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A Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule is a festive cocktail that’s ideal for your next holiday gathering or dinner party! You will want to reach for this for all your fall and winter entertaining. It’s so easy to make and only requires 5 ingredients!
about this cranberry orange moscow mule
Today I am bringing you a holiday drink that you can sip on from now straight through winter!
If you know anything about me, you know that I love all things cranberry this time of year. I use them as often as possible because they can be used in ALL the recipes from cocktails to desserts to appetizers to main dishes.
As soon as I see fresh cranberries at the store, I am stocking up on them to freeze so I can use them all season. For some reason they tend to run out pretty quickly once the holidays are over, so I like to keep them around for all my winter cooking and mixology, well past the holidays!
This cranberry moscow mule has an infusion of orange to make this classic cocktail super festive. You can either enjoy this on a random weeknight, or serve it up for a dinner party or an even bigger gathering! I like to either make this in a big batch or simply set up a cocktail station for guests to make their own.
Looking for another flavorful mule cocktail? This pineapple moscow mule is tart and tangy! A fresh and fruity strawberry moscow mule is also a favorite.
ingredients
cranberry juice. Use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail for this recipe.
orange juice. You can use your favorite orange juice here, but I recommend going no pulp.
lime juice. Fresh lime juice is best here! However if you are making this for a crowd (instructions on this below under Tips for Success!), you can use store-bought to save yourself from squeezing a TON of limes.
vodka. I recommend choosing the best vodka that is in your price range! Since you are using this vodka in a cocktail, there’s no need for it to be the top end that you might use for a martini where vodka is the star of the show. I recommend Tito’s or Absolut (splurge for Absolut Elyx if you want to!).
ginger beer. ginger beer isn’t beer! It’s a non-alcoholic beverage with a very strong ginger flavor. The brands I like are on the spicier side, like fever-tree ginger beer. For less spice, there are other brands out like bundaberg ginger beer you can use.
this recipe’s must haves
To make this cocktail, you don’t need many tools! You’ll need a boston cocktail shaker to shake up the juices and vodka to start.
In addition to your moscow mule mugs (I love these floral moscow mule mugs that you see here), you’ll need a copper jigger, and a cocktail stirring spoon.
cocktail favorites
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here’s how to make a cranberry orange moscow mule
assemble
Fill two copper mugs with 1 cup of crushed ice each. Add juices and vodka to the glasses, dividing between the two glasses.
Top each mug with ginger beer. Garnish with fresh cranberries and an orange slice before serving.
tips for success
serve a crowd! Need a delicious cocktail for your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving gathering? This recipe is a wonderful option for a crowd! To make 8 servings, you will need 4 cups ginger beer, 2 cups cranberry juice, 1 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, and 2 cups vodka. Mix together everything except the ginger beer in a pitcher and place in the fridge until ready to serve. Top with ginger beer and serve over ice!
use copper mugs. Copper mugs are best to serve mules in because they keep the drink cold! The ice won’t melt down as quickly so the cocktail won’t become watered down.
More tasty moscow mule recipes to try out: Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule | Pear Moscow Mule | Bourbon Kentucky Mule | Festive Mule Bar Cart
do I have to use crushed ice?
Don’t have crushed ice? No problem! You can use regular cubes of ice, or whatever ice you prefer to use in your cocktails.
do I have to use vodka?
If you don’t have vodka (or don’t like it), you can swap in tequila. Tequila is tasty with both orange and cranberry, as well as the ginger!
Need some more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my booze recipes page!
what to serve with a cranberry orange moscow mule
For me, this cocktail is ideal for the holiday season, so I’m sharing some fun recipes to pair with this cocktail at your next gathering!
Thanksgiving Ideas
bite-sized baked bacon brie pockets
thanksgiving leftover stuffed egg rolls
roasted butternut squash soup with bacon croutons
Christmas Ideas
roasted cranberry goat cheese crostini
tear-apart sourdough holiday cheese dip
New Year’s Eve Ideas
chicken spinach artichoke dip puffs
Finally, if you make this cranberry orange moscow mule, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! Love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
cranberry orange moscow mule
ingredients
- 4 oz 100% cranberry juice
- 2 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 4 oz vodka
- 8 oz ginger beer
- crushed ice
- garnish: fresh or frozen cranberries orange wheels
instructions
- Fill two copper mugs with 1 cup crushed ice each.
- Add juices and vodka to the mugs, dividing evenly between the two. Stir to combine.
- Top each with 4 oz ginger beer.
- Garnish with cranberries and orange wheels.
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