Do Share Recipe

Cranberry Mule / Christmas Mule Recipe | Festive Holiday Drink

I recently made this Cranberry Mule / Christmas Mule recipe at home, and let me tell you—it instantly became my favorite holiday drink! The combination of tart cranberry, zesty lime, and spicy ginger beer creates the perfect festive cocktail that tastes like Christmas in a glass. The colors alone—deep red cranberries with a green rosemary sprig—set the holiday mood.

I loved how refreshing, easy, and fun it was to make, and I can’t wait to share exactly how you can make it too! If you enjoy holiday drinks like this, you might also love the refreshing Blue Mojito for a cool twist on classic flavors.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for one serving of this refreshing and festive Christmas Mule:

2 oz vodka – The base of the cocktail. Choose a smooth vodka that doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
2 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened or cocktail style) – Adds that gorgeous ruby-red color and a festive tartness.
½ oz fresh lime juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice gives a bright citrus kick that balances the sweetness.
4 oz ginger beer – Brings the signature mule fizz and a spicy warmth that pairs beautifully with cranberry.
Ice (crushed or cubed) – Keeps the drink perfectly chilled and crisp.
Garnish: 5–8 frozen cranberries (or fresh) + 1 lime wedge + 1 rosemary sprig – Adds a festive, aromatic touch and beautiful presentation.

Note: The above ingredient quantities make one serving. Adjust the amounts based on how many drinks you plan to serve.

Variations

This cocktail is wonderfully versatile! Here are a few easy twists you can try:

Mocktail version: Skip the vodka and use only cranberry juice, lime, and ginger beer. It’s still delicious and family-friendly.
Pomegranate twist: Replace cranberry juice with pomegranate juice and garnish with pomegranate seeds for a deeper flavor.
Sugar-free option: Use unsweetened cranberry juice and a low-sugar ginger beer to cut down on sweetness.
Extra festive flair: Add a splash of orange juice or a cinnamon stick to make it even more seasonal.
Herbal infusion: Muddle mint or rosemary before adding other ingredients for an aromatic twist.

You can also enjoy tropical versions like the fruity Watermelon Mojito for a vibrant summer-inspired drink.

Cooking Time

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes (no actual cooking required)
Total Time: 5 minutes

Equipment You Need

Cocktail shaker or glass: For mixing the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime together.
Copper mug: Keeps your drink colder for longer and gives that classic mule look.
Jigger or measuring tool: Ensures your proportions stay balanced.
Stirrer or spoon: Helps combine the ingredients gently without losing carbonation.
Citrus juicer (optional): Makes squeezing fresh lime juice quick and easy.

How to Make Christmas Mule Recipe

Let’s make this festive drink together—it’s quick, easy, and perfect for any holiday gathering!

Step 1: Prepare your mug and ice

Start by filling a chilled copper mug or glass about three-quarters full with ice. The colder the mug, the better—it keeps your drink crisp and refreshing.

Step 2: Mix the base ingredients

Pour in the vodka and cranberry juice, followed by the freshly squeezed lime juice. Stir gently to blend the flavors evenly.

Step 3: Add ginger beer and garnish

Top off your mug with ginger beer. Give it a slow stir to combine—don’t overmix or you’ll lose the bubbles. Garnish with a handful of cranberries, a lime wedge, and a sprig of rosemary. The aroma of rosemary makes the drink feel extra festive!

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

After making this drink a few times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make it even more amazing:

Always use fresh lime juice—it makes a world of difference in taste.
Chill the ginger beer before using it so your drink stays fizzier longer.
Use frozen cranberries instead of fresh—they keep the drink cold and look beautiful floating in the glass.
Choose a strong ginger beer with a nice bite—it balances the sweetness of cranberry juice perfectly.
When serving a crowd, mix the base (vodka, cranberry, lime) ahead of time in a pitcher, then add the ginger beer right before serving to keep it fizzy.

How to Serve Christmas Mule Recipe?

Presentation is everything, especially during the holidays! Serve your Christmas Mule in a classic copper mug filled with ice. The copper keeps the drink frosty and adds that traditional mule charm. Drop in a few frozen cranberries—they’ll float and sparkle against the copper.

Add a sprig of rosemary or mint upright in the mug for a festive touch. A lime wedge on the rim adds color and gives guests the option to adjust the tartness. Serve with a striped straw or a small stir stick for a complete, Instagram-worthy holiday drink.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving:

Calories: Around 230 kcal
Protein: 0–1 g
Carbohydrates: 23 g (mostly from juice and ginger beer)
Fat: 0 g

These values may vary depending on the brand of ingredients used.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing

This drink tastes best fresh, but if you need to make it ahead, you can mix the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice together and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Add ginger beer and garnish right before serving to maintain the fizz.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this cocktail, as carbonation and ice can affect texture and flavor once thawed.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat—just stir the chilled mixture gently before serving and add fresh ice and ginger beer for a crisp finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons this Christmas Mule deserves a spot in your holiday lineup!

It’s incredibly quick to make: In just five minutes, you have a bar-quality cocktail ready to impress guests.
Festive and beautiful: The red and green colors make it look like it came straight out of a Christmas photo shoot.
Perfectly balanced flavor: Tart cranberry, zesty lime, and spicy ginger beer blend perfectly together.
Easy to customize: Make it alcohol-free, sugar-free, or give it a creative twist with herbs or fruit.
Always a crowd-pleaser: It’s refreshing, light, and fun—ideal for both cocktail lovers and casual drinkers.

A Christmas Mule (or Cranberry Mule) is one of those drinks that feels like holiday magic in a mug—bright, fizzy, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re hosting a party, cozying up by the fire, or just need a festive pick-me-up, this easy cocktail brings the spirit of the season to every sip.

Ben Carraoli