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How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule – a Drink with a Kick AND a Twist!

How to Make a Cranberry Moscow Mule – a Drink with a Kick AND a Twist!

Did you know that the original Moscow Mule cocktail was created because of a surplus of copper mugs?

In 1941, three people came together, each with their own mission.

Sophie Berezinski was a woman who owned thousands of copper mugs.

Jack Morgan was the owner of a pub called Cock ‘n’ Bull. John Martin had just purchased the floundering Smirnoff company.

Each of them had a product and no market interest.

What did they do?

They put their heads together and created a drink that would feature vodka as the main ingredient, could be served in copper mugs and would be sold in the Cock ‘n’ Bull pub.

Thus, the Moscow Mule was born!

This delicious and punchy cocktail became a huge hit, and it eventually became a mainstay in cocktail menus across the USA.

Here at CookingChew, we want to bring you those same delicious flavors, but with a holiday twist!

Adding a splash of cranberry juice gives this drink a tangy flavor that works so well with the fizzy ginger beer and the spicy vodka.

What is a Moscow mule?

The classic Moscow mule recipe is simple: vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer.

Interestingly, the name “Moscow” comes from the copper company owned by Sophie Berezinski. It was called Moscow Copper Co., and it was originally based in Russia.

However, the mugs are not popular in Russia, thus prompting Sophie to bring them to the USA and find a new market.

Can you use ginger ale in Moscow mule?

Yes, you can use ginger ale in a Moscow mule. Ginger ale has a similar ginger taste and fizz compared to ginger beer, although it does not contain any alcohol and some ginger ales are not made with real ginger.

Also, you should note that ginger ale is usually much sweeter compared to ginger beer, so you can end up with a sweeter, milder, and less alcoholic drink if you use ginger ale.

What is a good substitute for ginger beer?

If you want the spicy taste of ginger without the strong, peppery notes of the beer, you can substitute ginger-spiced simple syrup for ginger beer in your recipe.

What kind of ginger beer do you use in a Moscow mule?

While you can use any ginger beer for a Moscow mule, the best kind of ginger beer is dark, fizzy, and has a strong ginger taste so that it holds up well against the other flavors in this cranberry vodka drink.

Our personal favorite is Bundaberg ginger beer. This Australian brand has a distinct stout bottle topped with a bold yellow pull tab. The beer is fermented with real ginger and cane sugar, resulting in the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

If you want something that’s slightly less sweet, go for Fever-Tree ginger beer. It’s warm and spicy, and thanks to the carbonated spring water, very refreshing!

Our CookingChew Cooking Tip:

Tradition matters

If you want to serve your Moscow mule in the traditional manner, make sure to serve it in a copper mug . Copper is an excellent conductor of temperature, so a chilled drink like a Moscow mule will seem colder when drunk out of a copper mug. What’s more, they look so darned pretty!

However, keep in mind that if you’re shopping for copper mugs, look for food-safe versions. Stay away from mugs] that have copper inside the mugs without any protective layer.

Copper an easily be leached when you drink acidic beverages, and you don’t want to drink copper!

Cranberry Moscow Mule

Moscow mules are a bar favorite due to their simplicity and yumminess, but if you want to serve them at home, why not try giving it a festive twist?

This delicious recipe features all the classic flavors of a Moscow mule with the added cheer of a splash of cranberry juice!

Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe

Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This delicious recipe features all the classic flavors of a Moscow mule with the added cheer of a splash of cranberry juice!

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. premium vodka

premium vodka

  • 1 oz. 100% cranberry juice

cranberry juice

  • 1 T. fresh lime juice

lime juice

  • 8 oz. ginger beer

ginger beer

  • Garnish: (optional)
  • fresh rosemary sprigs, bottom leaves removed, approximately 2-3” long

rosemary sprigs

  • fresh cranberries

cranberries

  • fresh lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Create cranberry garnish by threading 3 pieces of fresh cranberries on rosemary stem.
  2. Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
  3. Shake well and pour into ice-filled copper mugs.
  4. Top off mug with ginger beer and stir to combine.
  5. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

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Want Something Festive but a Bit More Mellow?

If you love the flavors of cranberry in a cocktail but you’re looking for something a bit more mellow, try our delicious cranberry margaritas!

These delicious cranberry Moscow mules bring together the best of two worlds: you get the delicious flavors of summer with the ginger beer and lime, and the festive cheer of cranberries!
Who wouldn’t love it?

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