Beware Moscow mule lovers: Copper mug might poison you

Beware Moscow mule lovers: Copper mug might poison you

The Moscow mule has become popular over recent year as a drink that gives a rustic, vintage feel to due to its copper mug. This fancy drink contains vodka and ginger beer along with lime, but what distinguishes this drink from others is the copper mug. Perhaps the copper mug makes it more fancy.

Alcoholic Beverages Division of Iowa has issued an advisory bulletin, which warns about the Moscow Mule being served in a copper mug.  According to the advisory, Iowa, as well as many other states, has adopted the federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Model Food Code, which prohibits copper from coming into direct contact with foods that have a pH below 6.0. Examples of foods with a pH below 6.0 include vinegar, fruit juice, or wine.

When copper and copper alloy surfaces contact acidic foods, copper may be leached into the food.

High concentrations of copper are poisonous and may cause foodborne illness such as diarrhea, vomiting and jaundice, and stomach pain according to the National Institutes of Health. “Sudden (acute) copper poisoning is rare,” NIH says. “However, serious health problems from long-term exposure to copper can occur. Severe poisoning can cause liver failure and death.”

While cooking an acidic or alkaline food with ingredients like vinegar, tomato, or lemon etc, prefer or stainless steel vessels or ceramics which are no reactive to heat. They do not affect the food chemically as other metals like copper, iron, brass, aluminum or steel do.

“The recent popularity of Moscow Mules, an alcoholic cocktail typically served in a copper mug, has led to inquiries regarding the safe use of copper mugs and this beverage,” the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division wrote. “This means that copper mugs that have a copper interior may not be used with this beverage.”

So whats the alternate?

As stated above the pH of a traditional Moscow Mule is well below 6.0. This means that copper mugs that have a copper interior may not be used with this beverage. However, there is a workaround available, copper mugs lined on the interior with another metal, such as nickel or stainless steel, are allowed to be used and are widely available.  That might not give the same feel as it does traditionally but its certainly safe. So next time you order Moscow Mule, make sure you check out the glass interior is not copper.

Happy Drinking.