This Christmas Moscow Mule transforms the classic vodka and ginger beer cocktail into a stunning holiday showstopper. I still remember the first time I served these sparkly cranberry drinks at our family’s Christmas Eve gathering – my grandchildren couldn’t stop admiring the sugared cranberries glistening like tiny ornaments in their copper mugs.
Growing up in the Midwest, our holiday parties always centered around simple, beautiful presentations that didn’t require fancy skills. This festive Moscow mule follows that same philosophy. The tart cranberry juice creates the most gorgeous pink-red color, while those sugar-coated cranberries and rosemary sprigs add just the right amount of holiday sparkle. I’ve made these for countless Christmas parties over the years, and they never fail to get folks asking for the recipe. Whether you call it a Christmas mule, Yule Mule, or cranberry Moscow mule, it’s become our go-to holiday cocktail. Time to make your kitchen counter look like Santa’s workshop.
Why This Christmas Moscow Mule Belongs in Your Recipe Box
Every Christmas season, I’m asked to bring these cranberry Moscow mules to at least three different holiday gatherings. There’s something magical about how this simple cocktail makes any celebration feel special – it’s the drink equivalent of stringing up twinkle lights.
What makes this Christmas Moscow Mule so perfect for holiday entertaining:
- Uses everyday ingredients you likely have – vodka, cranberry juice, and ginger beer from any grocery store
- Comes together in minutes once your sugared garnishes are prepped
- Creates restaurant-worthy presentation without bartending school
- Adapts easily for non-drinkers by simply omitting the vodka
- Works without special equipment – no cocktail shaker needed if you don’t have one
- Delivers that perfect balance of spicy ginger, tart cranberry, and smooth vodka
I love serving these in traditional copper mugs when I have them, but honestly, any pretty glass works beautifully. The sugared garnishes steal the show anyway.
Ingredient Spotlight
Vodka provides the smooth, neutral spirit base that lets the cranberry and ginger flavors shine through – I always choose a mid-range vodka since the other ingredients add plenty of character.
Cranberry juice gives this Christmas mule its beautiful pink-red holiday color and adds that perfect tart contrast to the spicy ginger beer; black cherry cranberry juice works wonderfully if you want extra depth.
Ginger beer is the essential ingredient that makes any Moscow mule special with its spicy kick and carbonation – never substitute ginger ale here, as it’s too mild and sweet.
Simple syrup serves double duty in this recipe, first sweetening the drink and then acting as the adhesive for your sparkly sugar coating on the garnishes.
Fresh cranberries become edible ornaments once coated in sugar, adding both visual appeal and a delightful pop of tartness when eaten.
Fresh rosemary contributes a subtle herbal aroma that screams “Christmas” and looks absolutely stunning once crystallized with sugar.
Granulated white sugar transforms ordinary cranberries and rosemary into glittering decorations and adds a touch of sweetness to the rim of your glass.
How to Make Christmas Moscow Mule Step by Step
Step 1. I always start by making the simple syrup first, since it needs cooling time – combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, then let it cool for at least 15 minutes.
Step 2. While your syrup cools, prepare your garnishes by gently coating fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs in the cooled simple syrup, then arrange them on a wire cooling rack.
Step 3. Betty’s tip: let those syrup-coated garnishes dry for about an hour until they’re no longer sticky – this patience pays off when the sugar coating sticks beautifully.
Step 4. Once dried, roll the cranberries and rosemary in granulated sugar to create that gorgeous crystallized appearance, saving the remaining sugar on a plate for rimming glasses.
Step 5. To rim your glass, swipe the edge with simple syrup and gently press it into the reserved sugar – I’ve found this creates a much better sugar rim than using citrus juice.
Step 6. Fill your glass or copper mug with ice all the way to the top for the coldest, most refreshing cranberry Moscow mule.
Step 7. Pour 2 ounces of vodka directly into the glass, followed by 1 ounce of cranberry juice – if you’re using a cocktail shaker, combine these with ice first, shake for 20-30 seconds, then strain.
Step 8. Top with 4 ounces of ginger beer, pouring slowly to preserve the carbonation that gives this Christmas mule its signature fizz.
Step 9. After years of making these, I learned to add the ginger beer last and never shake it – carbonation is what makes this cocktail dance on your tongue.
Step 10. Garnish with your beautiful sugared cranberries and a sprig of crystallized rosemary, and serve immediately while everything is perfectly chilled.
Keeping This Christmas Moscow Mule Fresh
These festive cocktails are best made fresh due to the carbonated ginger beer, which loses its sparkle if mixed ahead. I typically make my sugared garnishes in the morning for an evening party, storing them at room temperature on the wire rack where they dried. The crystallized cranberries and rosemary will hold their sparkle for 2-3 days if you need to prep further ahead – just keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before using.
The simple syrup stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in a sealed container, making it easy to whip up Christmas Moscow mules whenever the mood strikes. I always make a double batch and keep it handy throughout the holiday season.
For the best texture and flavor, mix each drink individually as guests arrive rather than batching. The ginger beer’s carbonation is really the star here, and it goes flat quickly once opened. Betty’s method works perfectly – have your garnished glasses ready, ice nearby, and just assemble each cranberry Moscow mule to order in less than a minute.
Christmas Moscow Mule
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes.
- Coat the fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs in the cooled simple syrup, then place them on a wire cooling rack to dry for about 1 hour.
- Once dried, toss the cranberries and rosemary in 1/3 cup granulated sugar to coat completely. Reserve remaining sugar on a plate for rimming the glass.
- Swipe the rim of your glass or copper mug with simple syrup, then dip into the reserved sugar to create a sugar rim.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add 2 oz vodka and 1 oz cranberry juice to the glass. (Alternative: shake vodka and cranberry juice with ice in a cocktail shaker for 20-30 seconds, then strain into the ice-filled glass.)
- Top with 4 oz ginger beer, pouring gently to preserve carbonation.
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and a sprig of sugared rosemary. Serve immediately.
Notes
Perfect Partners for Christmas Moscow Mule
- Whipped Feta Dip with Honey Herbs provides a creamy, savory contrast to the cold, spicy cocktail and makes the perfect elegant appetizer for holiday mingling
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic Herbs offer that addictive crunch guests love to nibble while sipping their festive mules
- Crab Cake Bites add an elegant appetizer option with delicate flavors that pair wonderfully with the herbal rosemary garnish
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze give vegetarian guests something substantial while providing earthy flavors that complement the cranberry beautifully
- Grilled Corn on the Cob with Garlic Herb Butter delivers that warm, buttery contrast to the cold, fizzy cocktail perfect for year-round entertaining
My family particularly loves serving these cranberry Moscow mules alongside a spread of warm appetizers – the cold, fizzy cocktail with its ginger bite cuts through rich holiday foods perfectly.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Moscow mules ahead for a party?
I don’t recommend premixing these due to the ginger beer’s carbonation, but you can absolutely prep everything else – make your simple syrup, sugar your garnishes, rim your glasses, and even measure vodka and cranberry juice into small containers for quick assembly.
What’s the best substitute for vodka in a mocktail version?
Simply omit the vodka and you’ll still have a delicious cranberry ginger beer mocktail; for kids, I recommend using ginger ale instead of ginger beer since ginger beer can be quite spicy for young taste buds.
Why use ginger beer instead of ginger ale?
Ginger beer has a much stronger, spicier ginger flavor and more carbonation than ginger ale – it’s what gives a proper Moscow mule its signature kick and prevents the drink from tasting too sweet.
Can I use a different type of cranberry juice?
Betty’s solution is to use black cherry cranberry juice for extra depth of flavor, but any 100% cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail works beautifully in this festive mule.
Do I really need a copper mug?
Many home cooks find success with any glass – copper mugs keep drinks colder longer and enhance the flavors slightly, but the Christmas Moscow mule tastes wonderful in any pretty glass you have.
How do I prevent my sugared garnishes from getting sticky?
To prevent this issue, make sure your simple syrup has cooled completely and allow the coated cranberries and rosemary to dry on a wire rack for the full hour before rolling in sugar.
