A Festive Twist on a Classic Mule Cocktail
Ready to add a little extra sparkle to your Christmas festivities with a delicious Cranberry Moscow Mule? What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a cocktail that’s as refreshing as a snow-dusted morning?
As a Christmas enthusiast who loves mixing cocktails as much as baking festive treats, this delightful recipe holds a special place in my heart. It's the perfect blend of tart cranberry juice, zesty ginger beer, and smooth vodka, served in the iconic copper mug that keeps your drink perfectly chilled. Topped with frozen cranberries and a sprig of rosemary, this cocktail isn’t just a drink—it’s a celebration in a cup.
Doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to toast the holidays?
For this recipe, I’ve amped up the cranberry flavor to make it shine as brightly as your Christmas tree. While classic mule recipes typically call for syrup, I’ve swapped it out for 3 ounces of cranberry juice, doubling the usual amount of sweet liquid to give this drink its festive punch—just like I did with my Apple Cider Moscow Mule.
I recommend pairing this vibrant drink with one of my Mini Christmas Trifles or a slice of rich and nutty Chestnut Bundt Cake. These little additions turn your cocktail hour into a full-fledged holiday experience.
As we mix, sip, and savor this Christmassy mule, let’s remember the words of Charles Dickens: “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” This cocktail is the perfect way to honor the season—one sip at a time. Cheers to a holiday filled with warmth, laughter, and a little copper mug magic!
🥘 Ingredients
- Cranberry juice
- Vodka - For a sweeter twist, opt for vanilla vodka, or if you’d like to amplify the cranberry flavor, try using cranberry-flavored vodka instead.
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed
- Cubed ice
- Ginger beer - check the recommendations below the instructions
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Step-by-Step
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Pour a double portion of cranberry juice, your choice of vodka (vanilla for sweetness or cranberry for an extra fruity twist), and lime juice into a chilled copper mug filled with ice cubes.
Step 2: Top it up with your favorite ginger beer and gently mix with a bar spoon until everything is merry and bright.
Step 3: Add a festive garnish—sprigs of rosemary for a wintry touch and a handful of frozen cranberries that sparkle like Christmas ornaments. Serve and enjoy!
🍻 Best Ginger Beers for Your Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Fever-Tree Ginger Beer – Bold and fiery with a natural ginger flavor.
- Bundaberg Ginger Beer – Smooth, rich, and slightly sweet.
- Q Ginger Beer – Crisp and refreshing with a spicy kick.
- Reed's Extra Ginger Brew – Intensely spicy and full-bodied.
- Cock'n Bull Ginger Beer – Classic mule favorite with zesty heat.
- Fentimans Ginger Beer – Botanically brewed with warm spice and a citrusy finish.
🍽 Equipment
- Measuring tools / Jigger
- Lemon squeezer
- Bar spoon
- Copper mugs
💭 Top tips
What is a built drink?
A built drink is a cocktail prepared directly in the serving glass rather than being mixed in a shaker or stirred in a separate mixing vessel.
Examples of built drinks include the Moscow Mule, Gin and Tonic, and Cuba Libre.
Why copper mugs for a Moscow mule?
- Temperature Control
Copper is an excellent temperature conductor, keeping your Moscow Mule refreshingly cool for longer and enhancing the crisp, frosty drinking experience. - Tradition and Aesthetics
The Moscow Mule was introduced in the 1940s as part of a marketing effort to sell vodka and ginger beer, and copper mugs became part of the branding. - Presentation
Let’s face it—Moscow Mules served in copper mugs just look special. The gleaming mugs make the drink visually appealing, especially when adorned with rosemary, cranberries, or lime wedges during the holiday season.
Other Moscow Mule Recipes for You to Try
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don't miss it.
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting board & Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 3 oz Vodka 1 ½ oz / 4 cl per mug
- 3 oz Cranberry juice 1 ½ oz / 4 cl per mug
- 1 ½ oz Fresh lime juice ¾ oz / 2 cl per mug
- Cubed Ice
- 2 Ginger beer 1 per mug
- Frozen cranberries and rosemary twigs for garnish
Instructions
- Pour 3 oz Vodka, 3 oz Cranberry juice, and 1 ½ oz Fresh lime juice directly into the copper mug.3 oz Vodka, 3 oz Cranberry juice, 1 ½ oz Fresh lime juice
- Fill the mug with Cubed Ice and top with 2 Ginger beer.Cubed Ice, 2 Ginger beer
- Stir briefly with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with Frozen cranberries and rosemary twigs.Frozen cranberries and rosemary twigs
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.
Ashley says
I love a Moscow Mule and your holiday version is just perfect! Can't wait to serve these at our Christmas party!
Liz says
We love Moscow mules and this version will get us through the holidays! So tasty!!!
Sabine says
Moscow Mule is my favorite cocktail, but never tried it with cranberry juice. And how good was this. My new favorite cocktail, for sure!
Criss says
This Cranberry Moscow Mule is the perfect mix of tangy and refreshing! I made it recently, and it’s such an easy yet festive drink—great for any gathering or a cozy evening in.
Swathi says
Cranberry moscow mule drink is so refreshing and delicious that I have tried it.