This recipe is meant for people over 21 years old. Please drink responsibly.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- Beautiful, delicious, festive cocktail for holiday parties.
- Spicy ginger beer pairs perfectly with yummy, tart cranberries.
- Easy recipe can be made by the glass or pitcher!
This cranberry Moscow mule recipe is one of my favorite things to sip on while gathered around the Christmas tree—and, really, throughout the whole holiday season.
The classic drink takes a fun twist, one that fills even the most Scrooge-like party guests with holiday cheer.
🥫 Storage
As most cocktail recipes will tell you, cranberry Moscow mules are best served as soon as they're poured. If you made a large batch in a pitcher (ice on the side, of course) and have leftovers, you can put it in the fridge.
However, consume it as soon as possible (within a day or so) because the ginger beer starts to go flat once it's poured.
Of course, your taste buds probably won't complain either way.
📖 Variations
- Don't be afraid of flavors—I like orange vodka in this cranberry cocktail.
- You can use fresh cranberries or buy frozen ones. However, if you opt for fresh berries, be sure to give them time to freeze, first.
- Cranberry juice cocktail is sweeter than cranberry juice. You can use unsweetened cranberry juice, but you'll want to also follow the next tip...
- For a sweeter cocktail, you can add a bit of simple syrup. Make it in a small saucepan (one cup of water and one cup of sugar) or buy some near the liquor aisle in your local grocery store.
- You can swap in ginger ale, but either way, use a good brand for the best ginger flavor—you want it to come through!
- In addition to an orange and lime wedge, garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary. It complements the festive red drink beautifully!
- Some people like to use a few fresh mint leaves as a garnish for a different flavor spin.
- Don't knock it 'til you try it, but for an extra spicy signature drink, add a few drops of hot sauce and thank me later!
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: If you have some gorgeous copper mugs, now is their time to shine! Just chill the mugs before serving—the classic cocktail tastes best out of a cold copper mug. If not, any cocktail glasses will do the job.
- Don't forget to buy extra limes so you don't run out. You'll use some for fresh lime juice and the others, unsqueezed, for garnish.
- Given a choice, only the Grinch would serve cheap vodka at a holiday gathering. In this festive cranberry Moscow mule, you'll be able to taste the quality—so splurge a little, if you can.
- Did you know, you're actually supposed to store vodka in the freezer? It gets a little thicker and tastes soo deliciously smooth that way.
- My favorite ginger beer is Reeds extra spicy. Big-brand ginger ale just doesn't do this simple cocktail justice.
- Frozen cranberries are a great way to chill your drink without watering it down. You can also use cocktail "ice" cubes if you have them.
- Bartender Hack: twist a lime or orange peel over the cocktail glass to release the deliciously aromatic citrus oil.
👩🍳 FAQs
It's pretty close, with a fun seasonal twist. The original Moscow mules, served in frosty copper mugs, are made with vodka, lime, and ginger beer. Our cranberry mule just adds a little cranberry flavor and some garnish to make your holiday party more festive!
I wouldn't. Your mule will taste bland that way. The gingery flavor really goes well with the other ingredients in the recipe.
If you've got it, good for you! Go ahead. However, you may need to adjust the sweetness to taste.
📚 Related recipes
- Cream soda and peppermint schnapps give this vodka-based Candy Cane Martini an authentic, yet nostalgic holiday feel. Cheers!
- If you like Whiskey sours, this Cranberry Whiskey Sour will be the Christmas gift you didn't have to ask for—don't wait 'til New Year's!
- Warm up with this Copycat Salted Caramel Brulee Latte. It's creamy, sweet, and decadent, and will make you feel like it's a white Christmas—no matter where you live! (Add Bailey's to keep the cocktail fun going!)
🍽️ Serve with...
📞 The last word
Beautiful and sparkly, this Cranberry Moscow Mule has enough holiday cheer to make Ebineezer Scrooge throw a party for the three Spirits of Christmas.
Orange, lime, and cranberry flavors blend with an extra spicy ginger beer that gives you a cocktail your guests will rave about!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cranberry Moscow Mule
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka, orange vodka can be used.
- 2 ounces cranberry cocktail
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- cracked ice
- 4 ounces spicy ginger beer, ginger ale can be substituted
- 2 tablespoons cranberries, frozen
- lime wedges
- orange wedges
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Instructions
- Mix the vodka, cranberry cocktail, lime juice, and cracked ice in a shaker.
- Shake until the shaker is icy cold and frosty.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Squeeze a little of the orange into the glass.
- Add the ginger beer.
- Add the cranberries and lime wedges to garnish.
Notes
- Don't use cheap vodka - it makes drinks taste like rubbing alcohol.
- Keep vodka in the freezer.
- Use a spicy, high quality ginger beer. I like Reeds Extra Spicy. If you've only ever used bland, big-corporation ginger ale you really haven't tasted a mule.
- Use fresh limes.
- Shake everything except the ginger beer with cracked ice and strain into a frosted glass or chilled copper mule cup.
- Add ginger beer to taste.
- If you like it extra spicy a few drops of hot sauce works wonders.
- Frozen cranberries add color and chill the drink without diluting it.
Nutrition Facts
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We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.First published November 13, 2019. Last updated October 18, 2022 for editorial updates.
Debbie Decker
Freeze fresh cranberries?
Marye
Yes. Just pop them right in the freezer.
Sue Lau
There is a Jamaican restaurant not too far which makes excellent ginger beer fresh and on site. It does pack heat. I think I'll have to run down and grab a few to make this. Ordinary ginger ale in a supermarket can tastes nothing like it.
Carrie C.
Great idea! If I throw cranberries in my freezer right now, they'll be ready in time for my "Walking Dead" viewing tonight. (I sure as heck won't watch that sober!)
Marye Audet
I don't think I could watch it drunk OR sober!
Velva
This makes for a beautiful and festive Moscow Mule. Love, love it!
Velva-Tomatoes on the Vine
Marye Audet
Thank you! It's one of my favorites
Stacey
I love cranberry cocktails. I need to try this one.
Marye Audet
Let me know what you think!
Liz
Such a gorgeous cocktail!! Perfect for the holidays!
Marye Audet
Thank you! It really is!
Laura Dembowski
You gave awesome tips for making the best cocktail! I fell in love with ginger beer earlier this year and can't wait to try this.
Marye Audet
I love ginger beer! Let me know what you think!
Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings
Using frozen fruit is a great idea! Sounds like a perfect Christmas or New Year party drink!
Marye Audet
It really is. SO festive