There’s no question about the popularity of the Moscow Mule cocktail today. A combination of vodka, lime, the foundational flavor of ginger beer, and that classic copper mug is now a leisure-time staple. How did it get that way? Well, the key ingredients of this fair-weather favorite have an interesting history involving one of Houston’s celebrated vendors: Cock ‘n Bull.

History of the Moscow Mule

During the 1940’s, Smirnoff Vodka was finding it difficult to compete with whiskey and gin in the American market. Having recently acquired distribution for the brand, John Martin (of Heublein, a spirits distributor) had the idea that, with the right partner, he could market Smirnoff as a mixer to boost its sales. At the same time, Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant owner and Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer inventor Jack Morgan was looking to promote his product as a stronger alternative to traditional ginger ale.

When these two friends finally met over some drinks, they developed a cocktail that recalled Smirnoff’s Russian heritage while featuring the “kick” of flavor that Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer presented. To identify both aspects of the cocktail, they gave it the name “Moscow Mule.”

The Copper Mug

As the story goes, Jack and John weren’t the only two people in the bar the night that the Moscow Mule was invented. Osalene Schmitt, Jack Morgan’s girlfriend, had recently inherited a copper factory with no prospects for business. With that element in the mix, the three decided to give the Moscow Mule a signature serving container, using copper mugs.

Houston’s offers Moscow Mule Mugs that feature a copper-plated exterior, preserving the original marketing of the Moscow Mule while meeting FDA guidelines for safe beverage consumption. Since these mugs still prominently feature copper, your customers can go on promoting the Moscow Mule’s classic look.

The Many Mules

Cock ‘n Bull is most known for its traditional Ginger Beer and its application in the now classic Moscow Mule, but this brand offers a diverse cast of flavors that can add variety far beyond one cocktail recipe.

Ginger isn’t just for cocktails! The flavor has been trending for a few years, now. Learn more about the root of the spice’s success in our blog post, discussing the rise of Ginger Fever.