Easy Holiday Mule Cocktail That Steals Every Party (5 Minutes!)

Name: Holiday Mule Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 oz vodka (quality recommended); 3 oz cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail); 0.5 oz fresh lime juice (freshly squeezed); 0.5 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste); 4 oz ginger beer (not ginger ale); 1 cup ice cubes (for filling mug); 6-8 whole fresh cranberries (garnish); 1 sprig rosemary (garnish); 1 slice lime wheel (garnish)

My sister in law served these holiday mule cocktails at Thanksgiving last year in those gorgeous copper mugs with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs, and I watched grown adults literally take photos of their drinks before even tasting them because they looked so stunning.

A festive Holiday Mule Cocktail made with cranberry juice, vodka, lime, and ginger beer for the perfect Christmas drink. Beautifully garnished with cranberries and rosemary for stunning holiday presentation.

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Holiday mule cocktail in a copper mug with cranberries, rosemary, lime, and crushed ice.

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What is Holiday Mule Cocktail
How to Make Holiday Mule Cocktail
What Pairs Well With Holiday Mule Cocktail?
Holiday Mule Cocktail Variations
Equipment You'll Need
Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh
Top Tips for Easy Holiday Mule Cocktail
Holiday Mule Cocktail FAQs
Your New Holiday Party Staple
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Holiday Mule Cocktail

What is Holiday Mule Cocktail

A holiday mule cocktail is a festive variation of the classic Moscow mule that replaces plain lime juice with cranberry juice and adds seasonal garnishes like fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and lime wheels for Christmas appeal. Unlike regular Moscow mules that showcase vodka and ginger beer primarily, this version introduces tart cranberry flavor that balances the spicy ginger while creating that gorgeous ruby red color perfect for holiday celebrations. The result is a refreshing yet warming cocktail that tastes familiar but feels special enough for festive gatherings from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve.

How to Make Holiday Mule Cocktail

What Makes Our Version Special

Our holiday mule cocktail recipe uses the ideal ratio of cranberry juice to ginger beer that creates balanced sweetness without being cloying or too tart. The secret is using 100% cranberry juice rather than cranberry juice cocktail for authentic tart flavor that stands up to the spicy ginger beer, then adding just enough simple syrup to round out the edges without making it taste like candy. This method ensures a sophisticated cocktail that adults appreciate while still being festive and approachable for everyone at your holiday party.

Holiday Mule Cocktail Ingredients

For Each Cocktail:

2 oz vodka (quality matters here)
3 oz cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
4 oz ginger beer (not ginger ale)
Ice cubes
Fresh cranberries for garnish
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Lime wheel for garnish

For Batch Version (Serves 8):

16 oz vodka (2 cups)
24 oz cranberry juice (3 cups)
4 oz fresh lime juice (½ cup)
4 oz simple syrup (½ cup)
32 oz ginger beer (4 cups), added just before serving
Ice and garnishes

Ingredients for a holiday mule cocktail including cranberries, lime, rosemary, ginger beer, and ice.

Step by Step Method

Build the Cranberry Vodka Base

Fill copper mug or highball glass with ice cubes to the rim for maximum chill
Pour vodka over ice followed by cranberry juice for beautiful layering effect
Add fresh lime juice and simple syrup to balance tart and sweet flavors
The cold mug creates that gorgeous frosty exterior that photographs beautifully

Add the Spicy Ginger Beer

Top with ginger beer, pouring slowly to preserve carbonation and create gentle fizz
Don't stir too vigorously or you'll lose the bubbles that make mules special
The ginger beer should create natural mixing as it settles through the drink
Quality ginger beer with real ginger makes all the difference in authentic spicy kick

Create the Stunning Garnish

Thread fresh cranberries onto cocktail pick or drop them directly into drink
Add fresh rosemary sprig by gently slapping it between your hands first to release aromatic oils
Place lime wheel on rim of copper mug for classic mule presentation
The red cranberries, green rosemary, and copper mug create perfect Christmas color scheme

Serve in Proper Copper Mugs

Use traditional copper Moscow mule mugs if you have them for authentic experience
The copper keeps drinks extra cold and creates impressive frosty exterior
If no copper mugs available, use any tall glass but the presentation won't be quite as stunning
Serve immediately while ginger beer is at peak fizzy perfection

What Pairs Well With Holiday Mule Cocktail?

These festive holiday mule cocktails pair beautifully with appetizers like cheese boards, charcuterie platters, or smoked salmon for elegant holiday party spreads. Try them alongside spiced nuts, cranberry brie bites, or bacon wrapped dates that complement the cranberry and ginger flavors. For dinner pairings, serve with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib for traditional Christmas and Thanksgiving meal combinations.

Holiday Mule Cocktail Variations

Christmas Mule Mocktail

Replace vodka with equal parts cranberry juice and sparkling water for non alcoholic version
Add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to mimic warmth of alcohol
Use same garnishes and copper mugs for identical festive presentation
All the holiday flavor and gorgeous looks without any spirits

Apple Cranberry Holiday Mule

Replace half the cranberry juice with fresh pressed apple cider for fall twist
Add cinnamon stick as additional garnish for warm spice aroma
Creates autumn flavored mule perfect for Thanksgiving entertaining
The apple and cranberry combination tastes like harvest season in a glass

Pomegranate Holiday Mule

Use pomegranate juice instead of cranberry for deeper ruby color and different tart flavor
Add pomegranate arils as garnish instead of cranberries for jewel like appearance
Slightly sweeter than cranberry version with more complex fruit notes
Stunning visual appeal that photographs even more dramatically

Gin Holiday Mule

Swap vodka for gin to create more botanical, herbaceous flavor profile
The juniper in gin complements rosemary garnish beautifully for cohesive taste
Use less simple syrup since gin brings its own sweetness
Perfect for guests who prefer gin based cocktails over vodka

Equipment You'll Need

Copper Moscow mule mugs (or tall glasses)
Jigger for accurate measuring
Bar spoon for gentle stirring
Cocktail picks for cranberry garnishes
Citrus juicer for fresh lime juice

Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh

Best Fresh

Serve immediately after adding ginger beer for maximum carbonation and fizz
Fresh holiday mules have the best balance of flavors and most appealing bubbles
The frosty copper mug looks most impressive when drink is freshly made

Make Ahead Strategy

Combine vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in pitcher up to 4 hours ahead
Keep refrigerated until party time, then add ginger beer and ice just before serving
Pre-chill copper mugs in freezer so assembly takes only seconds when guests arrive
Prepare garnishes in advance and store cranberries and rosemary in separate containers

Batch Serving Tips

For large parties, create DIY mule bar with pre-mixed vodka cranberry base in dispenser
Set out ginger beer bottles, ice bucket, copper mugs, and garnish station
Let guests build their own mules for interactive entertaining that reduces your work
Keep backup ginger beer chilled so you don't run out during peak party time

Top Tips for Easy Holiday Mule Cocktail

Last Christmas, I watched my neighbor dump ginger ale into her holiday mules instead of ginger beer and everyone kept asking why the drinks tasted flat and boring. Ginger beer has real ginger and spice that creates that signature mule kick, while ginger ale is just sweet soda that makes weak disappointing cocktails. Always use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry cocktail because the authentic tart flavor balances the sweet ginger beer without making everything taste like sugary juice. Copper mugs aren't just for looks, they actually keep drinks colder longer and that frosty exterior creates impressive presentation that regular glasses cannot match.

Holiday Mule Cocktail FAQs

What's in a Christmas mule?

A Christmas mule contains vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, ginger beer, and holiday garnishes like fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs. It's a festive twist on the classic Moscow mule that adds seasonal cranberry flavor and beautiful red color.

What is a Yule Mule?

A Yule Mule is another name for a Christmas or holiday mule cocktail, featuring cranberry juice and festive garnishes. The name plays on "yule" (Christmas season) combined with the classic mule cocktail format.

What is a Moscow Mule called for Christmas?

A Moscow Mule served during Christmas is typically called a Holiday Mule, Christmas Mule, or Yule Mule. These festive versions add cranberry juice and seasonal garnishes to the traditional vodka, lime, and ginger beer combination.

What are the three types of mules?

The three main types of mules are Moscow Mule (vodka), Kentucky Mule (bourbon), and Mexican Mule (tequila). Each uses the same base of lime juice and ginger beer but swaps the spirit for different flavor profiles.

Your New Holiday Party Staple

Now you have the secrets to creating these stunning holiday mule cocktails that transform simple ingredients into the most photographed drinks at every festive gathering. This recipe proves that impressive holiday cocktails don't require fancy techniques or expensive ingredients, just smart flavor combinations and beautiful presentation.

Ready for more festive holiday drinks? Try our Cranberry Mimosa for bubbly brunch elegance, or explore our Apple Cider Moscow Mule for autumn spiced variations. For creamy dessert cocktails, our Peppermint White Russian uses similar holiday flavors with indulgent chocolate results.

Share your beautiful creations! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #HolidayMuleCocktail; we're dying to see your copper mugs with festive garnishes and hear about your holiday party success!

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