The Kouri Richins Case
Moscow Mule & Chocolate Truffles
“A wife's cocktail with a fatal twist.”
The Case
In March 2022, Eric Richins died at his home in Kamas, Utah. A medical examiner later determined the cause to be a fatal dose of fentanyl.
His wife, Kouri Richins, was charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors have alleged the drug was administered in a cocktail served at home. She has pleaded not guilty.
The case drew national attention in the United States after Richins published a children's book about grief in the year following her husband's death.
Proceedings are ongoing, and we note that clearly. Nothing on this page should be read as a finding of fact.
The Recipe
Ingredients
- 120ml vodka
- 300ml ginger beer, well chilled
- 1 lime, juiced, plus wedges to garnish
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Crushed ice
- 200g dark chocolate (70%), finely chopped
- 120ml double cream
- 20g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting
Method
- 01
Heat the cream until just steaming, then pour over the chopped chocolate. Leave for 2 minutes, then stir slowly from the centre until smooth and glossy.
- 02
Stir in the butter until fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm enough to scoop.
- 03
Roll teaspoons of the ganache into balls between cool hands, then dust generously in cocoa powder. Chill until serving.
- 04
Fill two copper mugs to the brim with crushed ice.
- 05
Add 60ml vodka and the juice of half a lime to each mug, then top with chilled ginger beer and stir once.
- 06
Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint, and serve with the truffles alongside.
Chef’s Note
Copper mugs matter here — they frost instantly and keep the drink colder than glass ever will.
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