The original copper mug is hand-crafted with a hammered finish. The textured finish assists in the distribution of heat and air around the beverage, enhancing the flavor and preserving the temperature of your drink. Meanwhile, smooth copper mugs have a greater heat conductivity than their hammered counterparts, and tend to be less effective at keeping drinks insulated.
Why is Copper Hammered?
The tradition of hammering copper is a metalworking tactic used for generations to strengthen the surface area of copper sheets, even before the metal material was used to craft mugs. A ball peen hammer is typically used to form the indentations in hammered copper before the sheet is manipulated into its desired shape. Coppersmiths complete this process with minimal force, allowing the weight of the hammer to give only enough force that the surface of the copper sheet becomes textured without damaging or thinning the original material.
Copper is also hammered for aesthetic purposes. Over time, pure copper can begin to naturally oxidize in its environment, creating a copper patina. Patina is typically a green or brown film on the surface of copper, bronze or other similar metals. The additional depth and dimension created by hammering the surface of copper makes patina less obvious as it begins to appear.
Is Hammered Copper Better than Smooth?
The short answer is yes. Hammered copper is generally more functional than smooth copper when it comes to insulating beverages and maintaining the quality and appearance of the material.
However, neither hammered copper nor smooth warrants a better tasting Moscow Mule (or any other beverage, for that matter.) Some may even lean toward the smooth copper mug aesthetic for a more crisp, modern look. And while the smooth copper finish may be more susceptible to patina, the aged, antique look may just be the character that your barware set was missing. Ultimately, the choice between hammered copper and smooth all depends on personal preference.
Hammered Copper Barware Products
At Copper Mug Co., we manufacture several styles of traditional, hammered copper mugs and additional barware accessories. Our favorites include:
Smooth Copper Barware Products
For those who prefer the smooth copper aesthetic, the Smooth Copper Julep Cup is a one-of-a-kind statement to display on your bar. Other smooth copper product offerings include:
From copper mugs to tumblers, and chargers to jiggers, Copper Mug Co. provides both hammered and smooth gift engravings for an extra touch of personalization.
Get in touch for more information on our products, including discounts for bulk orders.
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