The name `` Molotov cocktail '' is derived from Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov , a Soviet politician . He was the People 's Commissar for Foreign Affairs , or the Foreign Minister , of the Soviet Union . The name `` Molotov cocktail '' was coined by the Finns during Winter War to mock Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov , the Chairman of the Council of People 's Commissars of the Soviet Union ( i.e. Soviet Prime Minister ) and the People 's Commissar for Foreign Affairs at the time .