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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe

    Published: Dec 23, 2021 · Modified: May 18, 2023 by Amanda · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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    two glasses of cranberry moscow mules with cranberries and lime wheels in them

    This cranberry moscow mule recipe puts a fun twist on the classic drink. Flavored with cranberry juice and lime and finished off with spicy ginger beer, this is the perfect cocktail for the holiday season.

    two clear glasses filled with cranberry moscow mule cocktail, fresh cranberries and a lime wheel

    This post was originally published in December 2020 and has been updated for content.

    I will never get tired of festive drinks during the holidays. All of the flavors and smells of the holiday season is one of my favorite things about that time of year.

    This cranberry moscow mule is perfect for holiday gatherings. It's one of my favorite cocktails to get me in the Christmas spirit and is the perfect thing to sip, while you sit around the Christmas tree.

    Serve this festive cocktail at your next holiday party along with bacon wrapped dates, pepperoncini dip and a nice charcuterie board!

    Jump to:
    • 🍹 Ingredient notes
    • 📋 Substitutions and variations
    • 🍸 Step by step instructions
    • ⭐ Expert tips
    • 💭 Frequently asked questions
    • ⏲️ Make ahead instructions
    • 🍸 More holiday cocktails recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍹 Ingredient notes

    fresh whole cranberries, cranberry juice, fresh sliced limes, can of ginger beer, ice and vodka
    • Vodka - Vodka is the alcohol used for a traditional moscow mule cocktail. For a non-alcoholic version of this cranberry mule, replace the vodka with extra cranberry juice.
    • Ginger Beer - Despite the name, this is not actually beer, but a non-alcoholic fizzy drink. It is a key ingredient in the classic cocktail that adds that signature gingery flavor. It can usually be found in the soda or mixer aisle at your local grocery store, however ginger ale may also be used as a substitute. It will make a sweeter cocktail, but will still have that great ginger flavor.

    📋 Substitutions and variations

    • For a crowd - Serve this easy recipe for a party by mixing a 750 ml bottle of vodka with 3 cups unsweetened cranberry juice and ¾ cup fresh lime juice in a punch bowl or beverage pitcher. Top with ginger beer and garnish with fresh whole cranberries and lime wheels. This festive punch will serve approximately 12 guests.
    • Alcohol - Swap out the vodka in this delicious cocktail for rum or bourbon for a different variation.

    🍸 Step by step instructions

    First, fill cocktail glass or traditional moscow mule mug with ice half way. Next, pour in the vodka, along with the fresh lime juice, and pure cranberry juice.

    glass filled with ice and glass with ice and cranberry juice in it

    Lastly, top the cranberry juice cocktail with ginger beer and stir gently to combine. Garnish with fresh berries, a lime wheel or lime wedge, if desired!

    ginger beer pouring into red drink with ice and finished cranberry moscow mule in a glass

    If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.


    ⭐ Expert tips

    • Make sure to add the ginger beer to the cranberry cocktail last, to prevent it from fizzing up when the other ingredients are added.
    • For best results, stir the drink only gently so that it doesn't fizz up and spill out of the cocktail glasses.
    • If making this cranberry moscow mule recipe as a punch for holiday parties, freeze fresh cranberries and lime slices to serve as "ice cubes" in it.

    💭 Frequently asked questions

    Why is a moscow mule served in a copper mug?

    A classic moscow mule cocktail is traditionally served in a cold copper mug. Copper is an excellent temperature conductor and so putting the ice cold drink in the copper mug helps to keep it colder for longer. Put your mugs into the freezer before hand so when you are ready to serve, you have a frosty copper mug to keep your drink extra cold!

    Why do they call the drink a moscow mule?

    It's said that a moscow mule gets its name because of America's association with vodka and Russia. The mule part comes in because the flavor of the ginger beer gives the drink a kick.

    ⏲️ Make ahead instructions

    The vodka and juices for this cranberry moscow mule recipe can be mixed up to 24 hours ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This is helpful for a party or when serving a crowd so you aren't making fresh cocktails constantly. At serving time, pour over ice and top with ginger beer!

    🍸 More holiday cocktails recipes

    If you loved this festive cranberry moscow mule recipe, check out these other holiday cocktails that I know you will love too!

    • Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
    • Whiskey Blood Orange Smash
    • Grapefruit Cocktail

    Don't Forget! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.


    📖 Recipe

    glass filled with cranberry moscow mule, ice cubes, fresh cranberries and a lime wheel

    Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe

    Amanda
    This cranberry moscow mule recipe puts a seasonal twist on the classic drink. Flavored with cranberry juice and lime and finished off with spicy ginger beer, this is the perfect cocktail for the holiday season.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Cocktails, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 199 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ice cubes
    • 2 ounces vodka
    • 2 ounces cranberry juice
    • ½ ounce lime juice
    • 4 ounces ginger beer
    • fresh whole cranberries for garnish (optional)
    • lime wheels for garnish (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Fill a glass or moscow mule mug halfway with ice.
    • Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice over the ice. 
    • Top off with ginger beer and stir gently to combine.
    • Garnish with fresh whole cranberries and lime wheels.

    Notes

    • Add the ginger beer last and stir the drink gently so that the drink doesn't fizz up.
    • When making this drink as a punch for a crowd, freeze fresh cranberries and lime slices to serve as "ice cubes".
     

    Substitutions and Variations

    • For a crowd - Mix a 750 ml bottle of vodka with 3 cups of cranberry juice and ¾ cup of lime juice in a punch bowl or beverage pitcher. Top with ginger beer and garnish with fresh whole cranberries and lime wheels. Serves approximately 12.
    • Ginger Beer - Ginger ale may be used and will make the cocktail a bit sweeter and less "spicy".
    • Alcohol - Swap out the vodka for rum or bourbon.
    • Mocktail - Replace the vodka with extra cranberry juice.
     

    Make Ahead Instructions

    Mix the vodka and juices up to 24 hours ahead of time and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. At serving time, pour over ice and top with ginger beer!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drinkCalories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 33IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @SaporitoKitchen or tag #SaporitoKitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jeremy

      December 14, 2020 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      Simple. Delicious. Gorgeous photos. Adding to the Holiday Season cocktail repertoire.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        December 14, 2020 at 1:53 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply

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