We’re celebrating the art of the summer cocktail, the elegance of copper Moscow Mule mugs, and the Southern charm of silver julep cups.
What elevates a perfect summer afternoon to an unforgettable memory? The clinking of glasses filled with refreshing cocktails. We’ll explore the timeless elegance of copper Moscow Mule mugs and the Southern charm of silver Julep cups. Get ready to learn about the history of these famous drinks, their tumblers and tools, and how to create restaurant-quality cocktails at home.
The Allure of Metal Drinkware for Summer Cocktails:
Beyond their simple aesthetics, metal drinkware offers a distinct advantage for summer cocktails. During these hot summer months, copper and silver cups allow you to keep your drinks cooler, making them last longer at your favorite barbecues or garden parties. Both mugs can lower internal temperatures due to their thermal conductivity (or how efficiently they can conduct heat). Silver cups especially have better insulation than glass because they reflect heat. So, they’re not only stylish, but they also serve a purpose.
The Mint Julep: A Silver Southern Tradition
The history of the Mint Julep is long and storied, predating the cocktail. The idea of this drink started simply as a medicinal tonic. However, when alcohol started being added, it became a go-to drink at bars around the 1800s. Jumping ahead to 1939, the Mint Julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby due to the popularity of Kentucky bourbon at the time. It was the perfect way to cool off while watching the horses race.
The cup itself is made of silver and has a tapered shape with a beaded or banded rim. It traces back to the early silversmiths of America, like Paul Revere. These types of cups were prized possessions for many wealthy families who would give them out in times of celebration. There are three types of julep cups: The Kentucky, the Georgia, and the Preisner. The first is the standard julep cup served at the derby; the second is a more flared version with a beaded bottom; and the Preisner Silver Company in Connecticut made the third to offer a cheaper model, which is now sold at most souvenir shops.
Copper’s Chilling Embrace:
Copper has exceptional thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It can kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and free radicals, making it one of the safest drinking vessels.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that every person in the U.S. born from 2008 on will use 1,309 pounds of copper during their lifetime for necessities, lifestyles, and health. The official website for copper was one of the first metals shaped by man, and some copper cookware is over 50 centuries old. While drinking from copper cups goes back to the bronze age, they became prevalent in the 1940s.
The Moscow Mule: A History of The Copper Cup.
In 1941, Sophie Berezinski immigrated from Russia to Los Angeles with 2,000 solid copper mugs from her father’s Moscow Copper Co. factory. The mugs were not selling in Russia, so Berezinski came to the U.S. hoping someone would buy them.
At Hollywood’s Cock n’ Bull pub, she met gentlemen who were struggling with their businesses. John Martin — the owner of the Smirnoff distillery struggling to sell vodka to an American market, and the bar’s owner, Jack Morgan, who had made his brand of ginger beer but had an overstock due to low demand. The three created a drink that included ginger beer, vodka, and lime — and the Moscow Mule was born.
The mugs are now made specifically for the drink, and many vodka brands, such as Absolute, create their own branded cups to promote their products. David Wondrich’s cocktail history book Imbibe provides more in-depth information on this cocktail and the Mint Julep.
Silver or Copper Essential Tools of the Cocktail Crafter:
Bar tools can be silver or copper, but whichever color you choose, you should always have these on hand to make great cocktails.
A Barspoon: The long-handled spoon for stirring drinks like Moscow Mules. The metal adds a touch of class and helps quickly chill the drink as you stir.
A Jigger: A bartender’s measuring cup is vital for accurately measuring everything from spirits to syrups. A metal jigger will look polished behind your bar and stay cool to the touch, preventing any unwanted heat transfer to your spirits.
A Muddler: For cocktails that call for muddled fruit or herbs — such as a Mint Julep, a metal muddler will help to keep the muddled ingredients chilled while extracting their flavorful oils.
A Shaker: While shaker tins come in various materials, silver or copper tins offer the benefit of rapid chilling. The metal quickly draws heat away from your cocktail as you shake it, ensuring a perfectly chilled and frothy drink.
The Art of the Cocktail: Mastering Two Summer Staples
Now that you have learned the history of silver and copper, learned the history of these drinks and grabbed all of your bar tools, you are ready to make these two drinks. Below are both the classic recipes and two easy cocktails created by a New York bartender to put a spin on these summer drinks.
The Classic Mint Julep
The ingredients:
2 oz bourbon whiskey.
½ oz simple syrup.
One handful of fresh mint leaves.
The Build:
- Add mint and simple syrup to your julep cup.
- Gently muddle mint to express the mint oils.
- Add crushed ice.
- Pour your bourbon over ice.
- Stir thoroughly with a barspoon.
- Add more crushed ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
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The Classic Moscow Mule
The ingredients:
2 oz vodka.
½ oz lime juice.
Ginger beer to top.
The Build:
- Add vodka and lime juice to your Moscow Mule mug.
- Add ice.
- Stir for about 60 seconds with a barspoon.
- Add ginger beer to top.
The Southern Peach Julep
The ingredients:
2 oz bourbon.
½ oz simple syrup.
One handful of fresh mint leaves.
Four fresh peach slices.
The Build:
- Add mint, simple syrup, and peaches to your julep cup.
- Gently muddle ingredients.
- Add crushed ice.
- Pour your Bourbon over your mixture.
- Stir thoroughly with a barspoon.
- Add more crushed ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and peach slice.
The Ruby Mule
The ingredients:
2 oz vodka.
¼ oz lime juice.
¼ oz grapefruit juice
frozen watermelon chunks
Ginger beer to top.
The Build:
- Add vodka, lime, and grapefruit juices to your Moscow Mule mug.
- Add frozen watermelon chunks in place of ice.
- Stir for about 60 seconds with a barspoon.
- Add ginger beer to top.
Biro & Sons: Friends of Party Hosts Everywhere
Your silver or copper drinkware is more than just a vessel. It’s a conversation starter, a connection to the past, and the perfect accompaniment to refreshing summer cocktails. You may have a cherished piece of drinkware passed down through generations, waiting to be brought back to its original luster.
Contact us today to discover how Biro & Sons can help you unlock the timeless elegance of metal cocktail glasses for your next summer gathering. Cheers!