Cranberry Moscow Mule
Cheers to the season with this perfectly refreshing Cranberry Moscow Mule. Use fresh lime juice and ginger beer for a perky libation to toast the holidays!
What is a Moscow Mule?
A Moscow Mule is bubbly cocktail traditionally served in a copper mug with ice, lime juice, spicy ginger beer (not ginger ale) and vodka. Garnish with mint and lime wedges.
My version adds in low sugar cranberry juice and an optional cranberry “jam” for even more festive flavor. It may seem like a bit of effort, but fresh cranberry jam makes this drink extra flavorful.
A London Mule is served with gin and a margarita mule- adds in a splash of tequila.
Either way, it’s a fun cocktail to enjoy if you have a big pile of limes on hand.
My favorites are Bedford, Cock & Bull, and Fever-Tree .Trader Joe’s also sells a really good Ginger beer.
Other fun & festive cocktails to enjoy during the holidays:
- Kir Royale
- Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Money’s Egg Nog
- Salted Caramel Moscow Mule
- Apple Cider Mimosas
Ingredients in a Cranberry Moscow Mule:
- vodka
- ginger beer
- limes
- low-sugar cranberry juice
- fresh cranberries- for garnish
- rosemary- for garnish
- FOR THE JAM- Optional
- fresh cranberries
- mint
- water
- sugar
Equipment needed of this recipe:
Variations for the other ornery mule cocktails-
- Add gin and champagne for a champagne cocktail style mule
- Skip the cranberry and add in apple cider
- Try Bourbon, simple syrup and lemon for a Kentucky mule
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP cranberry jam or whole cranberry sauce
- 1 oz vodka
- 2 oz lime juice
- 2 oz low sugar cranberry juice- not cranberry juice cocktail
- 12 oz Cold ginger beer
- Ice
- Copper Moscow Mule mugs
- garnish with lime wheels rosemary springs or whole cranberries, sliced in half
Cranberry Jam
- 1 cup cranberries
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- mint leaves
Instructions
For the Jam
- Bring cranberries, sugar and water to a boil. When berries begin to pop, reduce to a simmer. Cook on low until mixture is thick and berries and soft about 5-7 minutes. Add mint leaves.
- Remove from heat to cool.
- Once cool, store in the fridge up to 7-10 days. Remove mint leaves after 1 day.Makes enough jam for 10 cocktails.
For the Cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker, add 1 TBSP jam, 1 oz vodka, 2 oz lime juice, 2 oz cranberry juice and ice.
- Shake until the vessel is frosted over. Remove top and pour into a cold copper moscow mule mug. Top with chilled Ginger Beer.
- Ganrish with rosemary sprig, lime slices and sliced cranberries.
