Cranberry Christmas Moscow Mule Holiday Cocktail
Bold cranberry meets refreshing ginger beer in a copper mug for a delicious holiday cocktail. This simple Christmas Moscow mule is the holiday version that combines tart cranberry juice, fizzy ginger beer, and smooth vodka into the ultimate Christmas cocktail recipe. A festive twist on the classic cocktail becomes your signature winter drink this holiday season. Full recipe card below.
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What is a Christmas Moscow Mule?
First let’s start with a traditional Moscow mule cocktail. The classic Moscow mule recipe is made with vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice served in signature copper mugs. It is an easy cocktail with refreshing flavors.
The Christmas version, or yule mule as it is sometimes referred to is the holiday twist of the classic copper mug drink. It’s not a traditional holiday cocktail in the eggnog or mulled wine sense. It’s sharper, cleaner, and way more refreshing, which is exactly why it works when you’ve been eating butter and carbs all evening.
Cranberries bring tartness, color, and a festive visual punch. The ginger beer brings the fizz and a spicy kick. Lime juice adds brightness and acidity. Vodka makes it a cocktail with holiday cheer.
Ingredient List
This festive cocktail is the perfect holiday drink and only uses six basic ingredients! Make it for one or a crowd. Here are my notes for the best results.
- Vodka – This is your base spirit. Vodka is neutral, which means it won’t fight with the cranberry or ginger beer. No need to get fancy with the brand. Top-shelf stuff is wasted in a mixed drink. If you want a flavor twist, try a citrus or cranberry vodka. But honestly plain vodka is all you need.
- Ginger Beer – The base mixer in every good Moscow mule. This is the fizz, spice, and ginger flavors. Ginger beer is not ginger ale. Ginger ale is sweet and mild. Ginger beer is bold and slightly spicy. And unlike the name suggests, it’s actually non-alcoholic and tastes nothing like beer. Ginger beer can be found in the grocery store or liquor store near club soda and other mixers. If you want a more detailed breakdown, check out my side by side taste test on the best ginger beers. Spoiler alert, my favorite is Fever Tree, but use any brand you want.
- Cranberry Juice – This is the tart, fruity backbone of the drink. Using 100% cranberry juice will be much more tart than cranberry juice cocktail. Half the amount if you use 100% cranberry juice.
- Fresh Lime – This adds brightness and acidity that keeps the drink from feeling one note. Always use fresh limes. Roll the lime on the counter before cutting to release more juice.
- Fresh Cranberries – These add a visual pop of color and a slight tartness. You can find fresh cranberries in most grocery stores from October through December. Toss them in the freezer before making and they double as edible ice cubes.
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs – This adds an aromatic, pine-like scent that makes the drink smell like the holidays. I grew this in my garden this year and a sprig of rosemary totally adds extra holiday flavor not to mention it makes a festive drink. Lightly roll the rosemary between your hands before adding it to the copper cup to release the oils. If you don’t have rosemary, a sprig of thyme or mint works, but rosemary is the classic pairing with cranberry.
- Mixing – This is a very easy drink to mix. Simply add all the ingredients to a copper mule mug and stir. It’s as simple as that! I do not recommend using a cocktail shaker here since the the ginger beer is carbonated and it will explode on you.
- Ice – This cocktail is best served chilled. Use large ice molds if you have them or crushed ice. I use frozen whole cranberries too. Fill the mug halfway full because the ice keeps everything cold and the mug frosty.
- Copper Mug – The copper mug isn’t just for looks. It keeps the drink icy cold and adds a metallic chill to the first sip that glass just can’t replicate. That tactile experience is part of the ritual now, and skipping it feels wrong.
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Cranberry Christmas Moscow Mule Holiday Cocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 servings 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
The perfect drink for your next holiday party. Forget basic Christmas cocktails. This cranberry-spiked Christmas Moscow mule brings sparkle, spice, fresh herbs, and is ready in minutes. A basic recipe with the addition of cranberry juice and festive garnishes makes the perfect cocktail for holiday parties and the Christmas season.
Ingredients
- 1/2 mug Crushed Ice or Ice Cubes
- 2 oz Vodka
- 2-4 oz Cranberry Juice
- 5-6 oz Ginger Beer
- 1/4 Lime Wedge juice from
- 1/8 cup Fresh Cranberries (for garnish)
- 1-2 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug half full of crushed ice.
- Pour 2 ounces of vodka over ice.
- Add 2-4 ounces of cranberry juice to the mug.
- Finish off with 5-6 ounces of ginger beer.
- Squeeze the juice of one lime wedge into the copper mug and stir.
- Garnish with 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary and a handful of cranberries.
Equipment
Notes
Use 2 oz of 100% Cranberry juice as it is much more tart. If using cranberry juice cocktail use 4 oz.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
- Blueberry Lemon Vodka Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe
- Sparkling Cranberry Christmas Cocktail with Vodka
- Amaretto Stone Sour Cocktail Recipe with Ginger Beer
- White Russian Cocktail with Baileys Irish Cream
More Cranberry Recipes to Try
- Holiday Cream Cheese Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe
- Cranberry Goat Cheese Crostini Party Appetizer
- Homemade Holiday Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Large Batch Option
The last thing you want to do when hosting holiday celebrations is play bartender. This Christmas Moscow mule recipe can be made as a pitcher cocktail. Combine the above ingredients in equal ratios to the recipe above in a punch bowl, beverage dispenser, or pitcher. Ginger beer will loose fizz after a while just like soda does, so make this right before serving and only add ice to individual mugs. All ingredients should be pre-chilled.
Mocktail Option
Maybe you don’t drink or have kiddos who want to join in the fun. No problem. This holiday Moscow mule is a great way to make a mocktail since most of the ingredients are non-alcoholic. Simply leave the vodka out.
When to Make A Holiday Mule
This drink is designed to be easy, festive, and impossible to mess up. Once you make it, you’ll have it memorized, and it’ll become your favorite cocktail for holiday gatherings, winter parties, and random Tuesdays when you just want something with seasonal flavors and tastes like the holidays. No fuss, no fancy techniques, just cranberry, ginger, vodka, and ice in a copper mug that makes you look like you have your life together even if you don’t.
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