Christmas Mule – A Couple Cooks

This Christmas Moscow mule cocktail is perfect for entertaining! It takes just minutes to pour it together in a mug.

Need a Christmas cocktail that’s quick and easy? Try the Christmas Moscow mule! This spin on the classic Moscow mule is a zingy, festive combination of cranberry juice, vodka, peppermint schnaps and ginger beer. It’s so simple you can build it right in the glass, no cocktail shakers required! Say hello to your new favorite holiday drink.

Ingredients in a Christmas Moscow mule

The classic Moscow Mule is one of the most popular cocktails of all time, invented in the 1940’s. This combination of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer is always served in a copper mug. The Christmas spin on the classic has cranberry juice for a seasonal flavor and color, and peppermint for holiday flair. Though they’re an unexpected combination, the mint, berry and ginger all work incredibly well together! The ingredients you’ll need for a Christmas Moscow mule are:

• Vodka
• Peppermint schnapps
• 100% all natural cranberry juice (no sugar added)
• Ginger beer
• Simple syrup

Cranberry juice cocktail vs 100% cranberry juice

For cranberry cocktail recipes we prefer using 100% all natural cranberry juice instead of sweetened juice. This makes a pure, super tart berry flavor that you can then sweeten to taste. It also makes a brilliant red color (which is hard to see in a mule in a mug, but it’s there!). Here’s what to know about the difference between the two products:

• 100% all natural cranberry juice is all juice: it’s not sweetened like bottles labeled “cranberry juice” or “cranberry juice cocktail.” This gives it a pure, tart flavor and a dark red color. It’s preferable because then you can add sweetness to the drink to taste, while amping up the berry flavor.
• Cranberry juice is typically sweetened, especially if it’s labeled as cranberry juice cocktail. It’s lighter in color and still tastes good, but the flavor isn’t as pure. Try to find 100% juice if at all possible.

How to make a Christmas mule (basic steps)

The Moscow mule is one of the easiest drinks for entertaining because you can build the drink right in the glass. There’s no need to dirty a cocktail shaker or a strainer: just pour each ingredient right in! Here’s how to make a Christmas mule:

1. Pour 1 ounce each vodka, cranberry juice, and peppermint schnapps, into a copper mug or serving glass of your choice. Add ½ tablespoon
2. Top with 4 ounces ginger beer.
3. Add ice and serve. If desired, garnish with a rosemary sprig and a peppermint stick.

Use copper mugs, or any type of mug

Traditionally, a Moscow Mule is always served in a copper mug. Placing the cold drink in a copper mug makes an ice cold rim, which makes the drink taste even colder. It’s so satisfying! Of course, you can use any type of mug for a Christmas mule.

Copper mugs make great gifts, so it’s a fun gift idea for the cocktail lover in your life. Here’s a link to some solid copper mugs on Amazon.

Garnishes for a Christmas mule

This Christmas Moscow mule is at its finest with a fun garnish or two! Here are a few ways to garnish this drink for best presentation:

• Rosemary sprigs
• Peppermint stick
• Fresh cranberries
• Cinnamon stick

More Christmas cocktails

Looking for more fun drinks for the season? Here are a few ideas for Christmas cocktails: