Even if you ca n’t list the ingredient in a Moscow Mule , you may be able to recognize one from across a prevention : The simple combination of vodka , burnt lime juice , and ginger beer is traditionally dish out in a copper mug . But that voguish vessel could stick a serious wellness threat , according to public health official . AsCBS Newsreports , the potential difference for food toxic condition from those iconic cups is severe enough that the United States Department of State of Iowa is film a stand against them .

fuzz is commonly used to make kitchenware like potbelly and pans , but when it do into contact lens with sealed foods , it can be dangerous . food and liquids that have a pH scale lower than 6.0 , and are therefore acidic , can erode the copper and copper alloys and cause them to flux with whatever ’s being consumed . The pH of lime succus falls between 2.0 and 2.35 [ PDF ] , so the luck of copper contamination from a Moscow Mule squish inside a copper mug all night are mellow .

Symptoms of copper poisoning include vomiting , abdominal pain , diarrhoea , and jaundiced skin or jaundice . Even if you feel okay after a nighttime of Moscow Mule imbibing , long - condition effectslike liver price can fall out over clock time . In response to these hazard , Iowa ’s Alcoholic Beverages Division release a statement [ PDF ] advising against the use of Moscow Mule mug . “ The late popularity of Moscow Mules , an alcoholic cocktail typically served in a copper soft touch , has lead to inquiries regarding the safe use of copper mug and this beverage , ” it interpret . “ The use of copper and copper alloys as a food contact surface is limited in Iowa . ”

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If you ’re hesitant to put your Moscow Mule obsession to bed , there are slipway to enjoy the drink safely without sacrificing the classic look . When sprout your bar at domicile , check that to include copper color mugs line with food - good metallic element like nickel or unstained brand . And when you ’re ordering the drink elsewhere , you may chequer with the bartender to see if they have similar container . If not , ask for the drink in a boring one-time glass is your safe stake .

[ h / tCBS News ]