Happy Thanksgiving! Time for a cocktail!
As with nearly everything hip, I arrived at the Moscow Mule party more than fashionably late this summer. No matter. I arrived and that is all that is important! I immediately planted some mint, bought my husband a set of mugs (and a cute little mug for the shot of vodka!) for Father's Day, and started serving these magical concoctions up to any and all adult guests who walked through my door. I even took the mugs along with all the supplies for the drinks for girls' weekend with four of my dearest friends from college where we celebrated our 40th birthdays. The mugs were also perfect for thanking my sweet friend Angela for painting my bathroom one evening! I love passing along the joy of a Moscow Mule now. In addition to tasting great, they are so simple to mix up making them the most perfect cocktails I have ever served.
I am not a huge fan of ginger beer, which is the traditional ingredient in Moscow Mules, so I mainly use ginger ale and top of the mug with ginger beer. Cock and Bull is my very favorite ginger beer and is easy to find in grocery stores. We have also tried several different craft ginger beers and have enjoyed those, too. Be sure to use non-alcholic ginger beer for the cocktails. You can also just use ginger ale and skip topping it off with the ginger beer if it seems easier.
Recent colder temperatures wreaked havoc on my mint plant as did my inability to remember to ever water it, so I sadly put our beautiful mugs away for the season. Luckily for me, my husband came home with some Canada Dry cranberry ginger ale and I was struck with inspiration to mix up a holiday version of my favorite new drink.
These are so easy to make and I know you are going to love serving them during the holidays! Grab a bottle of Cranberry Vodka (preferably Deep Eddy), some cranberry ginger ale, a lime, and a mug, and start mixing!
While the copper mugs really do add to the magic of the cocktail, I have also served these up in mason jars, so don't let a lack of mugs stop you from trying these!
Cranberry Mule (click for printable version)
ice
juice of one lime wedge
1 t. Rosie's sweetened lime juice (optional)
1 1/2 oz. cranberry vodka (or plain vodka)
cranberry ginger ale
non-alcoholic ginger beer (Cock and Bull is preferable)
cranberries
Fill a copper mug or glass with ice. Squeeze one lime wedge over the ice and add sweetened lime juice if you are using it. Pour vodka over the ice. Fill most of the rest of the mug with cranberry ginger ale and top with ginger beer if you choose to use it. Stir. Garnish with a toothpick skewer of cranberries.
