Cranberry Moscow Mule
This Cranberry Moscow Mule is a cold, fizzy cocktail with tart lime, sweet-tart cranberry, and a spicy ginger finish. It takes about five minutes to build over ice in a clear handled mug, where the rosy-red drink and bubbles stay visible. Cranberry juice cocktail provides the intended sweetness; chilled ginger beer goes in last to preserve the fizz. Whole cranberries and a lime wheel finish the glass.
Ingredients for One Cranberry Moscow Mule
- 2 fl oz unflavored vodka
- 2 fl oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 fl oz freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 tablespoon)
- About 4 fl oz chilled ginger beer, or enough to top the mug
- Ice, enough to fill the mug generously
- 4 to 6 fresh cranberries, for garnish
- 1 lime wheel, for garnish
How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Prepare the mug: Squeeze the lime juice and cut a separate lime wheel. Fill a 14- to 16-ounce clear handled glass mug generously with ice.
- Mix the base: Pour the vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and lime juice over the ice. Stir briefly until evenly combined.
- Add the ginger beer: Pour in the chilled ginger beer, leaving room for the cranberries. The amount that fits depends on the mug and ice. Stir once or twice, gently, to keep the drink fizzy.
- Garnish and serve: Float the cranberries on the surface, tuck the lime wheel onto the rim, and serve immediately.
Choosing Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice cocktail gives this drink its intended sweetness. Unsweetened 100% cranberry juice makes a noticeably tarter mule; if you use it, taste the finished drink and add a small splash of simple syrup if needed.
Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale?
Ginger beer gives the mule its spicy ginger bite. Ginger ale works if ginger beer is unavailable, but the drink will be sweeter and milder. Use either mixer chilled, add it last, and avoid vigorous stirring.
Make-Ahead and Serving
For several drinks, multiply the vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and lime juice by the number of servings and chill them together in a pitcher. Pour into individual ice-filled mugs, then top each with chilled ginger beer and add the garnishes just before serving. An assembled drink left over ice will dilute and lose fizz.
A clear handled mug shows the drink’s color and ice, but a sturdy rocks or highball glass also works. For a holiday dinner, serve the cocktail alongside Brown Sugar Glazed Ham.
Nutrition
Approximate per cocktail: 215 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 22g carbohydrates. Approximate per 100g of mixed liquid before ice melts: 85 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 9g carbohydrates. Values vary by cranberry juice cocktail and ginger beer; the per-100g estimate excludes ice and garnishes.
Equipment
- 14- to 16-ounce handled mug
- Knife
- Citrus juicer
Ingredients
- 2 fl oz unflavored vodka
- 2 fl oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 fl oz freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 tablespoon)
- About 4 fl oz chilled ginger beer, or enough to top the mug
- Ice, enough to fill the mug generously
- 4 to 6 fresh cranberries, for garnish
- 1 lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Squeeze the lime juice and cut a separate lime wheel.
- Fill a 14- to 16-ounce clear handled mug generously with ice.
- Pour the vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and lime juice over the ice. Stir briefly to combine.
- Add chilled ginger beer, leaving room for the cranberries, and stir gently once or twice.
- Float the cranberries on top, tuck the lime wheel onto the rim, and serve immediately.
Tips
- Use cranberry juice cocktail for the intended sweetness.
- Add chilled ginger beer last to help preserve the fizz.
- Stir gently after adding the ginger beer.
- Top up with ginger beer as needed, depending on the mug and amount of ice.
Variations
- Tarter Cranberry Mule: Use unsweetened 100% cranberry juice and add a small splash of simple syrup if needed.
- Ginger Ale Mule: Use chilled ginger ale instead of ginger beer for a sweeter, milder drink.