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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Cocktails » Cranberry Moscow Mule

    Cranberry Moscow Mule

    4.50 from 2 votes
    November 23, 2021 by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Pinterest image for a moscow mule cocktail made with fresh cranberry syrup.
    Pinterest collage for a moscow mule cocktail made with fresh cranberry syrup.
    Pinterest image for a cranberry moscow mule cocktail recipe.
    Pinterest collage for a cranberry moscow mule cocktail recipe.

    We wish you a Berry Christmas! With festive red and green hues, holiday Cranberry Moscow Mule cocktails deserve an invite to every event this season. Homemade cranberry simple syrup adds a sweet tang to spicy ginger and tart lime. This Moscow Mule with cranberry recipe easily scales up for a self-serve cocktail station.

    A cranberry moscow mule cocktail garnished with mint, fresh cranberries, and a lime wedge on a marble table.
    Jump to:
    • Key Ingredients
    • Watching: Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe Video
    • How to Make Cranberry Syrup
    • How to Make Cranberry Moscow Mules
    • Easy Cranberry Moscow Mule Variations
    • Big Batch Cranberry Moscow Mules
    • More Festive Holiday Cocktails
    • Recipe

    I love the holidays, from gift-giving to decor to the cheesiest of carols, but it’s the treats that really make me hear angels sing. How can this many tasty things bombard us over the course of like, just one month and then disappear? (Well, more like two months, nowadays…)

    Yes, I know we are all about wholesome, healthy recipes here, but also: yes to cookies, cakes, and candies; big buckets of popcorn; those weird little meat and cheese samplers; and absolutely yes to wintery craft cocktails.

    But you don’t need to be a treat freak to enjoy this holiday indulgence. Cranberry Moscow Mules are sweet enough to win over those of us who still eat candy canes right off the tree, but grown-up enough for those of us who scold people for eating candy canes right off the tree.

    This isn’t just some Moscow Mule with cranberry juice, it’s a Moscow Mule with homemade fresh cranberry simple syrup, fresh squeezed lime juice, and depending on your preferences, the choicest of ginger beers and vodkas.

    Now admittedly, the mule isn’t a go-to cocktail for me on a regular basis. But the addition of homemade cranberry simple syrup makes this not only the best Moscow Mule cocktail I’ve ever had, but one of the best seasonal beverages. Because in a sea of nogs and grogs, a refreshingly light and bright holiday drink sounds especially welcome.

    For a condensed post, click the view the web story for this holiday cocktail recipe.

    An overhead view of a cranberry moscow mule cocktail on a marble table.

    Key Ingredients

    • Vodka:  aim for a mid-premium brand. Top shelf quality isn’t as important here as it is in a martini, for example, when the liquor is flavoring the drink, rather than just punching it up. I like Tito’s because it’s gluten-free, but Stoli and Ketel One are also great options for your cranberry Moscow Mule. If you want to go really extra, look for a cranberry flavored vodka!
    • Ginger Beer:  how gingery your ginger beer tastes is extremely subjective, but it’s a key ingredient in any mule, so don’t go bottom tier. I like it bold and spicy, so my pick is usually Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer. Fever Tree and Q are tasty and accessible, if not slightly more expensive, and top most of the internet’s “best of” lists. For diet drinkers, some people swear by Zevia, but if you hate the taste of stevia, Diet Goslings is an ol’ reliable.
    • Be sure to use fresh squeezed lime juice for best flavor.

    Watching: Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe Video

    How to Make Cranberry Syrup

    Skip. The. Cranberry. Juice. Seriously, just say no! It’s absolutely worth the time for the added flavor and texture it brings to a homemade craft cocktail.

    Approach the cranberry syrup just like you would if you were making homemade cranberry sauce. This simple syrup is made with fresh cranberries, honey or sugar, and a bit of water.

    • Cranberries, water, and honey in a small saucepan.
      Combine cranberries, water, and honey or sugar.
    • Cranberries cooked with water and honey until falling apart in a small saucepan.
      Simmer until cranberries burst.
    • Strained homemade cranberry syrup in a small glass bowl.
      Strain.
    1. Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and place over medium high heat. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the cranberries soften then fall apart. 
    2. Strain the syrup through fine mesh sieve. Press on the cranberries with a spatula to release as much syrup as possible. Set aside to cool.
    3. If syrup thickens too much as it cools, add a tablespoon of water at a time, until the consistency resembles honey.

    How to Make Cranberry Moscow Mules

    Talk about a holiday spirit! Cranberry Moscow Mules are a perfectly sweet-and-tart, festively-hued seasonal drink. This classic cocktail with a tart, berry twist will be a hit with merry-makers at all of your holiday gatherings. Craft individually, or create a large batch base so guests can make their own at a self-serve mule station.

    • Pouring vodka into a copper mug.
      Add vodka.
    • Pouring homemade cranberry syrup into a copper mug.
      Add cranberry syrup.
    • Adding lime juice to a copper mug with vodka and cranberry syrup.
      Add lime juice.
    • Adding crushed ice to a copper mug with vodka, cranberry syrup, and lime juice.
      Fill mug â…” of the way with crushed ice, then stir.
    • Topping the a cranberry moscow mule with ginger beer.
      Top with ginger beer.
    • A cranberry moscow mule topped with lots of crushed ice before garnishing.
      Add more crushed ice, then garnish.
    1. Combine 2 ounces of vodka with 1 ounce of cranberry syrup and half an ounce of fresh squeezed lime juice in a copper mug.
    2. Stir up the base, then fill the mug half way with ice (crushed is traditional, cubes are fine, but nuggets would be better).
    3. Top with ginger beer, then garnish with fresh cranberries, mint, and a lime wedge. Couldn’t be easier!
    Side view, a homemade cranberry moscow mule in a copper mug, garnished with mint and fresh cranberries.

    Easy Cranberry Moscow Mule Variations

    • Use either ½ cup sugar or ¼ cup honey for the cranberry simple syrup. I tested cranberry mules with both, but preferred the earthier sweetness of honey with the ginger beer.
    • Make the cranberry syrup in advance and refrigerate. It will thicken up significantly after chilling, so thin it out with a tablespoon of water at a time, until it reaches the consistency of honey. It holds up 3-5 days in the fridge.
    • Make a non-alcoholic Cranberry Moscow Mule drink by simply omitting the vodka, and mixing the cranberry and ginger beer. Mellow out the flavor with seltzer, if needed.

    Big Batch Cranberry Moscow Mules

    This recipe easily scales up for a crowd. Here’s how to convert the standard recipe below into a self-serve mule station for a cocktail party. The variations below scale up to 8 cocktails, but feel free to double it again for a larger crowd:

    1. Double the cranberry syrup to get about 1 cup total.
    2. Combine the 1 cup cranberry syrup with 2 cups vodka and a ½ cup of lime juice in a pitcher or decanter. Stir to combine, then chill.
    3. Set up a beverage station with an ice bucket, shot glass, several bottles of ginger beer, mugs, and small bowls of garnishes. Instruct guests to pour three “shots” of the cranberry mule mix into a glass with ice, then top with their ginger beer. Stir, garnish, and serve!

    More Festive Holiday Cocktails

    • Cranberry Orange Whiskey Punch
    • Mulled Apple Cider
    • Apple Cider Hot Toddy
    • Apple Cider Sangria
    • Rosemary Honey Bourbon Cocktail
    Two cranberry moscow mule cocktails on a marble table with a small bowl of fresh cranberries.

    Did you make this Cranberry Moscow Mule? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    A close up image of a cranberry moscow mule cocktail garnished with mint, fresh cranberries, and a lime wedge.

    Cranberry Moscow Mule

    4.50 from 2 votes
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Talk about a holiday spirit! Cranberry Moscow Mules are a perfectly sweet-tart, festively-hued seasonal drink. This classic cocktail with a twist will be a hit with merry-makers at all of your parties. Craft individually, or create a large batch base so guests can make their own at a self-serve mule station.
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 20 mins
    Total Time: 25 mins
    Servings : 1
    Calories: 247

    Recommended Equipment

    • Fine-mesh Strainer
    • Small Sauce Pot
    • Spatula
    • Copper Mug

    Ingredients

    Cranberry Syrup

    • 1 c fresh cranberries
    • ½ c water
    • ¼ c honey, or ½ c sugar

    Cranberry Moscow Mule

    • 2 oz vodka
    • 1 oz cranberry syrup
    • ½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
    • 6 oz ginger beer
    • lime wedge, for garnish
    • mint sprig, for garnish
    • fresh cranberries, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Combine the cranberries, water, and honey in a small saucepan and place over medium high heat. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the cranberries soften then fall apart. 
    • Pour the syrup through fine mesh strainer, and press on the cranberries with a spatula to release as much syrup as possible. Set aside to cool. If the syrup thickens too much as it cools, add water, a tablespoon at a time, until the consistency resembles honey.
    • To make one cocktail, Combine the vodka, cranberry syrup, and lime juice in a copper mug. Stir to combine. Fill the mug halfway with crushed ice. Pour the ginger beer over the ice and stir one more. Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint, lime wedge, and fresh cranberries. Serve immediately. See notes for making a large-batch moscow mule cocktail station.

    Notes

    The cranberry syrup makes enough for four cocktails (about half a cup of syrup).
    To create large-batch cranberry moscow mules (serves 8, and scales up easily):
    • Double the cranberry syrup (about 1 cup total).
    • Combine the 1 cup cranberry syrup with 2 cups vodka and a ½ cup of lime juice in a pitcher or decanter. Stir to combine, then chill. 
    • Set up a beverage station with an ice bucket, shot glass, several bottles of ginger beer, mugs, and small bowls of garnishes. Instruct guests to pour three “shots” of the cranberry mule base into a glass with ice, then top with ginger beer. Stir, garnish, and serve! 

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 247kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 41g (14%), Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 52mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 37g (41%), Vitamin A: 0%, Vitamin C: 11.6% (12%), Calcium: 10% (10%), Iron: 0.2%
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    13 Comments
    Filed Under: Cocktails, Fall Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Winter Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brenda

      February 02, 2020 at 10:04 pm

      4 stars
      These were so good. I skipped the mint. I only had tea vodka-what?! So I used that and they were yummy. So easy to make the cranberry syrup too. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Italiano Student

      June 14, 2022 at 6:41 am

      Ho provato questo mentre ero impegnato a raccogliere il mio codice fiscale online che è per i cittadini italiani. Ma comunque, mi piace molto come si è rivelato. Semplicemente perfetto

      Reply

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