This fresh twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail adds just the right touch of fall flavor to your favorite holiday gathering.
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When my family gets together for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we're always on the hunt for a delicious holiday cocktail. We've tried apple cider sangria, cranberry apple sangria and even warm mulled wine.
You can't go wrong with any of those, but I'm such a sucker for moscow mules. It's such a simple cocktail and the ginger taste and fresh lime is so delicious. It will become your favorite drink on the Thanksgiving menu.
Ingredient Notes
- Vodka: this is the traditional liquor used in moscow mules and we love using Titos. It's gluten free, high quality and pretty mild in taste. Keep reading for a few alcohol variations.
- Fresh orange juice: we're going to be using about 1 large orange for the juice, but I recommend purchasing two or three oranges so you can slice some as a garnish.
Juice from 1 lime - Fresh lime juice:I highly recommend buying fresh limes and squeezing them yourself. It makes all the difference in the taste of this festive cocktail. The juice from the bottle just isn't the same. Like the oranges, buy a few extra to slice and garnish.
- Cranberry juice: We prefer unsweetened cranberry juice because the ginger beer is pretty sweet itself. However, you can substitute cranberry cocktail if you want a sweeter drink.
- Ginger beer: despite the name, ginger beer doesn't actually have any alcohol in it. It's kinda like root beer in that way. We used the brand name from our local grocery store, but any brand will be great.
- Garnish: fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, orange slices, pomegranates and cinnamon sticks
How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule Cocktail
- Add the vodka, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker and shake well until combined. You could also use a large glass and stir it with a spoon.
- Pour the cocktail evenly into 4 glasses filled with ice. Preferably copper mugs. Top each glass with ginger beer to the rim then garnish with cranberries, orange slices, pomegranates or cinnamon sticks
Recipe Variations
- Gin Mule: swap the vodka with your favorite brand of gin.
- Mexican Cranberry Mule: swap the vodka for your favorite tequila.
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule: swap the cranberry juice for apple cider and use apples and cinnamon sticks as a garnish.
- Non-alcoholic: Substitute club soda for the alcohol. instead of shaking it with the juices, add it to the end with the ginger beer.
- Make it spicy: add a slice of jalapeno to the mix when you shake it. The longer you shake it, the more spicy it will get! Especially if you add a slice as a garnish.
FAQs
What can I use instead of ginger beer in a Moscow Mule?
If you prefer a more mild ginger flavor, you can use Ginger Ale instead.
What's the difference between a Moscow Mule and American Mule?
There is little to no difference in the American Mule verse the Moscow mule. The only link this classic drink has with Russia is vodka originated there. However, this drink itself was created in the US. The American Mule is sometimes used to refer to variations on the classic (like this recipe!) or if it uses an American vodka.
Can I substitute another fruit for the cranberry juice flavor?
A few of my favorite juice swaps are apple cider, apple juice, pineapple juice, or pomegranate juice.
Moscow Mule Tips
- Serve them in copper mugs. Not only do they look fancy, but it also helps keep them cold.
- Don't add the ginger beer until right before serving. The ginger beer could go flat if you add it too early.
- Get fancy with your garnishes. This is part of the fun of the cocktail and really impresses guests with little to no effort.
More cranberry recipes for the holidays
- Cranberry Margaritas
- Cranberry Apple Sangria
- Healthy Cranberry Sauce (Naturally Sweetened)
- Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs
Recipe
Cranberry Moscow Mule
This fresh twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail adds just the right touch of fall flavor to your favorite holiday gathering.
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Servings: 4 drinks
Calories: 201kcal
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (6 oz) vodka (I recommend Titos)
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice about 1 large orange, plus more for garnish
- 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice about 1 lime, plus more for garnish
- 1 1/4 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened or cranberry cocktail if you want it more sweet)
- About 2 cans of ginger beer for topping
- Garnishes: fresh cranberries, orange slices, lime wedge, rosemary, pomegranates and cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Add the vodka, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker and shake well until combined. You could also use a large glass and stir it with a spoon.
- Pour the cocktail evenly into 4 glasses filled with crushed ice. Preferably copper mugs. Top each glass with ginger beer to the rim then garnish with cranberries, orange slices, pomegranates or cinnamon sticks
Notes
Make it in advance: follow the first step to mix the juices and vodka and store sealed in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. Shake well and pour into glasses then top with ginger beer and garnishes right before serving.
Make it non-alcoholic: sub the vodka for soda water. Add it to the end of the recipe with the ginger beer.
Nutrition information: this includes the info if you're using for unsweetened cranberry juice. This will change if you decide to use cranberry cocktail instead.
Nutrition
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.8g | Protein: 0.6g | Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 12.5mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 24.8g
Did you make this recipe?Mention @What_MollyMade or tag #whatmollymade!
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