What effect does the copper from the mug have on the chemistry of a moscow mule?

Just did a little research here and it looks like the methodology of the copper mug not only keeps the drink colder than glass but the copper enhances the zest and zing of the lime juice, giving it more of a bite. Damn, I just got back from the store and now I wish I had picked up some cocktail fixins’. haha

The mugs are available both lined and unlined. The unlined ones would react from the lime to put small amount of copper in the drink. ^ @Coloma beat me to it.

Its a marketing ploy. Nothing more. Supposing you have a pure copper mug- the copper oxidises creating a coating of copper oxide on the surface. The acid in the lime will react with the copper oxide to add a small amount of copper salt to the drink but the acid is diluted by the rest of the stuff in the drink and the layer of copper oxide is only a molecule thick so anything added to the drink will be miniscule.

@Lightlyseared Okay, then there is no magic chemical reaction but WTF..it still looks cool in a copper mug. I’m happy with the aesthetic side. lol

I just saw some copper mugs.
http://www.bulkapothecary.com/copper-moscow-mule-mug-16oz/

I have some serious soap supply envy from that site.

@Lightlyseared is correct. It’s just tradition. It’s like serving a martini in one of those martini glasses. There is a bunch of lore about the type of glass for beer too.

“soap supply envy”

??

FYI – On another note of similar chemical interest, never dish up your caviar with a metal spoon: you’ll ruin it. It is always served with a spoon made of bone, although plastic might work just as well.

…..and never use soap in your champagne glasses, ruins the bubbles.

Soap is also a no-no for beer glass/mug/stein, and also for a coffee carafe.

@Strauss It’s why in every good beer taproom they rinse the glasses before pouring the beer.

@Rarebear That’s also why Joe the Bartender was always wiping beer glasses whenever the scene opened.

^ Soap on the rims only.

An added advantage of the glass rinsing thingy is it cools the glass down keeping your beer cooler for longer.

Little change if any. Any chemical reaction would cause a tarnishing/corrosion/patina, even minimal, on the inside of the mug which would decease any effect over time.