Served in a copper Moscow mule mug with a sprig of fresh sage and those ruby-red pomegranate arils, this Merry Christmas Moscow Mule is a festive twist that’ll have everyone talking. It’s bright, cozy, and perfect for any holiday parties, whether you’re hosting a big dinner or just sipping something special by the fire. Mocktail and big batch instructions included!
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The Holiday Mule Everyone is Going to Love
Y’all know the kitchen is my happy place, especially during the holidays. Between the cookies cooling on the counter, the scent of cinnamon and cloves in the air, and the soft hum of Christmas music, it’s where all the best moments happen.
And this year, I’m mixing up an extra special, festive cocktail for the holiday season: my Merry Christmas Mules. Tart pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and vodka come together that classic mule vibe, but the real magic is in the muddled sage — earthy, fresh, and perfect for winter — and a homemade ginger simple syrup that adds just the right amount of warm, spiced sweetness. It's the perfect holiday drink.
I served these last weekend when we had some friends over for an impromptu holiday hangout — the kind where you end up crowded around the kitchen island, laughing and nibbling on way too many appetizers.
These mules stole the show. They’re festive, fizzy, easy to whip up, and have just the right amount of charm to make everyone feel merry and bright, darlin'.
Ingredients for this Holiday Cocktail + Mocktail
- Pomegranate Juice
- Fresh Sage - sage has a fresh earthy-herb flavor that I love with my holiday recipes! I feel it really rounds out the sweet, tart, and spicy flavors we have in here.
- Fresh Ginger
- Vodka
- Lime Juice - using fresh lime juice is a million times better than the bottled stuff, has better flavor and you get the benefit of the lime oil flavoring it as well.
- Ginger Beer - the ginger beer adds spice (not 'hot' spice like a pepper, but it's own type spice) and fizz, but if you've never had it, you'll be surprised at how powerful that ginger can be. So use ginger ale instead if you aren't used to ginger beer.
- Fresh Pomegranate Seeds - for a really beautiful touch to this christmas cocktail, I used small clusters from a fresh pomegranate to garnish the cocktail. It's so gorgeous, honey!
Ginger Simple Syrup Ingredients
- Fresh Ginger - no need to peel it since we're straining the syrup it's in, but give it a good smash so it releases all its flavor into the simple syrup.
- Granulated Sugar + Water - this is all you need to make a traditional simple syrup, you can really flavor it with anything!
How to Make A Holiday Moscow Mule
Step 1 | Make the ginger syrup. It's a very simple process: equal parts sugar and water in the pot over medium heat with some crushed ginger. Once it's simmering and the sugar is dissolved, take it off the heat and let that ginger infuse the simple syrup for about 20 minutes before straining into a heat-safe container.
Step 2 | Muddle the fresh ginger and sage. This is just taking a muddler and mashing some fresh sage leaves with a peeled slice of ginger, really getting those spicy ginger flavors with the earthy sage out of the plants and into our drink.
Step 3 | Stir in (or shake in, if using a cocktail shaker) everything else --that includes the ginger syrup-- but the seeds and ginger beer.
Step 4 | Strain into your moscow mule mug or cocktail glass, top off with ginger beer, and garnish with a cluster of pom seeds and a sprig of sage.
Variations and Pro Tips
- For a bit of spice, swap the ginger syrup for cinnamon syrup for a warm, cozy kick.
- If you love a little extra fizz, top your mule with champagne or prosecco for a festive Pomegranate Sparkler Mule.
- Try flavored vodkas! A cranberry vodka or vanilla vodka works so well here.
- If you don't have pomegranate clusters, go with the classic moscow mule garnish: a lime wedge!
Make it extra festive!
Favorite Copper Mugs
A classic copper cup keeps the temperature of the drink ice cold and the carbonation super fizzy!
Make Ahead and Big Batch Instructions
The simple syrup can be made literally two weeks in advance (and it's delicious in all types of cocktails and mocktails!) while the drink can be made hours ahead of time, which is great when you're making the big batch version!
More of My Favorite Holiday Cocktail Recipes
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Christmas Moscow Mule (holiday cocktail + mocktail)
Ingredients
Ginger Simple Syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 inch knob fresh ginger, smashed
- ¼ cup water
Christmas Moscow Mule
- 3-4 fresh sage leaves, for muddling
- 1 slice fresh ginger, peeled; for muddling
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- 1 oz ginger syrup
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ice
- ginger beer, to top
- Pomegranate seeds and sage sprig, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, add the water, sugar, and smashed ginger.¼ cup water, 1 inch knob fresh ginger, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Once the sugar has completely dissolved, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes to infuse the ginger flavor.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly. Strain out the ginger slices using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a bottle or jar. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.
Make the Christmas Mule
- In a cocktail mixing glass or cocktail shaker, add the fresh sage leaves and sliced ginger to gently muddle them and release their oils.3-4 fresh sage leaves, 1 slice fresh ginger
- Pour in the vodka, pomegranate juice, ginger syrup, and lime juice.2 oz vodka, 1 oz pomegranate juice, 1 oz ginger syrup, 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Fill the mixer or shaker with ice, then stir or shake until chilled.ice
- Strain the mixture into a copper mule mug filled with ice.
- Top the glass with ginger beer for fizz.ginger beer
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a fresh sage sprig. Enjoy cold!Pomegranate seeds and sage sprig
Recipe Notes
Big Batch Christmas Mule Recipe
- 12 oz vodka
- 8 oz pomegranate juice
- 3 oz fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
- 4 oz ginger syrup (adjust to taste, more if you like it sweeter)
- 12 oz ginger beer
- 6-8 fresh sage leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- Ice (for the pitcher and serving)
- Pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
- In the pitcher, add the fresh sage leaves. Gently muddle them with a muddler or the back of a spoon to release their oils and aroma.
- Add the vodka, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and ginger syrup to the pitcher. Stir well to combine.
- Fill the pitcher halfway with ice to chill the drink.
- Just before serving, pour in the ginger beer and stir gently to combine, preserving the fizz.
- Pour the mule into glasses filled with ice and garnish with pomegranate seeds, lime slices, and a sprig of fresh sage for a beautiful, aromatic touch.
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