The best cranberry Moscow mule! Truly one of the best Moscow mules we’ve ever had, and that’s a lot coming from the original creators of the Apple Cider Moscow mule!
This recipe is made with homemade ginger cranberry simple syrup and topped with festive sugared cranberries and a pile of fresh orange zest.
The scent, flavor, and perfectly chilled copper mugs make this one of our favorite holiday cocktails.
Cranberries are one of our favorite fruits, which is why we love these vodka cranberry cocktails and gin cranberry martinis.
This festive holiday cocktail is perfect for your next dinner party or holiday party. It’s ideal in many different ways: the colors, the name, and the festive theme all reflect the holiday spirit.
So without further ado, let’s shake together a frozen Cranberry Moscow Mule and serve it to your guests this holiday season! Best of all, it’s easy to make, and your guests will love it!
If you love this orange and cranberry combination, try our cranberry margarita recipe too!
Brief History of the Moscow Mule
Table of Contents
Despite the Moscow Mule’s name implying Russian origins, it was invented in 1941 by two good friends, John Martin of G.F. Huselin Brothers (a food distributor based in Connecticut) and Jack Morgan, the President of Cock ‘n Bull Productions (a ginger beer producer).
How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule
What You’ll Need
- Sauce Pan (for the simple syrup)
- Measuring Cup (1 cup)
Ingredients
The full recipe and measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Vodka – See our recommendations below for the best vodka.
Ginger Cranberry Simple Syrup – This syrup adds so much flavor to the cocktail and the ginger gives it an extra gingery flavor. See the recipe below.
Lime Juice – Fresh squeezed always.
Ginger Beer – See our recommendations for the best ginger beer below.
Sugared Cranberries – These are easy to make and add a festive touch and more flavor to the drink.
Orange Zest – A must for this recipe! Use a zester to add a layer of beautiful orange zest over the top.
Directions
- Make the ginger cranberry simple syrup.
- 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 lots of orange zest over the top.
What does Orange Zest do?
In addition to its visual appeal, orange zest contains several oils that will infuse your cocktail with a deep orange aroma.
The oil in citrus rinds actually adds more flavor to recipes than the juice, so keep that in mind when you’re incorporating it into your recipes.
Cranberry Moscow Mule Simple Syrup Recipe
The cranberry syrup is a great way to give your Moscow Mules a unique, seasonal flavor. It also works great on other types of cocktails or even just poured over ice and soda.
This will make about 8 ounces of simple syrup, which is perfect for a pitcher of mules.
Instructions
- Mix 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cup cranberries, 1 tbsp fresh ginger
- Boil until the cranberries pop and are soft
- Strain, and you’re done!
How To Make Sugared Cranberries
Simple and gorgeous, these sugared cranberries are perfect for any occasion! Three ingredients are all you need for this gorgeous candied cranberry recipe, the perfect garnish or snack for the holidays.
- Make these berries by running water over the cranberries, then rolling them in a bowl full of sugar.
- Ensure they are all evenly coated with sugar.
Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Mule
- Orange zest and sugared cranberries are a MUST for this recipe. Do not leave them out!
- Use good quality vodka and ginger beer.
- Make a pitcher for a party, but remember always taste test.
- Add more or less simple syrup, vodka, or ginger beer depending on your preference.
- Always serve a mule in a copper cup. The copper actually adds to the taste of the drink and also keeps it super cold.
How to Make Cranberry Moscow Mule Pitcher
To make a pitcher of this fantastic frozen cranberry Moscow Mule, multiply our recipe by 8. Garnish the pitcher with plenty of sugared cranberries and a lot of orange zest.
How To Make A Cranberry Moscow Mule Mocktail
The traditional Moscow Mule has vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and ginger beer. It’s not difficult to adjust our recipe for a mocktail. We’re going for a non-alcoholic cocktail, so we’re skipping the vodka. With cranberry and orange, it’s festive and fun.
Best Vodka for Cranberry Mules
Here is a list of the best vodkas to make frozen cranberry Moscow mules with:
- Reyka Vodka
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Grey Goose Vodka
- Skyy Cranberry Infused Vodka
- Prairie Organic Vodka
- King St. Vodka
- Hangar 1 Vodka
- Belvedere Vodka
- Amass Vodka
Cocktail Variations
There are so many versions of the Moscow mule! We love them all. If you’re up for it, make your own variation with these 5 ideas:
- Add fresh rosemary into the simple syrup to make a frozen cranberry Moscow Mule with rosemary.
- For an apple cranberry Moscow mule, add 1-ounce apple cider.
- Add pomegranate juice for a cranberry pomegranate Moscow mule.
- Replace the gin with vodka for a gin mule.
- Use stevia when making the simple syrup and diet ginger beer for a skinny cranberry Moscow mule.
Best Ginger Beer for Moscow Mules
- Sugar-Free Zevia Mixer Ginger Beer
Our Favorite Copper Mugs and Cups
Hammered Copper Tumbler – 100% Pure Hammered Copper Tumbler
Beautiful, Classic Antique Mugs
When to Serve a Cranberry Mule
This is the perfect cocktail to serve for the holidays! Any of these occasions would be great:
- Happy Hour
- Holiday Parties
- While Baking Cookies
A cranberry mule is a tart and slightly sweet drink. It’s made with cranberry juice, lime juice, ginger beer, and vodka. It has notes of ginger and cranberries with fresh lime. We add orange zest and sugared cranberries for even more flavor.
There is no need to shake a Moscow mule. This is an easy mixed drink that requires zero shaking! That’s the best part about making this cocktail is that all of the ingredients are poured into a chilled copper mug.
More Moscow Mule Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this recipe, then you have to try more of our favorite Moscow mules recipes!
Also, check out our favorite vodka cocktails and the best cranberry jello shots!
Let us Know What you Think!
If you make this cocktail, let us 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
Instructions
- Make the ginger cranberry simple syrup. Recipe in the notes below.
- Strainthe simple syrup through a mesh sieve and discard the berries and ginger.
- 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.
Notes
- In a saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cup cranberries, 1 tbsp fresh ginger.
- Bring to a soft boil until the cranberries pop and are soft and the sugar has melted.
- Strain into a heat proof glass and you’re done!
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
