Cranberry Moscow Mules: A Holiday Happy Hour Favorite

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Christmas and cocktails go hand in hand for my family and me, and it’s always a time of festive drinks and finger foods in between the reunions, the traditional meals, and the present opening.

We like to start the day with mimosas and gin fizzes, move on to a second round of gin fizzes after brunch, and preface dinner with a creative cocktail or two.

If it weren’t for my brother-in-law, a mixology aficionado, I probably wouldn’t stray too far from tried-and-true favorites in the drinks department… because honestly, every time I source the web for Christmas cocktails that feel special, they all seem a little too fancy for my liking.

I always land on recipes that call for exotic liqueurs or time-consuming infusions, all of which I’d maybe use once and never again. For me, the ideal holiday cocktail involves hard liquor we already stock, seasonal fresh fruit, and a little fizz.

That’s why I love these cranberry moscow mules! They’re simple enough to make but still look—and taste—like you put some effort into it.

Since a cocktail never goes unaccompanied in this house, I like to pair it with these herbed and spiced nuts that you might remember from my book, The New Camp Cookbook. (They are a much tastier option than the tired trail mix you pass around in camp!)

I also make a batch of sparkling sugared cranberries for a sweet and tart snacking option that looks beautiful on the table. A few of these floating in your cranberry moscow mules will seriously step up your Christmas cocktail game.

I put all of these out before dinner as an aperitif, and because it’s Christmas, I also get out the fancy linen cocktail napkins. Have to say, they make me feel very adult! I have plenty of linen dinner napkins but never owned linen cocktail napkins until Minted introduced me to their line.

They’re minimal and elegant, and come in dozens of beautiful designs (which seem to rotate regularly) that Minted’s artist community is known for. I’m thinking they’d also make great hostess gifts, as I’d love if someone brought a set to one of my parties. So chic and unexpected, and infinitely useful.

It’s crazy to think we’re nearing the end of another year already, and I feel like there are still so many things left unticked on my list.

Do you feel the same? It always seems like there’s a mad rush to get it all done in December so we can start the New Year fresh, but I’m trying to brush it off, relax the rest of the month, and enter the next year with renewed focus and energy.

I hope you have a moment to relax as well, take in the cheer of the season, and spend the holiday with someone (or doing something) you love. Sending warmest wishes from my family to yours!

Cranberry Moscow Mules

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Syrup (makes enough for 2 rounds of cocktails)

2 cups fresh cranberries
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar

For the Cocktails

8 ounces cranberry syrup
6 ounces vodka
2 limes, halved
1 (12 ounce) bottle ginger beer
Sugared cranberries, for garnishing

Instructions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, water, and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Cook, stirring frequently, until all the cranberries have burst, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain the syrup.

Fill 4 glasses with ice. In each glass, combine 2 ounces cranberry syrup, 1 1/2 ounces vodka, and the juice from 1/2 lime. Top off with ginger beer and serve immediately.

More cranberry recipes you might enjoy:

• Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider
• Homemade “Tin Can” Molded Cranberry Jelly
• Cranberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

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This post updated from an article that originally appeared on December 23, 2017.

View the Web Story on cranberry moscow mule recipe.