Christmas Mule Recipe | Festive, Refreshing Holiday Cocktail

When I first mixed up this Christmas Mule, I was blown away by how the tart cranberry and zippy ginger beer made the flavor pop. I had friends over, and seeing them light up at that first sip made me so proud I’d tried something new.

The festive red hue and garnish of rosemary and cranberries just felt perfect for holiday cheer—much like the Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe that always brightens my dessert table.

I’ve tweaked it now so that you can make it smoothly, even if you’re new to mixology. Let’s make something merry together.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need. Each measurement is tuned for balance, and I’ve added a tip so your mule turns out great.

3 oz vodka — I prefer a smooth, good-quality vodka so the flavors don’t feel harsh.
1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice (about ½ lime) — fresh is essential; bottled juice tends to taste flat.
4 oz unsweetened cranberry juice — keeps sweetness under control and lets ginger do its magic.
6 oz ginger beer — use a spicy, non-alcoholic brand. Too mild and you’ll lose the ginger kick.
1 lime wedge — for garnish and extra squeeze.
Fresh cranberries (a few) — adds holiday color and a gentle tart bite.
Rosemary sprig — aromatic and festive; also smells wonderful under your nose as you sip.
Ice (lots) — this drink benefits from plenty of ice to stay chilled without diluting too quickly.

Note: serves about 1 cocktail (or scale up for more)

Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are some fun twists:

Non-alcoholic / mocktail version: omit vodka, substitute with a zero-proof spirit or add more cranberry + lime.
Sugar-free version: use a diet or zero-sugar ginger beer and unsweetened cranberry, no added syrup.
Cranberry vodka twist: use cranberry-infused vodka in place of plain vodka for extra fruitiness.
Herb or citrus add-ins: muddle in a little fresh rosemary, thyme, or orange peel for complexity.
Spicy kick: add a thin slice of fresh ginger or a dash of ginger syrup if you want more heat.

You can also enjoy something sweet alongside, like the Chewy Christmas Toffee Recipe — it pairs perfectly with this festive drink.

Cooking Time

Here’s how long everything takes:

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Mix / Assembly Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes

Equipment You Need

Copper mug (or any sturdy glass) — copper helps keep the drink icy cold.
Cocktail shaker (or mixing glass) — to combine the juice, vodka, and cranberry.
Jigger or measuring tool — for accurate pours.
Citrus juicer — helps you extract fresh lime juice without seeds.
Stirrer or bar spoon — to gently mix without over-diluting.

How to Make Christmas Mule (Recipe Name)

Prepare and chill your glass

I like to put my copper mug in the freezer for a few minutes while I prep. Chill helps maintain the fizz and keeps everything crisp.

Combine the main ingredients

In your shaker or mixing glass, pour vodka, fresh lime juice, and cranberry juice over ice. Give a gentle toss or stir just enough to mix.

Pour, top, and garnish

Fill your chilled mug with ice if needed. Strain in your mixture, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with the lime wedge, fresh cranberries, and a rosemary sprig before serving.

Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better

From my experience after mixing this often, these helped me:

Use very cold ingredients and keep everything chilled so the drink doesn’t dilute too fast.
Wait to pour the ginger beer last — it retains more fizz and brightness that way.
Gently press the rosemary sprig before placing it in the drink; it releases more aroma.
If your ginger beer is weak, add a splash of ginger syrup or fresh ginger juice to lift it.
Taste before serving — adjust lime or cranberry slightly if you prefer more tang or sweetness.

How to Serve Christmas Mule

Serve this cocktail in a frosty copper mug (or clear glass if you don’t have one). Place a few whole cranberries on top for that pop of red, and rest the rosemary sprig alongside the lime wedge.

You can also string a mini rosemary sprig through a few cranberries on a toothpick for a little festive skewer. Serve it on a tray with extra ice, napkins, and perhaps a sugar-rimmed mug (dip rim in lime then sugar) for extra flair.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a rough estimate per serving:

Calories: ~200 kcal
Protein: ~0 g
Carbohydrates: ~17–20 g
Fat: ~0 g

Make Ahead and Storage

Storage (short term):
You can mix the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice ahead of time and keep that base refrigerated for up to a day. Add the ginger beer and ice just before serving so it stays fizzy.

Freezing / long-term:
Because ginger beer is carbonated, it doesn’t freeze well. I don’t recommend freezing the drink itself — the fizz and texture suffer.

Reheating / restoring:
You generally don’t reheat a cocktail — just refresh it with cold ice and top with fresh ginger beer if needed. It’s best enjoyed cold and fresh once assembled.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons this festive mule will win you over:

It’s fast and simple — you can whip it up in under ten minutes.
It feels festive and beautiful — the red and green garnishes bring holiday vibes.
You can customize that flavor — more tart, more sweet, more spice — your call.
It adapts to alcohol-free or diet preferences with easy swaps.
It balances bright, spicy, and herbal flavors — cranberry, lime, ginger, rosemary — working together.

Ash Tyrrell