Paul Clarke

4 weeks ago | seriouseats.com | Paul Clarke |Paul Clarke

Vodka may be the most prominent single spirit on the back bar today, but in the 1940s, the situation was very different. The story goes that in 1941, in an effort to market the then-exotic Russian spirit, executives from Heublein—then owners of Smirnoff vodka—collaborated with the owner of the Cock 'n Bull Tavern in Hollywood to create this simple, memorable drink composed of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, served over ice in a copper mug.