Christmas Moscow Mule

This festive Christmas Moscow mule has all the flavors of the traditional drink, rosemary simple syrup, cranberry, and sugar coated garnishes! This pretty holiday cocktail is so easy and will be the perfect addition to your winter drink rotation.

If you love a Moscow mule, then we think you will be obsessed with this holiday version! It's super easy, but our recipe also includes an option to make some homemade sugared garnishes to make it extra festive and fun. This cocktail would obviously be perfect for Christmas, but if you're entertaining any time this winter it would also be such a pretty addition to your spread.

Whether you're gift wrapping, having a holiday party, or just looking for a fun beverage to enjoy on the couch next to your Christmas tree, this is the one for you! A festive drink is such a fun way to add a little something special to the holiday season at home. This homemade drink is super simple and sure to bring some extra holiday cheer!

If you're looking for another recipe perfect for entertaining, we think you'll love our Garlic Butter Chicken Wings, or if you're looking for another winter drink, be sure to check out our Blueberry Mocktail.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love this Holiday Cocktail
• Ingredients for the Sugar Coated Garnishes and Rosemary Simple Syrup
• Ingredients for the Cocktail
• Step by Step Instructions for the Sugar Coated Garnishes and Rosemary Simple Syrup
• Step by Step Instructions for the Cocktail
• Tips for Making this Christmas Moscow Mule
• FAQs
• Storing and Freezing
• 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love this Holiday Cocktail

• It tastes like a twist on the traditional cocktail! If you like a classic Moscow mule then this holiday version will be such a great addition to your winter cocktail list!
• It has the prettiest sugar coated garnishes. Our recipe card below includes easy instructions for making super pretty and easy frosted cocktail garnishes.
• It's a great drink for a group. Because it's so quick to make once the garnishes and simple syrup are ready, this would be the perfect cocktail to serve at a party!

Ingredients for the Sugar Coated Garnishes and Rosemary Simple Syrup

The garnishes and simple syrup only require a few ingredients and add so much to this Christmas drink.

• Water - For the base of the simple syrup.
• Sugar - Granulated sugar is perfect for the simple syrup and for rolling the fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
• Cranberries - Fresh cranberries are the prettiest garnish, but if you can't find them then they can definitely be left out.
• Rosemary - Used for both the simple syrup and as an extra garnish.

See recipe card below for quantities.

Ingredients for the Cocktail

• Vodka - Any vodka works great so use whichever kind is your favorite.
• Rosemary simple syrup - Adds such a tasty subtle holiday flavor to this cocktail!
• Cranberry juice - Adds a holiday flavor that pairs well with the sugar coated cranberries.
• Lime juice - Try and use freshly squeezed lime juice if you can.
• Ginger beer - Adds the best fizz and flavor to this cocktail! I definitely recommend topping the drinks off when ready to serve so that they are peak fizzy.
• Sugar coated cranberries and rosemary - The prettiest garnishes! You could also just do regular cranberries and fresh rosemary if you don't have time to make them sugar-coated.

Step by Step Instructions for the Sugar Coated Garnishes and Rosemary Simple Syrup

The garnishes and simple syrup are a tiny bit time-consuming but I find that they add the prettiest touch and some extra flavor to this otherwise quick drink.

Step 1: Start making the sugar coated garnishes. Start by making the sugar coated cranberries and rosemary (if desired). In a small saucepan, add water and ½ cup sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is just melted and bubbling. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Drop cranberries and sprigs of rosemary into simple syrup the remove with a slotted spoon, spreading them out on a wire rack for about 25-30 minutes. Reserve leftover simple syrup.

Step 2: Make rosemary simple syrup. While cranberries and rosemary sprigs are drying, add 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary to saucepan with simple syrup, return to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Remove rosemary and set rosemary simple syrup aside.

Step 3: Finish sugar coated garnishes. Add remaining ⅓ cup sugar to a shallow plate, and gently roll each cranberry and drag each rosemary sprig through the sugar until they're coated.

Step by Step Instructions for the Cocktail

Once the garnishes and simple syrup are prepped this cocktail is very quick to make.

Step 1: Prepare the cocktails. Add vodka, rosemary simple syrup, cranberry juice, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into copper mugs filled with ice. Top with ginger beer.

Step 2: Garnish the cocktails. Garnish with additional cranberries and sugar coated garnishes.

Tips for Making this Christmas Moscow Mule

• If you're making the sugar-coated garnishes, make sure to let them dry for 25-30 minutes before coating them in sugar. If you roll them in sugar right after removing them from the simple syrup then the sugar will dissolve and they won't have that frosted look.
• I recommend measuring the ingredients for this drink as the ratio ensures the cocktail has the best flavors!
• I definitely recommend using ginger beer as it gives it that classic Moscow mule taste.

FAQs

Storing and Freezing

The sugar coated garnishes and rosemary simple syrup can definitely be made ahead of time. Store the sugar coated garnishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days and the simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Once ready to serve the cocktails, continue with the remaining steps.

I don't recommend freezing any components of this Moscow mule recipe.

If you make this recipe we would absolutely love if you left a star review and/or comment! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.

📖 Recipe