Bethesda Bar Changes Russian Drink Names In Support Of Ukraine

BETHESDA, MD — At Caddies on Cordell in Bethesda, you'll no longer see a Moscow Mule, Black Russian or White Russian on the menu. You can still get those popular vodka drinks, but they'll be listed as the Kyiv Mule and White and Black Ukrainian.

The menu change is a sign of support for Ukrainians, Caddies Vice President of Marketing and Partner Eric Heckman told Patch. The restaurant will also be donating a portion of its profits to the Ukrainian Children’s Emergency Relief Fund.

The Moscow Mule is one of the bar's most popular cocktails, Heckman said. Changing the name seemed like one way Caddies could show support to Ukrainians, he told Patch.

"That was a no brainer," said Heckman. "Changing that was a simple thing to do."

"Effective Immediately, in support of the Ukraine and solidarity with the Ukrainian People, Caddies On Cordell in Bethesda will no longer purchase or serve Russian Vodka," Caddies said in a email to its customers Monday. "Caddies has changed its cocktail names: Moscow Mule, White Russian and Black Russian to Kyiv Mule, White Ukrainian and Black Ukrainian. We have received over 1000 likes in less than 24 hours on our Social Media of people in support of this choice."

Heckman's wife is from a large family of Ukrainian descent, said Heckman, so the decision to take change the names and designate donations was a personal one, too.

He said no one is naive enough to believe that changing cocktail names will have a direct impact on the invasion of Ukraine, but he hopes that it could inspire other restaurants and bars to support Ukraine and its residents.

"This is something we can take a stand on, and be proud of that," Heckman said.