There’s something about a good Moscow Mule that always feels refreshing, but when you give it a holiday twist, it becomes a full on celebration in a glass. This Holiday Moscow Mule brings together tart cranberry, fresh lime, winter spices, and classic ginger beer to create a Christmas cocktail that is both crisp and cozy. It has the perfect blend of seasonal flavors without feeling too heavy, which makes it a great option for everything from holiday parties to quiet evenings by the tree.

I still remember the first time I tried a holiday version of a Mule. Someone brought a batch to a Christmas potluck, and the mix of ginger beer and cranberry immediately caught my attention. It tasted bright, cheerful, and festive in a way that made you want to sip it slowly while enjoying the night. Since then, I’ve been making my own version every year, and it has become one of my go to Christmas recipes for entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This

This Holiday Moscow Mule has all the qualities that make a festive drink stand out. It is crisp, colorful, and packed with flavors that instantly feel like the season.

The ginger beer adds a lively kick, while the cranberry juice gives it that beautiful ruby color that looks amazing against a copper mug. Whether you’re making one for yourself or preparing a whole tray for guests, this drink always delivers.

Quick and Easy: This drink comes together in under two minutes, perfect for busy holiday nights.
Festive Appearance: Bright red cranberries and rosemary make it look instantly seasonal.
Beautiful Flavor Balance: The sweetness of ginger beer mixes well with tart cranberry juice.
Great for Parties: Simple ingredients make it easy to serve to a crowd.
Refreshing Yet Cozy: The cinnamon stick garnish adds a warm holiday aroma.
Customizable: You can adjust sweetness or tartness with ease.

With its vibrant color and winter flavors, this cocktail will quickly become a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

The Holiday Moscow Mule uses familiar ingredients but arranges them in a festive way that highlights the best parts of each one. The vodka provides a clean base, the cranberry juice adds tart fruitiness, and the ginger beer creates that classic Mule fizz people love. The lime juice brightens the drink, while the garnishes bring in true holiday charm.

2 oz vodka
4 oz ginger beer
2 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz lime juice
cinnamon stick, sprig of rosemary, and fresh cranberries for garnish

Each ingredient has a purpose. The ginger beer gives the cocktail its signature bite. Cranberry juice adds color and a tart contrast that pairs well with the ginger.

Lime juice keeps the drink lively and prevents it from becoming too sweet. The garnishes add aroma, color, and that unmistakable holiday touch.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

The vodka you choose can influence the smoothness and overall finish of the drink. While you don’t need anything top shelf, picking a quality mid range vodka helps the other ingredients shine. Ginger beer and cranberry juice also vary in flavor, so choosing the right combination can enhance your cocktail even more.

Tito’s Vodka: Smooth, clean, and great for cocktails.
Absolut Vodka: Balanced and easy to mix.
Ketel One Vodka: Crisp flavor that works well with ginger beer.
Fever Tree Ginger Beer: Strong ginger taste and not too sweet.
Q Ginger Beer: Bold flavor with a peppery kick.
Sub for Vodka: Use gin for a botanical twist.
Sub for Cranberry Juice: Try pomegranate juice for deeper color and flavor.

These options help you create your perfect version of a Holiday Moscow Mule.

Equipment and Glassware

The classic way to serve a Moscow Mule is in a copper mug because it keeps the drink colder for longer, but you can also use a highball glass if you prefer. You won’t need much equipment for this recipe at all, which is one of the things that makes it ideal for busy holiday gatherings.

You’ll need:

If you want to elevate your presentation, chill your glass or mug ahead of time so the drink stays extra cold.

How to Make It

The Holiday Moscow Mule is incredibly simple to prepare, making it a great choice when you want something quick yet visually impressive. Mixing the ingredients directly in the serving glass keeps things easy and makes cleanup even faster.

Fill a copper mug or a highball glass with ice cubes.
Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice over the ice.
Top with ginger beer and stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick, a sprig of rosemary, and a few fresh cranberries.
Serve immediately and enjoy the festive flavors.

If you want a slightly sweeter drink, add a splash of simple syrup before stirring.

Pro Tips

A few simple tips can help you bring out the best flavors and presentation in your Holiday Moscow Mule. These tricks keep the drink balanced, cold, and visually festive.

Use chilled ingredients so the drink stays cold without too much melted ice.
Choose strong ginger beer for a bold, spicy finish.
Roll your lime before cutting to get the most juice.
Use crushed ice for a frostier texture if you prefer.
Add cranberries last so they float neatly at the top.
Do not over stir to preserve carbonation.
Use real cranberry juice instead of cranberry cocktail for deeper flavor.

These tips help you create a polished, flavorful Christmas cocktail that looks beautiful every time.

Variations

This cocktail is easy to adjust based on your preferences or the mood of your party. You can play with the fruit, the alcohol, or even the bubbles while keeping the drink festive and fun.

Non Alcoholic Mule: Use alcohol free vodka and ginger beer.
Spiced Holiday Mule: Add a splash of cinnamon syrup or gingerbread syrup.
Holiday Gin Mule: Swap vodka for gin for a botanical twist.
Pomegranate Mule: Replace cranberry juice with pomegranate juice.
Sparkling Mule: Add a splash of club soda for lighter bubbles.

These variations keep the holiday spirit while giving you new ways to enjoy the classic Mule profile.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Holiday Moscow Mule fits almost every winter celebration you can imagine. Its bright flavor makes it a great starter cocktail for parties, and its refreshing finish pairs nicely with many holiday foods. It is also perfect for casual gatherings, like decorating the tree or watching Christmas movies.

Serve it with:

Cheese boards with brie or goat cheese
Holiday appetizers like pigs in a blanket or stuffed mushrooms
Cranberry glazed chicken or turkey
Light desserts like fruit tarts or sugar cookies
Other holiday cocktails like Holiday Cheer Sangria, Christmas White Russian, or Peppermint Espresso Martini

Its versatility makes it an easy choice when entertaining.

Storage and Serving Notes

This drink is best served fresh because ginger beer loses its carbonation quickly. However, you can prep the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it. When guests arrive, simply pour the mixture over ice and top with ginger beer.

If you want to make a large batch, prepare the base mixture in a pitcher, then let guests top their drinks with ginger beer individually. This preserves the bubbles and keeps every serving fresh.

FAQs

Here are some common questions people ask about making Holiday Moscow Mules.

Do I have to use a copper mug?
No, but it keeps the drink cold and adds to the experience.

Is ginger ale the same as ginger beer?
No, ginger beer has a stronger, spicier flavor that tastes better in a Mule.

Can I make this sweeter?
Yes, add simple syrup or use a sweeter ginger beer.

Can I use flavored vodka?
Absolutely. Cranberry, orange, or vanilla vodka all work well.

Can this be made as a punch?
Yes, mix large quantities of vodka, cranberry, and lime, then add ginger beer just before serving.

More Cocktails to Try

If you enjoyed this festive and refreshing Holiday Moscow Mule, here are more Christmas cocktails to explore for your next gathering.

Holiday Cheer Sangria a fizzy, fruity punch perfect for holiday parties.
Winter Tequila Sunset a citrusy drink with a beautiful seasonal color.
Strawberry Basil Holiday Smash bright, fresh, and perfect for winter entertaining.
Cranberry Ginger Paloma Pitcher great for groups and full of seasonal flavor.
Christmas White Russian creamy, dessert like, and full of holiday warmth.