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    Home » Cocktails » Easy Holiday Moscow Mule Recipe

    Published: Dec 25, 2021 · Updated: Dec 25, 2021 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Easy Holiday Moscow Mule Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Image of a holiday Moscow Mule garnished with a clove studded orange slice on a wood cutting board. Text reads, Holiday mule cocktail recipe.

    There are some cocktail recipes that are just perfect for certain times of the year. This Holiday Moscow Mule recipe is the best winter cocktail!

    It’s easy to make and full of yummy seasonal flavors. If you like to try out all the different Moscow Mule recipes now is your chance! Make this winter mule recipe now! 

    Woman holding a copper mug filled with a holiday Moscow mule.
    All of the holiday flavors in one copper mug.

    This post was originally published on November 15, 2018, and has now been updated with more tips to make this Christmas Mule perfect every time.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Related Recipes
    • Holiday Moscow Mule Recipe

    I love to take the traditional Moscow Mule recipe and make it suit a particular holiday or season. Upon seeing store-bought wassail at Trade Joe’s, I knew I needed to make a Christmas Mule. I was right. It’s delicious.

    Why This Recipe Works

    A Christmas Moscow Mule is the perfect cocktail for all your holiday parties. Or for sipping while playing my Hallmark Christmas Movies Drinking Game. 

    The recipe is super simple and needs only a few ingredients so it’s great for home bartenders. While I typically don’t like to add special ingredients to my cocktails, wassail makes sense. It’s non-alcoholic so the kids can totally drink it too.

    Like my Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail, this tastes like Christmas in a glass! And the store-bought juice does all the work for you. (I’ll share a tip below in case you can’t find a similar juice in stores).

    After just a few times making it, you’ll no longer even really need to measure. Seriously, it’s damn near fool-proof. It’s a go-to vodka recipe at this time of year.

    Recipes that are quick to make, like this Holiday Moscow Mule, are perfect for having people over.

    Serving them in a copper mug makes everything seem extra festive and keeps the drink chilled to perfection.

    A simple, fragrant garnish finishes off the drink and makes it party-ready.

    You could even easily ditch the wine in this Wine and Essential Oils holiday party idea and swap in a winter Moscow Mule cocktail instead.

    Cranberry just feels right at this time of year. If you think so too, check out my Spiced Cranberry Vodka Slush. It’s a frozen, large batch cocktail that is perfect for winter entertaining. And don’t miss a fun list of Punch Recipes to serve a crowd.

    Ingredient Notes

    Holiday Moscow Mule recipe ingredients for Christmas.

    For this cocktail, I used Finlandia Vodka, but you can use whatever you have on hand.

    Ginger Beer is essential for any Moscow mule recipe and it’s perfect for the holidays.

    Juice of half a lime and bitters help enhance the flavors of the vodka and wassail.

    Ginger Liqueur is optional but adds a delicious boost of ginger flavor. (If you love ginger, don’t skip this!)

    This Winter Wassail from Trader Joe’s is the star of the show. When I wanted to create this Christmas Moscow Mule recipe, my mind kept going to cranberries.

    But when I saw this spiced juice, I instantly knew it would be the perfect base for this winter mule cocktail.

    Close up image of a bottle of Trader Joe's Winter Wassail.

    First, it’s ready-made. Second, it is full of seasonal flavors. Third, my kids love this juice on its own! You can’t go wrong with this juice.

    It is a seasonal item and specific to Trader Joe’s. If you can’t find it you can make your own Spiced Cranberry Juice. It’s the base for most of my cranberry cocktails. In fact, it’s what I use in my Cranberry Mule recipe.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Woman filling a copper mug with ice.

    Add ice to a mug.

    Woman adding vodka to a cocktail jigger.

    Add vodka. It’s usually between 1 – 2 ounces. Put however you much you want. You do you. If you are a light-weight or don’t love the flavor stay closer to 1 ounce.

    Adding Winter Wassail to the copper mug.

    Add the wassail.

    Here is why Moscow Mules are such a great cocktail. While you start with a basic recipe, you can easily modify them to suit your own tastes. If you don’t want it to be strong, add a little more juice. 

    Adding ginger beer to the winter Moscow mule.

    Top with ginger beer.

    Woman slicing a lime.

    Mmmmmm. Fresh lime.

    Woman squeezing a lime over the Christmas Moscow mule.

    Fresh lime juice is an essential ingredient to any Moscow Mule recipe including winter mules. It’s a great way to brighten up the drinks and bring out the flavors.

    Adding an whole cloves to an orange.

    A fun garnish is a great way to finish off this drink. Clove-studded oranges are a holiday tradition so creating one for a garnish on the Holiday Moscow Mule just makes sense.

    The garnish flavors mimic the ingredients found in the wassail. Just don’t accidentally eat a whole clove…

    And as you bring the mug to your lips to sip you get hit in the nose with the most glorious seasonal scent.

    Tips and Tricks

    • You don’t have to use a copper mug, but you kind of do have to use a copper mug. They are such a fun way to sip a cocktail. They get frosty and the color glistens in the lights. Although it’s currently 78 degrees here in California, in my head I can almost picture drinking a Holiday Mule by the tree.
    • You can always adjust the sweetness level by adding more juice or even a little bit of simple syrup.
    • If you plan to serve wassail to the kids (minus the alcohol of course!), skip the garnishes. Cloves can be a choking hazard and the smell can be too intense for them.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make a pitcher of Christmas Mules for a party?

    Yes. I would just suggest you make a pitcher of vodka, wassail and lime and then add in the ginger beer individually so it retains its fizz.

    What can I substitute for the wassail? I don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby.

    If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, or they are out of this pre-made wassail, you can make a spiced cranberry juice.

    Can I use gin instead of vodka?

    Yes, definitely. Vodka and gin are often interchangeable. I encourage you to try this recipe as is though first because I think you’ll love it! Gin has a heavier herbal flavor so it would be great for winter and pair well with the juice.

    Top down image of a winter Moscow mule in a copper mug.

    Are you a fan of Moscow Mules? Make this Holiday Moscow Mule and let me know what you think! Still need more holiday cocktail ideas? Check out this Christmas Cherry Fizz, Cranberry Pear Rum Cooler, and Creamy Winter Cocktail with Chocolate.

    Related Recipes

    Browse my cocktail collections: Vodka Recipes, Moscow Mule Variations, Wine Cocktails, Fireball Cocktails, Cocktails with Bitters, Cocktails Made with Coke or 2-Ingredient Cocktails.

    • Best Champagne Punch Recipe – have a Christmas Mule, and Champagne Punch for New Year’s Eve!
    • Spiced Clementine Soda Margarita – I love citrus in winter and this is a delicious seasonal margarita.
    • The Perfect Spiced Daiquiri for Winter – you might think of daiquiris as a summer drink, but not this one! It’s delicious in winter.
    An overhead shot of pine branches and a package with a printable sheet on top of it next to text.
    Close up image of a copper Moscow mule mug filled with a holiday themed mule and an orange slice garnish on a wood lazy susan.

    Holiday Moscow Mule Recipe

    A delicious and easy cocktail idea with seasonal flavors, vodka, wassail, and citrus. Ready in just minutes, this Christmas Mule is perfect for parties.
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    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cocktail
    Calories: 225kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Equipment

    • Copper Moscow Mule Mug
    • Cocktail Jigger or liquid measuring cup
    • Bar spoon
    • Knife
    • Cutting board

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
    • 4 1/2 oz. Wassail
    • 4 oz. Ginger Beer
    • 4 drops Bitters
    • 1/2 oz. Ginger Liqueur (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a copper mug, add a handful of ice. 
    • Add vodka, wassail, lime juice and ginger beer and give a gentle stir. 
    • Top with bitters. (Do not skip the Bitters!)
    • If you want to, you can add a little ginger liqueur for extra flavor. 
    • Add a slice of clove-studded orange if desired. 

    Notes

    • You don’t have to use a copper mug, but they are a great way to make the drink feel extra festive and stay super chilled.
    • You can always adjust the sweetness level by adding more juice or even a little bit of simple syrup.
    • If you plan to serve wassail to the kids (minus the alcohol of course!), skip the garnishes. Cloves can be a choking hazard and the smell can be too intense for them.
    • If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you or the Wassail is sold out, you can make a spiced cider base like this one here made with cranberry juice. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at cupcakesandcutlery@gmail.com

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