Is a Moscow Mule from Moscow? Drinks Around the World

FAMOUS “RUSSIAN” COCKTAILS

The Moscow Mule. Is this hipster cocktail really from Moscow, Russia?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Nope! The Moscow Mule was actually born in Los Angeles back in the 1940’s. It got its name from its main ingredient, VODKA. During the 1940’s vodka was mainly perceived to be a Russian product.
• Other Aliases: The “Vodka Buck”
• Ingredients: Vodka + ginger beer + lime juice + slice of lime garnish + more vodka = Yes please!

The Dude’s White Russian. Is it really Russian?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Nope! The original cocktail was actually known as a “Black Russian” and was born in Brussels, Belgium in the 1940’s. Again it got its name from its main ingredient, vodka, which was perceived to only be a product of Russia. Around the 1960’s some ingenious bartender added cream and voilà ….the White Russian was born!
• Other Aliases: The “Black Russian” (if you don’t care for the cream)
• Ingredients: Vodka + coffee liqueur + fresh cream + more vodka = Color-blind

Disappointed by these not-so-Russian cocktails? Don’t be! Russia has a ton of deliciously authentic cocktails (and vodkas). Taste them all on a Contiki trip to Russia.

LUCK OF THE “IRISH” CONCOCTIONS

The debaucherous Irish Car Bomb. Is it really Irish?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Nope! It’s an American drink that was invented in Norwich, Connecticut. The Irish Car Bomb got the first half of its name from the main ingredient, Guinness Stout, which is in fact Irish! The second half of its name,” Car Bomb,” gets its origin from two places:
  • The fact that the drink is a “bomb shot” meaning it gets dropped into a glass of partially filled beer.
  • The many car bombs that occurred in the late 1960’s during The Troubles conflicts of Northern Ireland.

Because of this second point, The Irish Car Bomb is deemed extremely offensive when ordered in Ireland. In fact, many bars refuse to serve it.

• Other Aliases: “A Waste of Good Beer” or “What Not to Order in Ireland”
• Ingredients: Guinness Stout + Jameson Irish Whiskey + Bailey’s Irish cream = A bombshell

The warm and delicious Irish Coffee. Is it really Irish?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Yup! The original was invented by a man named Joe Sheridan in Foynes in the County of Limerick, Ireland. Funny enough though, it was actually inspired by a group of American travelers who were first people served the spiked cup of Joe. The story goes that they tasted it and asked if it was “Brazilian Coffee” to which Sheridan replied that it was in fact “Irish Coffee.”
• Other Aliases: “Liqueur Coffee”
• Ingredients: Hot Coffee + Irish whiskey + Brown Sugar + Fresh cream = Not found on the Starbucks menu

Did these “Irish” drinks have you fooled? Go straight to the source to discover more true Irish cocktails (not to mention the whiskey and beer) with these Contiki trips to Ireland.

SIGNATURE “BRITISH” COCKTAILS

The Martini, Shaken Not Stirred. James Bond is British so this is a British cocktail, right?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Nope! This is a true work of fiction. The mixology of this drink came to be under mysterious circumstances far before its famous name. However, its official “Martini” named was born in the late 19^th century after Martin and Rossi, the Italian vermouth firm. So for all intents and purposes, its origin is Italian.
• Other Aliases: There are many variations such as the “Dry Martini”, the” Dirty Martini”, the “Perfect Martini”, the “Gibson”, the “Vesper”, the “Vodka Martini”, and the “Bradford*”

*Important to note that a traditional martini is always stirred and not shaken as it is believed that shaking a martini disturbs the alcohol molecules. Leave it to 007 James Bond to stir up the drama on this one. We say, order it how you want but just know that the proper name for a stirred martini is a “Bradford.”

• Ingredients: The traditional ingredients are as follows: Dry vermouth + gin + olive(s) + a lemon twist (but the variations are endless) = One tasty 007

The Prince of Wales Cocktail. This one has to be British?!

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Sigh of relief! This cocktail IS British and the world once again makes sense. In fact, it really lives up to its name because it was actually concocted in the 1800’s by Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales himself! Who after inventing this cocktail (but not as a result of), would later become King Edward VII.
• Other Aliases: None known
• Ingredients: Warmed rye whiskey + champagne + pineapple pieces + Angostura bitters + Maraschino liqueur + sugar/simple syrup + 2 aspirin = One memorable night (or a forgettable one?)

Get a taste for truly authentic British cocktails on these Contiki trips to England

OH LA LA “FRENCH” COCKTAILS

The Not-As-Well-Known French 75. Does it parle français? 

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Why yes, yes it does speak French! Allegedly, this cocktail was first concocted in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris, France by a man named Harry MacElhone…(that doesn’t sound French at all)?! Even though MacElhone is technically Scottish he did first mix the drink in France. So, there you have it. The French 75 is French. Its peculiar name comes from the fact that it packs a punch as powerful as a French 75mm gun.
• Other Aliases: The “75 Cocktail”, the “Soixante Quinze” (75 Cocktail in French)
• Ingredients: Gin (although some might argue cognac) + Champagne + lemon juice + simple syrup + 2 aspirin = L’amour

Give this little known cocktail a try straight from the source on these Contiki trips to France.

HOME-GROWN “AMERICAN” CLASSICS

The Classic Manhattan. Was it really born in Manhattan, New York?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Yup! Popular belief states that this famous drink was first mixed in the 1870’s for a banquet party hosted at the Manhattan Club in New York City. The name of the mixologist that first combined these delicious ingredients? Dr. Iain Marshall. The story goes that the drink was such a tremendous success that many of the banquet guests later requested it elsewhere using the name of the original club. Tada! The “Manhattan” was born.
• Other Aliases: The “Tennessee Cocktail” which is not confusing at all…, the “Rob Roy” when it’s made with Scotch whiskey and the “Dry Manhattan” when made with dry vermouth.
• Ingredients: American rye whisky + Sweet Vermouth + bitters + a Maraschino cherry = Classic

The Long Island Iced Tea. This strong concoction originated in Long Island, New York, right?

Courtesy of Bo-beau kitchen + roof tap craftender Gregory Goins

• Answer: Yes and no, but mostly yes, not no. What the hell does that mean?! Let us explain. Many reputable sources state that the true inventor of this ridiculously strong drink is one of two men. Either:
  • Ransom Bishop, son of “Old Man Bishop” who allegedly perfected his father’s concoction into the Long Island Iced Tea during the prohibition times of the 1920’s. The reason for the drinks name? Ransom and Old Man Bishop lived in a community called Long Island located in Kingsport, Tennessee. Mind.Totally.Blown! The only difference between the Tennessee Long Island and Long Island of today is that these extremely thirsty men of prohibition added in a fifth liquor, whiskey! Yowzers!
  • Robert Butt (nicknamed “Rosebud”) is said to have originally invented this drink in 1972 as a contest entry for a new drink containing Triple Sec. He was working in Long Island, New York at the time, hence the name.

Who do you believe? We’re putting our money on Ransom and Old Man Bishop. Only very, very thirsty men would concoct a drink combining 5 liquors! Consider this case solved. You’re welcomeJ.

• Other Aliases: Small variations to this drink take on different names such as: The “Texas Iced Tea”, the “Georgia Iced Tea”, the “Tokyo Tea”, the “Three Mile Island”, and the very memorable “Adios Mother F*cker.”
• Ingredients: Tequila + gin + vodka + rum + Triple Sec liqueur (or whiskey if you’re old fashioned or very thirsty) + lemon/lemon spiral + optional splash of cola + a bottle of aspirin and the following day off work.

Want to drink a Manhattan in Manhattan or a Long Island in Long Island, New York? Check out these Contiki trips to New York.

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Well there you have it. We got to the bottom of your favorite cocktails. The next round is on you…comment with your best cocktail fun fact!