Published: · Updated: by Katy McAvoy
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The quick and easy Cranberry Moscow Mule is the perfect four ingredient co*cktail for your next Christmas party this holiday season. They mix up in the glass in just a minute - no co*cktail shaker required!
Jump to:
- Ingredientsfor Christmas Mules
- How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Why Copper Mugs for Moscow Mules?
- Don't Miss These Moscow Mule Recipes
- What Kind of Ginger Beer Should I Use in a Moscow Mule?
- Try These Cranberry co*cktail Recipes
- Print the Recipe Card
- Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe
The cranberry mule is a fun twist on a classic Moscow mule, with cranberry juice making the perfect addition alongside the fresh lime.
Easy to make as a single drink, or in a large batch (use the tools on my recipe card to get the measurements!), this festive cranberry Moscow mule is the perfect drink to serve when you don't want to spend all night making co*cktails.
I love serving this sweet/tart co*cktail with my Honey Goat Cheese Phyllo Cups and Bacon Wrapped Dates.
Ingredientsfor Christmas Mules
- Vodka - Choose your favorite plain vodka or play up the lime flavor in this drink by using citrus vodka.
- Cranberry juice - Use 100% pure cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice co*cktail for the best flavor. Chill it before using in your co*cktail to keep your drinks extra cold while serving.
- Fresh limes - Use only fresh limes in this drink. They taste much better than bottled lime juice and double as easy garnish.
- Ginger beer - Choose your favorite ginger beer for this co*cktail. Not a huge fan of ginger? You can use ginger ale instead to maintain the sweet fizz of the soda but reduce the ginger flavor.
- Fresh cranberries - The easiest holiday garnish ever is whole cranberries. I toss a bag of fresh cranberries in my freezer the day before my party so I can use the frozen berries to both garnish my co*cktails and keep the drinks cold.
How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule
Combine vodka, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice in a cold copper mug or rocks glass.
Fill the glass with ice.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with a slice of lime, a lime wedge, and/or a few cranberries.
Gently stir. Sip and Enjoy!
Why Copper Mugs for Moscow Mules?
Copper mugs began as a marketing tool when Moscow mules were introduced back in the 1940s as a way to encourage Americans to drink more vodka. (People would order them in bars just to get a drink served in a copper mug!)
Now they’re the traditional way to serve a Moscow Mule, and while they’re still super fun, they’re not necessary for serving this delicious drink. You can use any non-stemmed co*cktail glasses, instead, such as large rocks glasses.
Copper cups - along with any metal cup - do an excellent job of keeping drinks cold. So if that’s your concern, you could even use metal julep cups to serve your Moscow mules if you don’t have a copper cup on hand.
Don't Miss These Moscow Mule Recipes
Two of the easiest ways to change up a traditional Moscow mule and create variation is by changing the type of vodka used and/or adding in juice or simple syrups.
I especially love doing this to create a fruity variation. For my three ingredient apple Moscow mules, I use apple vodka to add in fall flavor. Or try these strawberry Moscow mules made with homemade strawberry simple syrup.
Don't drink alcohol? Make my non-alcoholic Moscow Mule Mocktail!
What Kind of Ginger Beer Should I Use in a Moscow Mule?
There are likely lots of ginger beer options in your local grocery store. My favorite is Goslings brand because it has a strong ginger bite to it, which I like with the bright cranberry and lime. If you don't like spicy ginger beer, try Fever Tree brand, which is more mild.
Try These Cranberry co*cktail Recipes
Looking for more festive co*cktail options for your next holiday party? Keep the cranberry flavor theme going with a classic drink or any one of these other festive co*cktails.
- Cranberry Mimosas (Poinsettia co*cktails) for Christmas Brunch
- Classic Cosmopolitan Vodka co*cktail
- Cranberry Old Fashioned Bourbon co*cktail
- Simple Cranberry Gin Christmas co*cktail
Print the Recipe Card
Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe
Serve this cranberry moscow mule co*cktail at your next holiday gathering. This delicious holiday co*cktail is a fun seasonal twist on a classic!
- Author: Katy McAvoy
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 co*cktail 1x
- Category: co*cktails
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Units Scale
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Fresh cranberries (garnish)
- Lime slices (garnish)
Instructions
Combine vodka, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice in a copper mug or rocks glass.
Fill the glass with ice.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with a slice of lime, a lime wedge, and/or a few cranberries.
Gently stir to combine. Sip and Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 co*cktail
- Calories: 211
- Sugar: 18.7 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.9 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: christmas mules, christmas moscow mule, holiday drink, vodka co*cktails, christmas drink, cranberry mule, cranberry co*cktail recipes, holiday co*cktails
co*cktail Recipes
- Brown Derby co*cktail (Bourbon and Grapefruit)
- Pineapple Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe
- Cherry Blossom co*cktail with Gin
- Gingerbread Martini Recipe (Easy Christmas co*cktail)
About Katy McAvoy
Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make co*cktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!
