Savor the flavors of the holiday season with this delicious spiced cranberry orange Moscow mule! Perfect for holiday gatherings, this cocktail is perfectly balanced with warm baking spices, lemon, ginger, vanilla, cranberry, and orange.
Don't drink alcohol? Well, I've included the non-alcoholic mocktail recipe as well, so anyone can enjoy this wonderful holiday beverage!
I love a good cocktail, but it can't be too sweet. So, when creating this recipe, I wanted to focus on a balanced cocktail that is not overly sweet, easy, delicious, and fun for the holidays.
I thought about making a spiced simple syrup, but again, that's more sugar! Instead, I add the ground spices with juices and give it a good shake! It's faster to make, so you can enjoy your party!
Need some more cocktail recipes? Check out this list of wonderful holiday cocktails.
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Why You'll Love This Cocktail
- Easy to make!
- It comes together in under 5 minutes
- Refreshing, balanced flavors
- Herbaceous, sweet, tart, and spicy!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Vanilla vodka adds a round, warm vanilla flavor to this cocktail. It should be easy to find in most grocery or liquor stores.
- Cranberry orange juice: I found a cranberry blood orange juice mix by Langers at the grocery store; it works perfectly for this cocktail. You should be able to find it pretty easily. If not, I recommend mixing equal parts cranberry and orange juice.
- Ginger beer: I used FeverTree ginger beer I found at Costco. I love this brand because it's extra gingery and not too sweet. This adds the perfect amount of warming ginger flavor to this cocktail.
- Pumpkin spice seasoning adds more warming spice flavor and helps to balance the sweetness in the juices and ginger beer.
- Cinnamon, ground, adds a lovely cinnamon spice.
- Fresh rosemary adds a subtle herbaceous flavor, adding more complexity to the cocktail.
- Lemon or lime I like the way fresh lemon flavors this drink and balances the sweetness. It adds a nice, fresh tartness to the cocktail. If you can't find fresh lemon, lime will also work.
- Orange slices for garnish (optional), but it sure looks pretty!
- Sugared cranberries, for garnish (optional)
Make it EXTRA gingery: chop some fresh ginger and add it to the bottom of the cocktail shaker or mason jar. Muddle with the fresh rosemary before adding the rest of the ingredients. Strain as you pour into the copper mug.
How to Make This Spiced Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule
- Add rosemary to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and muddle a bit to release some of the oils.
- Add the vodka, cranberry orange juice, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Cover and shake vigorously for 3-5 seconds.
- Fill a copper mug with ice, pour the vodka/juice mixture over the ice, top with ginger beer, and gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig, an orange slice, and sugared cranberries (if desired).
Serve right away, and enjoy!
Mocktail Instructions
- Add rosemary to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and muddle a bit to release some of the oils.
- Add the vanilla sparkling water, cranberry orange juice, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
- Fill a copper mug with ice, pour the sparkling water/juice mixture over the ice, top with ginger beer, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig, an orange slice, and sugared cranberries (if desired).
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Recipe
Easy Spiced Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule
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*Easily adjust serving size to your liking by clicking the number under servings or with the boxes below in the ingredients section.
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker or Mason jar with lid
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Vanilla Vodka or vanilla sparkling water (for mocktail)
- 2 ounces Cranberry Orange Juice
- 1 -2 ounce Ginger Beer
- 1 tablespon Fresh Lemon Juice or lime
- 1 3 inch sprig Fresh Rosemary flavor, garnish
- 1 pinch Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 pinch Cinnamon ground
- 1 slice Mandarin Orange for garnish
- few Sugared Cranberries for garnish, optional
- 1 cup Ice
Instructions
Make the Cocktail
- Add rosemary to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and muddle a bit to release some of the oils.
- Add the vodka, cranberry orange juice, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Cover and shake vigorously for 3-5 seconds.
- Fill a copper mug with ice, pour the vodka/juice mixture over the ice, top with ginger beer, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig, an orange slice, and sugared cranberries (if desired).
Make the Mocktail
- Add rosemary to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and muddle a bit to release some of the oils.
- Add the vanilla sparkling water, cranberry orange juice, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
- Fill a copper mug with ice, pour the sparkling water/juice mixture over the ice, top with ginger beer, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig, an orange slice, and sugared cranberries (if desired).
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