The Retreat From Moscow

The Retreat From Moscow

The Retreat From Moscow

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail that has largely faded into obscurity, but it's a cocktail that vodka lovers should praise. Without it, today's multitude of martinis might never have come into being.

John G. Martin Changed Vodka History

Once upon a time, vodka was little known in the United States. As recently as the 1930s, America was largely a whiskey nation. When it came to clear spirits, gin reigned supreme, and vodka was basically written off as peasant drink. A gentleman by the name of John G. Martin had a wild notion that he could change that.

Martin was president of G.F. Hueblein Brothers, Inc., a wine and spirit importer. The company had survived the prohibition era thanks largely due to another product still well-loved in the United States, A-1 Steak Sauce. But with Prohibition over, Martin was looking for a new project and a new product, and he was ready to gamble.

He bought a vodka distiller, and acquired a vodka recipe from a Russian immigrant for a mere $14,000 dollars. That recipe had originally belonged to a Russian family named Smirnov, and was marketed under the brand name Smirnoff. Martin was sure everyone would love it. Critics weren't so sure, and referred to the purchase as 'Martin's folly.'