Classic Cranberry Moscow Mule

Three Cranberry Moscow Mules in copper cups sit on marble next to sprigs of rosemary and fresh cranberries

This Cranberry Moscow Mule is a lovely Christmas sipper. Also known as a Yule Mule, this twist on the classic cocktail highlights cranberry juice! Makes 1 drink, but can easily be made into a pitcher.

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings drink

Calories 301kcal

Ingredients

2 oz. unsweetened cranberry juice do NOT use cranberry cocktail
1 ½ oz. vodka
1 oz. simple syrup
½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
3 oz. ginger beer
Rosemary for garnish
Cranberries fresh or frozen, for garnish
Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

In a copper mug (or another glass that you’ll serve this drink in) filled with ice, measure out the unsweetened cranberry juice, vodka, simple syrup and lime juice.
Top with ginger beer.
Stir the ingredients with a cocktail spoon until combined.
Enjoy immediately with a wedge of lime, a handful of cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for garnish.

Notes

A note on ingredients:

The beauty of this Cranberry Moscow Mule is in the balance. Please use unsweetened cranberry juice, not cranberry cocktail, because that will throw off the balance and make this drink a lot sweeter than it was intended to be. The spice of the ginger compliments the tartness of the cranberries, and using a sweeter juice will throw that off.

To make a 6-serving pitcher:

Combine the following in a pitcher, stir and serve immediately:

12 oz. unsweetened cranberry juice
9 oz. vodka
6 oz. simple syrup
3 oz. lime juice
18 oz. ginger beer

Easy entertaining tips and tricks

One to two hours before the party, squeeze the limes. I don’t recommend using jarred lime juice, as it’s not nearly as fresh-tasting and sometimes veers toward bitterness.
Quarter your limes in advance, too, for the garnish. Keep ‘em in a food storage container in the fridge for up to a few days before your gathering.
Mix the drinks as guests want to sip them because the ginger beer will go flat.
If you want to prep this drink in advance, squeeze the limes, make the simple syrup, measure the cranberry juice and the vodka. Keep them in individual glasses/jars, and print out the instructions for this drink so guests can mix their own!

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