The Kyiv Mule - An Antidote to Russian Aggression

Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine has led to unprecedented sanctions and other actions against Russia, Putin, and his fellow oligarch thugs. My small contribution to this effort is to create a cocktail that celebrates and honors the spirit being demonstrated by the Ukrainian people – I call it the Kyiv Mule.

I really try to keep politics (especially domestic politics!) out of my blog posts because you can read about that depressing crap ad nauseum online or watch it on the news 24 hours a day – and who wants to live their lives doing that? But the recent “special military operation” a.k.a., illegal and brutal invasion of a sovereign country with a democratically elected government by the not so “clever”, not such a “genius” tin pot, third rate dictator Vladimir Putin gave me reason to break my own rules a bit. Apologists for Putin, of which there are way too many in the U.S., should be ashamed of themselves – what true patriot and defender of democracy actually admires, makes excuses for, and defends a brutal dictator and tyrant like Putin?

Anyway, besides praying for the Ukrainian people and hoping some “unfortunate accident” puts Putin permanently in the ground soon, I decided to create a cocktail that pays tribute to Ukraine and all of the brave men and women who are fighting to save their country and freedom.

The Moscow Mule is one of my favorite cocktails – it’s a simple cocktail that includes vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer and is traditionally served in a copper mug. It was created by two Americans back in 1941, one of which bought the Smirnoff Company (a Russian Vodka producer) in 1939. Back then most Americans were unfamiliar with Vodka so the two men created the cocktail to introduce more Americans to this unpopular spirit. The rest is history.

I chose to riff off of the classic Moscow Mule cocktail by destroying everything about it that made it remotely Russian in character and adding a few flourishes that honor Ukraine and their fighting spirit! First, it’s now the Kyiv mule, not the Moscow mule. Second, I dumped the Vodka and replaced it with Tequila. Truthfully, most Vodkas that we think of as Russian (i.e., Smirnoff, Stoli, etc.) are neither produced by Russia-owned companies or made in Russia but removing a spirit whose origins are from Russia just made me feel better!

Next, I added blue Curacao because it’s a nice complement to the tequila flavor-wise, but also because it turns the cocktail a bright blue in honor of the Ukrainian flag colors of blue and yellow. The yellow in the cocktail comes from the lemon juice (replacing the traditional lime juice) and the lemon round used as a garnish.

For those unfamiliar with Curacao, it’s a liqueur flavored with the dried peel of the bitter orange laraha, a citrus fruit, grown on the Dutch island of Curaçao. Blue Curacao is simply an orange liqueur dyed blue so it doesn’t change the taste at all. The result is a refreshing and colorful alternative version of the classic Mule cocktail. And ditch the traditional copper mug and serve in a Rocks/Old Fashioned, Highball, or Collins glass so you can enjoy the color of the drink – any of them will work!

Give it a try and let me know what you think. And as you drink it, raise a toast to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. My recommended toasts include either of the following:

• The official salute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”

• The unofficial salute of Ukrainians to Russia and Russian forces attacking their homeland – “F#%$ Putin!”

The Kyiv Mule (makes 1 cocktail)

2 oz. Tequila (any kind will do – Blanco, Reposado, Anejo)

½ oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice (about ½ of a large lemon)

1 oz. blue Curacao (available at any liquor store in the cordials/mixers section)

6 oz. ginger beer (I like Fever Tree Light Ginger Beer but any brand will do)

Lemon round for garnish

Combine the Tequila, lemon juice, blue Curacao, and ginger beer in a large glass. Gently stir to combine. Fill glass to rim with ice and top with lemon round as a garnish.