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Home » Recipes » Holiday Cocktails Recipes

Cranberry Moscow Mule

Published: Oct 18, 2022 Last Updated: Oct 18, 2022 by Marye 1069 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

A pretty holiday cocktail, the cranberry Moscow Mule is spicy, sparkling, and delicious! So easy to make  -- you'll love this as much when you entertain as you will when relaxing with a friend. Make this into a punch by changing the servings to 25.
Total time 2 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Cranberry Cocktail with text overlay for Pinterest.

This recipe is meant for people over 21 years old. Please drink responsibly.

A bright red cocktail with frozen cranberries floating in it.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • Cranberry Moscow Mule
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ 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.

closeup of a bright red cranberry moscow mule cocktail with cranberries floating on the top

📖 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

How similar is this to a traditional Moscow mule?

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!

Can I use seltzer instead of ginger beer or ginger ale?

I wouldn't. Your mule will taste bland that way. The gingery flavor really goes well with the other ingredients in the recipe.

Can I use homemade cranberry juice?

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!)
  • Jameson Irish Redhead Cocktail
  • Midnight Kiss Champagne Cocktail
  • Candy Cane Martini
  • Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Baked Brie Cheese Appetizer
  • Santa's Whiskers Cookies
  • Homemade Gingerbread
Cranberry Moscow Mule in a glass - an empty glass is in the background. Cranberries are at the base of the glasses.

📞 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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

closeup of a bright red cranberry moscow mule cocktail.
4.72 from 14 votes

Cranberry Moscow Mule

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A pretty holiday cocktail, the cranberry Moscow Mule is spicy, sparkling, and delicious! So easy to make  -- you'll love this as much when you entertain as you will when relaxing with a friend. Make this into a punch by changing the servings to 25.
Course Beverage - Cocktail
Cuisine American,Holiday
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings:1
Calories:203
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Cocktail Shaker

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

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

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

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sodium: 9mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin C: 28.2mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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    First published November 13, 2019. Last updated October 18, 2022 for editorial updates.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbie Decker

      December 22, 2021 at 6:38 pm

      Freeze fresh cranberries?

      Reply
      • Marye

        December 24, 2021 at 8:53 pm

        Yes. Just pop them right in the freezer.

    2. Sue Lau

      November 26, 2017 at 9:19 pm

      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.

      Reply
    3. Carrie C.

      November 26, 2017 at 4:28 pm

      5 stars
      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!)

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 27, 2017 at 8:54 am

        I don't think I could watch it drunk OR sober!

    4. Velva

      November 26, 2017 at 2:49 pm

      This makes for a beautiful and festive Moscow Mule. Love, love it!

      Velva-Tomatoes on the Vine

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 27, 2017 at 8:56 am

        Thank you! It's one of my favorites

    5. Stacey

      November 26, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      I love cranberry cocktails. I need to try this one.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 27, 2017 at 8:58 am

        Let me know what you think!

    6. Liz

      November 26, 2017 at 2:15 pm

      Such a gorgeous cocktail!! Perfect for the holidays!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 27, 2017 at 9:07 am

        Thank you! It really is!

    7. Laura Dembowski

      November 26, 2017 at 12:58 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 27, 2017 at 9:08 am

        I love ginger beer! Let me know what you think!

    8. Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings

      November 26, 2017 at 8:46 am

      Using frozen fruit is a great idea! Sounds like a perfect Christmas or New Year party drink!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 27, 2017 at 9:11 am

        It really is. SO festive

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