Holiday Cranberry Mule Cocktail Recipe
Sarah Gibson is the creator of the blog RoomForTuesday. She provides inspiration and original content related to interiors & styling, renovating, DIY, and home improvement projects! Her and her husband, Emmett, are currently renovating their second house in Salt Lake City, Utah, so expect to see more from her on our blog soon! You can also follow her on Instagram at @RoomForTuesday.
I’m gearing up for the weekend, a quick trip to NYC, and then when I return home to Salt Lake City, my family will be here to celebrate an early Christmas. Nothing like hitting the ground running, ha! If you’re looking for a festive cocktail to share with friends or family this season (or just to ease the hustle & bustle of the holiday), this holiday mule is a must try! It’s one of my favorite Christmas cocktails and it looks just as festive as it tastes. Click through for my favorite solid copper barware…
Holiday Mule // makes 2 servings
4 ounces vodka
8 ounces ginger beer (I use Crabbies)
4 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
2 cups cranberries
2 cups water
ground cinnamon (for sprinkling)
Garnish: cranberries, rosemary, lime slices, and a cinnamon stick.
I’ll also note- part of the appeal of this cocktail is the heavy, copper mug that stays super cold while you’re sipping the drink. I also think copper and Christmas go hand-in-hand for a super festive look / presentation. If you don’t already have mule mugs, I’m here to tell you… buying a nice set is a worthy investment that you’ll have for years to come; they also make great gifts. I have the matching copper shot glasses, in case anyone would like to be topped off, and they’ve already come in handy a time or two.
Place the cranberries and water in a saucepan over medium high heat until they’re boiling and the cranberries begin to burst or crack. Remove from heat and with a fork, smash the berries. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 3 – 4 minutes longer until thickened and transformed into a glaze. Allow the cranberry sauce to cool and begin mixing the cocktails.
In a chilled moscow mule mug, combine ice, vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer, along with a couple spoonfuls of the cranberry glaze. Give it a good stir, add more ice if desired, and garnish the festive beverage with a sprig of rosemary, sliced lime, a sprinkle of cinnamon, whole cranberries, and a whole cinnamon stick.
The cinnamon really helps to bring out the berry flavor and tastes so delightfully seasonal!
The smashed cranberries give the cocktail a nice color and sweeten the mule just enough. It really has a nice flavor profile and doesn’t scream alcohol.
This is actually my youngest brother’s favorite drink, so I’ll definitely be making a few for him once he arrives for the holiday next week. He’s newly 21 and already has great taste in cocktails… if only I was that smart way back when. Ha! Cheers to the holiday!