Featured in this week's New York Times, The Moscow Mule and it's iconic copper mug seem to be popping up everywhere. This week's Tales of The Cocktail convention in New Orleans, has even declared this, "the year of the Mule".  Here are some mules to try in Miami. 

Legend has it the Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 by John C. Martin and Jack Morgan at the Los Angeles pub Cock ‘n’ Bull when cases of Smirnoff Vodka ( NOT from Russia…but actually distilled in Bethel, Connecticut ) and ginger beer were crowding the basement storage.

Wes Price, the bartender at the time, said he was just trying to clear out the basement.

At the same time, a Russian immigrant named Sophie Berezinski came to California with 2,000 copper mugs she had designed in her father’s copper shop in Russia. She carted them around L.A., trying to sell them “lest her husband toss them in a trash heap.” She found willing buyers at the Cock ‘N’ Bull who wanted something to make their drink stand out. 

The original vodka of choice was US based Smirnoff, a tiny company owned by an almost penniless Russian ex-pat and purchased in 1939 by Cock n Bull owner John Martin where it would become the vodka of choice for a properly made mule for decades.

With that year in mind, 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the Moscow Mule and Miami is no stranger to the refreshing vodka based drink that is no longer limited to Smirnoff.

Here a few of local Miami Mules and the watering holes where they may be found:

Wynwood Mule- $12-

The hipster version of the Moscow Mule - named after one of Miami’s trendiest neighborhoods, the smoky Wynwood Mule come on draft and is served in a customized tin cup featuring the restaurant’s entryway mural.

Ketel One

Roasted Pineapple

Lime & ginger beer

Where: KYU 251 NW 25 St. Miami, FL 33127

Dragonfruit Mule- $14-

Stephen Starr’s, The Continental features global cuisine and fabulous tiki-inspired cocktails. The Dragonfruit Mule’s bright fuchsia color works beautifully in the mid-century modern setting.

Reyka Vodka

Dragonfruit purée

Fresh lime

Fever Tree ginger beer

 Where: The Continental Miami 2360 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139

Mekhong Mule- $12-

A Thai-twist on a classic drink. Check out NaiYaRa’s one-of-a-kind Asian variation:

½ oz lime juice

¾ oz lemongrass ginger syrup

1 ½ oz Absolut Elyx

Build ingredients over crushed ice in a copper mug; Topped off with sparkling sake

Where: NaiYaRa 1854 Bay Road Miami Beach, FL 33139

Nazca Mule- $11-

A Peruvian twist on the mule crafted by skilled mixologist Joel Mesa of Pisco Y Nazca:

Pisco Cuatro Gallos

Fever Tree Ginger Beer

Fresh Lime Juice

Where: Pisco y Nazca 8405 Mills Drive Suite #206 Miami, FL 33183

Moscow Mule- $12-

Bulla Gastrobar’s mule is a fresh version on the classic and uses Smirnoff:

Smirnoff vodka

Fever Tree ginger beer

Fresh lime

Cardamom

Currant infused syrup

Where: Bulla Gastrobar set to open in Downtown Doral at NW 87th Avenue

Briland Buck- $12-

Prefer rum over vodka? Or simply looking for a twist on a regular Moscow Mule? Opt for Rum Ambassador Isaac Grillo's “Briland Buck” with an Asian twist:

  1 oz Yuzu

  1 1/2 oz AFROHEAD Briland 07 Rum

2 oz Fever Tree ginger beer

Instructions: Build all ingredients over crushed ice in a copper mug; garnish with a lemongrass straw.

Where: Repour/AFROHEAD Rum, created by Isaac Grillo 1650 James Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139

Rhubarb Mule- $16-

Komodo’s hand-crafted cocktail takes the Moscow Mule to the next level with its distinct flavor.

50 Bleu Vodka

Lime

Rhubarb purée

Simple syrup

Fever Tree ginger beer

Where: Komodo 801 Brickell Ave Miami, FL 33131

Lychee Mule- $12-

Combine these ingredients for a unique Asian twist on the traditional Moscow Mule.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Lychee purée

Lime juice

SOHO lychee liqueur

Ginger beer

Where: Sushi Garage 1784 West Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139

Elderflower Mule- $18-

Juvia’s version can be enjoyed while overlooking the amazing view of South Beach

Effin Cucumber Vodka

St. Germain Elderflower

Lime Juice

Ginger Beer

Lemongrass Syrup

Grapefruit

Where: Juvia 1111 Lincoln Rd Miami Beach FL  33139

Thank you to Carma PR for providing these delicious and creative Moscow Mule recipes