cranberry moscow mule recipe.
oh boy. that last post was a doozy, wasn't it? i hope it resonated with some of you, because it needed to be written. but now, it's time to get back to our regularly scheduled shenanigans. oh yes, i'm talking about cocktails.
i've been thinking about this recipe for weeks now. ever since i saw this trader joe's ginger beer, i just knew it was begging to be used in a moscow mule recipe. but not just any old moscow mule recipe, it had to be a moscow mule with a twist. and then i saw a bag of cranberries at the grocery store around thanksgiving and all i could think was CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP. IN A MOSCOW MULE. thus, the inspiration for the cranberry moscow mule was born.
this drink is the jolliest cocktail this side of the nuthouse! (name that movie and you will cement your cool status with me forever.) it's spicy from the trader joe's ginger beer, it's tart and fruity from the cranberry simple syrup, and it's freaking delicious from being a moscow mule. as with all my cocktail recipes, i highly suggest you make this as soon as you possibly can. i myself may or may not have made this during naptime, so you really don't have much of an excuse to not make it tonight. or at the very least this weekend. most of us probably have holiday parties up the wazoo, and even if you don't, i'm sure we can all find a reason to make ourselves a festive cranberry moscow mule. right? right!the traditional moscow mule is usually served in copper mugs, so that's how i chose to serve this twist, but i think it would be really fun to serve them in some festive christmas mugs, especially if you serve this as your cocktail at a christmas party. throw in an ugly christmas sweater, and then send me an invite, because you clearly know how to do christmas right!
the cranberry simple syrup is the most involved part of this recipe; it only takes 10 minutes to make, so it's really very easy (plus it makes extra, so you can enjoy all the cranberry moscow mules you want). a little boiling, a little lime squeezing and opening a couple bottles is all the labor this drink requires. 
here is the recipe for your enjoyment:cranberry moscow mule recipe (makes 1, easily multiplied)
- 1 oz. cranberry simple syrup (recipe below)
- 2 lime wedges
- 2 oz. vodka
- ginger beer (to taste)
- handful of cranberries for garnish
- ice
in a copper mug filled with ice, add cranberry simple syrup, vodka, and juice from the two lime wedges. throw the lime wedges in the mug as well. top with ginger beer to taste (depending how strong you like your cocktails) and add a few cranberries as a garnish, either free-floating or on a toothpick skewer. add a festive straw and enjoy! be careful...these pack a punch but don't taste very strong.cranberry simple syrup recipe (makes 1 cup, can be kept in fridge for 1-2 weeks)
- 2 C. fresh or frozen cranberries (i used fresh)
- 1 C. sugar
- 1 C. water
in a medium saucepan, bring cranberries, sugar, and water to a simmer over medium-high heat. reduce heat to medium-low and cook until cranberries are tender but haven't quite split open, about 10 minutes. mine did split, but i didn't notice any difference in the consistency of the syrup once it was strained. let cool, then strain. discard cranberries. the syrup will be a pretty red color. bonus: syrup can be kept in fridge for 1-2 weeks, and can be used in other cocktails (like a dressed up vodka soda).
if you need ideas for other holiday cocktails, check out these posts too:
apple cider sangria || spiked hot cocoa
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