Cranberry Christmas Mule – A Great Holiday Drink

A Cranberry Christmas Mule is a festive twist on the the classic Moscow mule that’s sure to be a hit at any holiday party.

Developing New Favorite Cocktails for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us and our thoughts move towards our favorite things this time of year. Whether that is a specific holiday celebration, certain foods, or your favorite cocktails you only find around this time of year, there is always something to look forward to during the Christmas season.

I think every holiday celebration needs a festive signature drink. I also think that the signature drink should have a non-alcoholic option and that way everyone at your gatherings can enjoy a fancy, festive drink and fully participate in the holiday spirit. 

One of my favorite things to do is take classic cocktail recipes and make slight adjustments to make a perfect drink for the holidays. This year I decided to put a fun twist on the traditional Moscow mule and create a festive Christmas drink that everyone, young and old, can enjoy.

What is a Moscow Mule and How to Make It a Holiday Mule?

Traditionally, a Moscow mule is vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. To make this a Christmas Moscow mule, I added some unsweetened cranberry juice, which gives the drink great color and adds a nice tangy, berry flavor.

I don’t like my drinks to be overly sweet, so I use 100% unsweetened cranberry juice, which is fairly tangy and a little goes a long way. If you like your drinks to be sweeter, you could either use cranberry juice cocktail, add a bit of honey, and/or substitute ginger ale for ginger beer (see below).  

Can I Use Ginger Ale Instead of Ginger Beer?

You can absolutely substitute ginger ale in place of ginger beer. However, I want to make one thing clear in that almost all ginger beers today are non-alcoholic (if that is your concern).

When ginger beer was first developed in the mid-1700’s in the Carribean, it was a fermented beverage that combined ginger, water, sugar and sometimes lemon and/or cream of tarter. So, it did contain alcohol. These days, the fermentation process has mostly been replaced by artificial carbonation and with that, the alcoholic content.

Ok, we got that out of the way and now back to the ginger ale substitution. The difference you will find between using ginger ale and your favorite ginger beer, is that it will have a less intense ginger flavor and be lighter and sweeter. It still is very refreshing and delicious and might be more to your liking if you prefer a more muted, sweeter drink.

You can also reduce the calories by using a sugar-free ginger ale. If you like a sweeter taste and a festive drink that fits into a lower-calorie diet, this sounds like a prefect substitution! This is also a great substitution if your local grocery store or liquor store does not have a good ginger beer.

Can I Make This Drink Completely Non-Alcoholic?

You still want to make a great drink but have no alcohol? No problem!

Simply eliminate the vodka. You still have a festive cocktail that looks and tastes great. This is a great recipe for those looking for a delicious holiday cocktail without the alcohol.

Why Use a Copper Cup?

The use of a copper cup to serve a traditional Moscow mule has its roots in a marketing campaign back in the 1940’s. John Martin, whose company owned Smirnoff vodka at the time was crossing the US to generate interest in his Vodka and the Moscow mule. He used the Moscow mule as a signature drink for his vodka brand.

Mr. Martin had a specialty copper Moscow mule mug made for the classic Moscow mule which he left with the bartenders he met. He then took two pictures of the bartender with the Smirnoff vodka and the specialty mug. One picture he left for the bartender and the other he brought to the next bar as “proof” of the popularity of the vodka and the drink!

But, call it a happy accident. The cold metal acts as insulation and keeps the drink chilly and refreshing. A Moscow mule in a frosty copper mug is so good!

Experts will also tell you that the copper can enhance and heighten the flavors within this classic drink. It’s one of the reasons copper has been used in the making of stills for centuries.

But, one of my favorite things about using that cold copper mug, is that it gives the drink a distinct look. You know someone has some type of mule-drink when you see the distinct copper cup. 

A Festive Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe

If you are looking for a signature drink this Christmas season, look no further. Grab yourself a cold copper mug, your favorite ginger beer and vodka and a little cranberry juice and your cranberry mule will be ready to go in no time.

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Making a Cranberry Christmas Mule

• I recommend using 100% unsweetened cranberry juice rather than cranberry juice cocktail. The ginger beer adds sweetness and the 100% unsweetened cranberry juice adds just the right amount of tartness.
• If you do use cranberry juice cocktail, know that the drink will be sweeter than the original recipe.
• Bourbon or whiskey can be substituted for the vodka if you’d like your drink to have a more spirit-forward flavor.
• A garnish of fresh cranberries on a toothpick gives the cocktail a festive look.
• A copper mug will keep the drink nice and cold as well as enhancing the overall flavors.

Ingredients Needed for a Cranberry Christmas Mule

Full instructions can be found below in the recipe card

• Vodka
• 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
• Ginger beer
• Lime
• Ice

How to Make a Cranberry Christmas Mule

• Fill a glass with ice.
• Squeeze fresh lime juice into glass.
• Pour vodka and unsweetened cranberry juice into glass.
• Fill glass with your favorite ginger beer and gently stir.

Looking for More Festive Holiday Cocktails?

• Rosemary Infused Cranberry Bourbon Martini 
• Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
• Jameson Old Fashioned
• Hard Apple Bourbon Cocktail
• Limoncello Lady
• White Russian

 

 

ENJOY!