Moscow Mule

Every decade has its spin doctors.

Jack Morgan ran a bar in Hollywood in the 1940s. Alongside it, he was struggling to make a success of his Cock’n’Bull ginger beer franchise. Enter the Spin Doctor, John Martin.

Between them they invented the Moscow Mule, which mixed Smirnoff vodka with ginger beer.

With the aid of a Polaroid camera and specially produced copper mugs, Martin set off on a tour of the country to promote their cocktail creation. He was spectacularly successful. At least as far as Smirnoff was concerned: their sales increased dramatically. The report didn’t say what happened to Cock’n’Bull…

• 1¼ oz vodka
• 3 oz ginger beer
• 1 teaspoon sugar syrup*
• ¼ oz lime juice

Traditionally a copper mug is still used for a Moscow Mule but if you don’t have one, use a tumbler.

Fill a glass with ice. Pour over the vodka. Add the sugar syrup and lime juice. Finish off with the ginger beer. Garnish with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.

Sugar syrup
Mix equal parts by volume of icing sugar and water. Heat until dissolved. Allow to cool. 1 teaspoon of icing sugar gives you 1 oz of sugar syrup.