Cobbler & Crew's Extra Spicy Twist to the Moscow Mule
History On The Rocks is Goya’s summer cocktail series in partnership with Smitha Menon. Here, we explore the often-unknown origin story behind our favourite classic cocktails. We will also be bringing you a modern take on the classic, from some of our favourite bars in the country. This week, the Moscow Mule.
Vodka, ginger beer and lime: three simple ingredients. One fabulous cocktail, the Moscow Mule.
In 1941, it was birthed as part of a marketing campaign by a fledgling vodka company. The company in questions: Smirnoff. At the time, John Martin was in possession of the floundering Smirnoff Vodka distillery — America had no interest in vodka and sales were down. His friend, Jack Morgan was in a similar bind; the owner of Cock ‘n Bull ginger beer was trying to introduce America to the fizzy drink. While discussing a possible future, they bumped into Sophie Berezinski — she immigrated to the United States from Russia carrying solid copper mugs made by her father in their factory in Russia. The union of the three turned out to be fortuitous, and led to a drink, the Moscow Mule. It had vodka, the fizziness of ginger beer, and the cooling properties of copper.
Another story has it that in Cock 'n Bull in Hollywood, bartender Wes Price, created the drink to get rid of excess vodka and ginger beer in the basement.
Whatever the origin story, the Moscow Mule has endured through time.
High energy cocktail bar in Pune, Cobbler & Crew, does experimental, bold but fun drinks. Their take on the Moscow Mule has a nice spicy kick.
COBBLER & CREW’S RECIPE FOR MOSCOW MULE
Ingredients
60 ml vodka
15 ml fresh lime juice
180 ml ginger beer
3 dashes five spice tincture
2 fresh basil leaves
Fresh lime wedge and fresh basil sprig for garnish
Method
In a Mule mug, add in all the ingredients in the above order.
Stir, and serve.
History on the Rocks is a series in partnership with Smitha Menon. Join us as we explore the stories behind our favourite cocktails and how they traveled to us. Each history lesson is followed by a cocktail recipe from some of the country’s top bartenders.
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