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We’ve all enjoyed the refreshing taste of a Moscow Mule on a hot summer's day, in those trendy copper mugs. But did you know that drinking alcohol from a copper mug can be upsetting to your health?

The Food and Drug Administration’s Model Food Code “prohibits copper from coming into direct contact with foods that have a pH below 6.0.” Some of these includes juices, alcohol, soda, coffee and teas. Pure copper vessels should never be used for cooking or consuming anything other than drinking water.

Drinking water out of a pure copper vessel is a very common practice in the 5000 year old natural health system of Ayurveda. It helps detox the body, speeds up metabolism and protects you from infections due to copper's natural antimicrobial effects. However,  Ayurveda dictates that copper vessels should only be used for consuming water. The only time an acidic product is used in conjunction with a copper vessel is for cleaning. Acidic liquids such as lemon juice and vinegar charge up the properties of copper and help remove the natural tarnish that builds up on copper due to oxidation.

Consuming acidic beverages in copper vessels are not poisonous, but they can upset your stomach and cause severe cramping.

So next time you’re craving a Moscow Mule cocktail, ask for it in a glass cup. These days, most Moscow Mule vessels are not even made of pure copper due to cost. They are mainly lined with tin or stainless steel, and have a copper coating for beauty and trendiness.

Rule of thumb: do not consume any acidic beverages out of a metal vessel. If the beverage is acidic, stick to glass.

Cheers!