Cheers and green beers? Maybe not this year.
All around the world, people are prepared to set aside “sláinte” for “budmo” this St. Patrick’s Day to show support for the Ukrainian people since Russia invaded the country in late February.
Already, the blue and yellow of Ukraine’s flag took over the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in London. And some of the world’s biggest landmarks are set to go blue and yellow instead of green on March 17, including Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. The London Eye and Niagara Falls are already displaying blue and yellow.
In fact, Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin specifically asked that Irish embassies encourage the usual Global Greening landmarks to shine in the blue and yellow of Ukraine instead of green this year.
You can participate in this show of solidarity for Ukraine by drinking a Kyiv Mule, aka the Moscow Mule renamed.
Kyiv Mule Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces uzvar (optional)
- 2 ounces Ukrainian vodka
- 6 ounces ginger beer
- 1/4 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
- Lime garnish
How to Make
- Muddle the uzvar with fruits, then strain and remove fruits (optional)
- Add ginger beer, vodka, lime juice to ice-filled Moscow Copper mug
- Stir, add ice, and garnish with a lime wedge
Your Guide to Ukrainian Vodka
Many bars are dumping Russian-made vodka in order to show support for Ukraine, but there is some confusion as to which brands are actually Russian.
Stoli Vodka even went so far as to rename from Stolichnaya to Stoli — citing its disdain for the Russian government and that the operation is in Latvia now.
Other popular vodkas, including Smirnoff, Absolut, Svedka and Grey Goose, are not made in Russia at all.
However, the biggest show of solidarity would be to use a Ukrainian-sourced vodka such as Nemiroff, Zirkova, Kruto, Khor, or Dima’s.
UKRAINIAN VODKA BRAND |
ABOUT |
Nemiroff is made in Nemyriv, southwest of Kyiv. It matures in oak barrels and has a rich wooden aroma. |
|
Zirkova is distilled in Zolotonosha, downstream from Kyiv on the Dnieper River. It derives its flavors from the soil, with hints of wheat, anise seed, pepper and lemon zest. |
|
Kruto is created from a 300-year-old Cossack recipe in central Ukraine. It has floral and toasted honey notes. |
|
Khor is made in Zaporizhia on the Dnieper River. Its flavor profile includes cherry and cinnamon. |
|
Dima’s cites Ukrainian black “supersoil” and the use of three grains (barley, wheat and rye) for the flavors of its vodka. |
Uzvar: A Ukrainian Twist
One way to really bring a Ukrainian flavor to your Kyiv Mule is to add uzvar to the mix.
Uzvar is a beverage cooked with dried fruits (traditionally smoky-flavored after being dried in a wood-fired oven) and spices including cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg.
You may not have access to a wood-fired oven, but store-bought dried fruits can render just as tasty a drink. Look for dried apples, pears, plums, apricots, and raisins — pick your favorites.
Cover about ½ cup of each dried fruit with water and preferred spices and let steep for 10 minutes — or overnight for a richer flavor.
Then add the fruits to boiling water and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Next add honey to your taste and set the pot aside to rest. Uzvar is traditionally served cooled, which is perfect for our Kyiv Mule.
Set aside 2 ounces or more of uzvar, add a few of the fruits and muddle. Strain the liquid into a Moscow Copper mug filled with ice and add the rest of your mule ingredients.
The fruit left over from the uzvar can be served on a plate.
Now all that’s left to do is toast.
Budmo!
This toast means “let us be” and is one of the most popular Ukrainian toasts. Occasions are traditionally marked by several toasts in a series, ending with “Na Konya!” which means “on the horse,” or “one for the road.”
While Moscow is in our name, we are a U.S.-based company that does not source any of our products from Russia. Our company creates and sells products related to the Moscow Mule