Celebrate the holiday season with this stunning apple cranberry moscow mule recipe! Bourbon (or vodka), lime juice, cranberry juice, and apple cider are a refreshing combination. And a fun twist of the classic moscow mule. Served in cold copper mugs, and garnished with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries, it’s the perfect holiday cocktail.

A cold copper mug filled with cranberry Moscow mules.

Cranberry Moscow Mule: A Holiday Cocktail Recipe

The holiday season is here! Between cocktail parties, Christmas parties, and casual gatherings, we’re in full-blown entertaining mode. I always strive to be a great hostess, while also actually enjoying my party. Which can be tricky…

My secret weapon? Easy recipes, like this simple holiday cocktail for cranberry moscow mules! No cocktail shaker required. This recipe comes together fast and it’s always a huge hit at my holiday parties.

a tray with cranberry Moscow mules garnished with fresh cranberries a sprig of rosemary.

Pair these with my Christmas charcuterie board and caramel corn for an easy holiday cocktail hour menu! Cranberry ginger margaritas are also a great addition!

Ingredients for Moscow Mules

Apple Cider: NOT apple cider vinegar, that would just be gross. You should be able to find pure apple cider in the refrigerated drink section of most grocery stores. Or check your local farmers market! In a pinch, you could use apple juice, but the flavor won’t be as concentrated.
Cranberry Juice: I prefer using 100% premium unsweetened cranberry juice because I don’t love super sweet cocktails. In a pinch, sweetened cranberry juice or even cranberry juice cocktail can work.
Ginger Beer: Fever Tree is my FAVORITE brand of ginger beer! But we also like Q Brand. Use what you like or can easily find! The combination of cranberry juice and ginger beer makes this holiday cocktail so festive tasting.
Bourbon: Although moscow mules are traditionally made with vodka, I chose to use bourbon in this cocktail. The bourbon just works with the other ingredients, so I suggest sticking with it. Use whatever brand you love. We use Bulleit because it’s what we always have on hand. You can use any leftover bourbon to make a cranberry cinnamon whiskey sour!
Ice: Large ice cubes or crushed ice can work.

Jump to the recipe for the full ingredients. This post may contain affiliate links!

Garnish Your Cranberry Moscow Mule

Ok, so let’s talk optional garnishes! I’m a huge garnish girl because I love adding some extra pop and pizazz to my recipes.

For this easy moscow mule, I simple topped each glass with a few frozen cranberries and a sprig of rosemary! You could definitely use fresh cranberries instead. Use mint instead of a sprig of rosemary. Or add sliced apples.

These simple additions, while totally optional, really make the presentation really impressive! And come on… don’t they just scream ” it’s the holiday season”?!

Tray with cranberry Moscow Mule garnished with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries.

Moscow Mule Mugs: Cold Copper Mugs

This recipe doesn’t require a cocktail shaker, but if you can, I suggest using copper mugs. You can use regular cocktail glasses to make a moscow mule. But bartenders serve classic Moscow mules in cold copper mugs. And I think they add a special touch… especially for the holiday season!

How to make a Moscow Mule

Ok, here’s the best part of of this recipe: it takes like 3 minutes to throw together!!!

Add ice to glasses, filling them all the way to the top. Lots of ice promises your drink will be ice cold!
Add in the bourbon (or vodka), then top with the apple cider, cranberry juice, and ginger beer.
Gently stir the ingredients together, then squeeze a lime on top of the glass.
Garnish your holiday cocktail with a sprig of rosemary and some fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries.
Repeat as needed. You can make just one holiday cocktail or doubled, triple, etc. It’s that easy!

You can also make this in a big pitcher of this recipe, which is always a hit at holiday parties!

More Holiday Cocktails for the Holiday Season: