety of using copper mugs for serving Moscow Mules has been a subject of debate for years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has guidelines that state food and drinks with a pH level below 6 should not come into contact with copper as it could potentially leach into them.

In 2017, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division banned pure copper mugs from being used to serve Moscow Mules due to the beverage’s acidic ingredients. However, they still allow copper mugs lined with food-safe metals such as stainless steel to be used to serve Moscow Mules.

Despite this, some people still believe that unlined copper mugs are safe to use. According to Trisha Andrew, an assistant professor of chemistry at UMass Amherst, copper poisoning only occurs when an acidic mixture is contained in copper for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, it would take a 30mg per liter copper to trigger copper poisoning symptoms, which is an almost-impossible amount to consume in a single cocktail serving.

The Moscow Mule is a legendary cocktail with an interesting, albeit murky, history. Despite that sometimes-troubled past, it now stands as one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S. It is also highly customizable with different ingredients and mixers, so branch out and explore some of these Moscow Mule recipes today!

*The actual year of Moscow Mule's genesis is still debated today, though most sources claim 1941 to be the correct year.