There are many different drink vessels for a variety of specific drinks.
Copper Moscow Mule Mugs
Silver or Pewter Mint Julep cups
These beverages seem to taste better when we drink from their intended vessel, but some reports are saying that the quality of the cup and the way its lined can make the difference between enjoying your beverage and getting sick from your indulgence. More specifically, your Moscow Mule Mug.
The state of Iowa is making changes in regulations for the food and beverage industry to assure that consumers are sipping from the right kind of cup
See this story
The state health officials concluded that using the signature mug for alcoholic beverages - or any food or liquid with a pH balance of below 6 - could result in food poisoning or copper poisoning, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice.
Going even further, the state of Iowa has declared that they will follow an FDA code on copper mugs, which “prohibits copper from coming into direct contact with foods that have a pH below 6.0.”
What falls below a pH of 6.0? Wine, as well as vinegar, fruit juice, and pretty much all of the ingredients that make up a Moscow mule - vodka, ginger beer and lime juice.
In a statement from the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, they assert that:
“High concentrations of copper are poisonous and have caused foodborne illness. When copper and copper allow surfaces contact acidic foods, copper may be leached into the food.”
Fortunately for Moscow mule enthusiasts - there is a way to indulge in the beverage with the unique copper cup. According to the same statement, liquids from copper mugs with an inner lining of nickel, stainless steel or another metal are safe to consume.
Call it a true silver lining.
Copper Moscow Mule Mugs
Silver or Pewter Mint Julep cups
These beverages seem to taste better when we drink from their intended vessel, but some reports are saying that the quality of the cup and the way its lined can make the difference between enjoying your beverage and getting sick from your indulgence. More specifically, your Moscow Mule Mug.
The state of Iowa is making changes in regulations for the food and beverage industry to assure that consumers are sipping from the right kind of cup
See this story
The state health officials concluded that using the signature mug for alcoholic beverages - or any food or liquid with a pH balance of below 6 - could result in food poisoning or copper poisoning, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice.
Going even further, the state of Iowa has declared that they will follow an FDA code on copper mugs, which “prohibits copper from coming into direct contact with foods that have a pH below 6.0.”
What falls below a pH of 6.0? Wine, as well as vinegar, fruit juice, and pretty much all of the ingredients that make up a Moscow mule - vodka, ginger beer and lime juice.
In a statement from the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, they assert that:
“High concentrations of copper are poisonous and have caused foodborne illness. When copper and copper allow surfaces contact acidic foods, copper may be leached into the food.”
Fortunately for Moscow mule enthusiasts - there is a way to indulge in the beverage with the unique copper cup. According to the same statement, liquids from copper mugs with an inner lining of nickel, stainless steel or another metal are safe to consume.
Call it a true silver lining.
Haven't tried it for a mint julep
.
