You’re going to love this Cranberry Moscow Mule! It’s a festive twist on the classic, made with vibrant ginger cranberry syrup and bubbly ginger beer and finished with sugared berries and a hint of fresh orange zest. Bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and refreshing!
The aroma, flavor, and perfectly chilled copper mugs make this one of my all-time favorite holiday cocktails! And that’s saying a lot, coming from the creator of the original Apple Cider Moscow Mule.
If you’re a fan of the orange and cranberry combo, try my refreshing Cranberry Margarita recipe, too!
Cranberry Moscow Mule Ingredients
Vodka: The foundation of any great Moscow Mule. Check out our recommendations below for the best vodkas to use.
Ginger Cranberry Simple Syrup: This syrup is the star of the show, adding a flavorful punch with hints of tart cranberry and spicy ginger. See the full recipe below.
Lime Juice: Always use fresh-squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
Ginger Beer: For that classic mule flavor, use a high-quality ginger beer. See our top picks below.
Sugared Cranberries: These easy-to-make candied cranberries not only enhance the drink’s flavor but also add a beautiful festive garnish.
Orange Zest: A must-have! Fresh orange zest brings out citrus oils, which add both aroma and flavor to the cocktail.
Why Orange Zest is Important
Orange zest does more than add a pop of color—it’s packed with citrus oils that enhance the flavor of your drink. In fact, the oils in the zest contribute more flavor than the juice itself, making it an essential ingredient in this Cranberry Moscow Mule recipe.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
Sugared cranberries are an easy and elegant garnish for your mule. Here’s how to make them:
- Rinse fresh cranberries under cold water.
- Roll them in simple syrup and then in a bowl full of sugar until fully coated.
- Let them dry, and they’re ready to garnish your cocktail!
How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule Pitcher
Planning a party? Scale up this recipe by multiplying the ingredients by 8 to make a pitcher of Cranberry Moscow Mules. Garnish with plenty of sugared cranberries and orange zest for a festive presentation.
Cranberry Moscow Mule Cocktail Variations
Make it a skinny mule by using stevia in the syrup and diet ginger beer.
Add fresh rosemary to the syrup for a Cranberry Moscow Mule with a herbal twist.
Mix in apple cider for a festive Apple Cranberry Mule.
Add pomegranate juice for a Cranberry Pomegranate Mule.
Replace vodka with gin for a Gin Mule.
More Moscow Mule Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this recipe, try more of my favorite Moscow mules recipes!
- Gingerbread Moscow Mule
- Lemon and Sage Moscow Mule
- Kentucky Mule
- Blueberry Moscow Mule
- Tokyo Moscow Mule
Also, check out my favorite vodka cocktails and the best cranberry jello shots!
If you make this cocktail, let me know by leaving a comment and review below! We’d love to know your thoughts.
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Cranberry Moscow Mule
Ingredients
Cranberry Moscow Mule
- 2 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce cranberry ginger simple syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- 4 sugared cranberries
- 2 tsp orange zest
Cranberry Ginger Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 tbsp ginger, fresh
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil until the cranberries pop and soften.
- Strain the mixture, and your cranberry syrup is ready to use!
- Fill a copper cup or mug with ice.
- Pour the vodka, lime juice, simple syrup and the mug and stir.
- Top it with ginger beer.
- Add the sugared cranberries and orange zest over the top.
