Alright, let’s talk about the star of your holiday get-together – the Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule! Forget those basic drinks; this one is like a warm hug in a mug, perfectly capturing all the cozy flavors of Thanksgiving. We’re talking tart cranberries, that little kick from ginger beer, and a whisper of spice that just screams ‘holiday cheer.’ And the best part? You don’t need to be a master mixologist to whip this up. Seriously, it’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along. Get ready to impress everyone with this little gem!

Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this drink? It’s got everything going for it:

Festive & Fun: The gorgeous ruby color and the warming spices make it instantly feel like a celebration. It’s practically Christmas in a glass, but perfect for Thanksgiving too!
Super Quick: We’re talking like, 5 minutes from start to finish. No waiting around, just pure, delicious holiday goodness.
Effortlessly Easy: You just toss everything in a mug and stir. No fancy techniques needed, trust me!
Flavor Explosion: That combo of tart cranberry, spicy ginger, zesty lime, and warm bitters is just out of this world. It’s complex but so, so good.
The Ultimate Holiday Drink: It’s the perfect companion for all your Thanksgiving appetizers and a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season. Your guests will be asking for the recipe, guaranteed!

Gathering Your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule Ingredients

Okay, let’s get everything ready for our amazing Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule! It’s really simple, and having everything prepped makes mixing a breeze. You’ll want to grab these goodies:

2 ounces Vodka: This is our base spirit, giving it that nice little kick.
4 ounces chilled Ginger Beer: Make sure it’s cold! This is what gives it that lovely fizz and spicy warmth.
1 ounce unsweetened Cranberry Juice: The star of the show, giving us that beautiful color and tart flavor. Unsweetened is best so you can control the sweetness yourself.
0.5 ounce freshly squeezed Lime Juice: Don’t skip this! Fresh lime juice adds a bright, zesty punch that cuts through everything beautifully.
2 dashes Angostura Bitters: These little drops add a layer of complexity and spice that really elevates the drink.
1 Cinnamon Stick: This is for that gorgeous aroma and a hint of cinnamon spice.
Fresh Cranberries: A few of these are perfect for garnish, making it look extra festive.

Having everything measured out beforehand means you can just assemble this in seconds!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule

Let’s talk about why these ingredients work so well and what you can do if you need to switch things up. The unsweetened cranberry juice is key because it gives us that lovely festive color and tartness without making the drink too sweet. And those Angostura bitters? They’re like a secret weapon, adding a warm, spiced depth that really makes this Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule feel special.

If you’re not a vodka fan, feel free to swap it for white rum or even skip it entirely for a delicious mocktail! For the ginger beer, if you can’t find it or prefer something a little less spicy, ginger ale works, but maybe add an extra dash of bitters to get that kick back. And if you like your drinks a little sweeter, a tiny splash of simple syrup before you stir can do the trick!

Crafting the Perfect Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get mixing and make this incredible Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule! It’s honestly so simple, you’ll be a pro in no time. Here’s how we do it:

Chill Your Mug: First things first, grab your favorite copper mug or a nice tall glass. Fill it up all the way with ice. The colder everything is, the better this drink will be.
Add the Liquids: Now, pour in your 2 ounces of vodka. Then, add the 1 ounce of cranberry juice and that half ounce of fresh lime juice. Don’t forget those 2 dashes of Angostura bitters – they’re crucial for that warm spice note!
Top it Off: Gently pour in the 4 ounces of chilled ginger beer. Pour it slowly down the side of the mug if you can, to keep all those lovely bubbles happy.
Give it a Gentle Stir: This is important! Use a spoon or a stirrer and just give it a *gentle* stir. You want to mix everything together, but you don’t want to stir out all the fizz from the ginger beer. Think of it as a little swirl, not a vigorous shake.
Garnish for Glory: Now for the pretty part! Pop in your cinnamon stick right into the mug. Add a few fresh cranberries – they look so festive floating around. It just makes the whole Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule look extra special.

And there you have it! A perfectly crafted, delicious holiday cocktail ready to be enjoyed.

Tips for Success with Your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule

Want to make sure your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule is absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a few little tricks that really make a difference. Always, always use chilled ginger beer – it keeps the drink cold and fizzy. And please, please use fresh lime juice! That bottled stuff just doesn’t have the same bright, zesty flavor. When you’re garnishing, give that cinnamon stick a little tap to release its aroma before you pop it in. For the fresh cranberries, a few look great, but don’t go overboard so they don’t get in the way of your sipping!

Variations on Your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule

Want to switch things up or make your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule even more unique? I love playing around with this recipe! You could add just a tiny splash of orange juice along with the cranberry and lime – it gives it a lovely citrusy depth that pairs wonderfully with the spices. Or, instead of a cinnamon stick, try a star anise pod for a slightly different, more exotic warm spice note. Another fun idea is to create a festive rim for your glass! Just mix a little granulated sugar with some cinnamon and maybe a pinch of nutmeg on a small plate, run a lime wedge around the rim of your mug, and dip it in the sugar mix before you start building your drink. So pretty and so tasty!

Serving Your Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule

This gorgeous Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule is practically a work of art on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with all your favorite holiday appetizers. Think mini cheese balls, stuffed mushrooms, or even a slice of pumpkin pie! Serve it up immediately in its festive mug and watch your guests’ eyes light up.

Now, about leftovers for our wonderful Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule – this is one of those drinks that’s truly best enjoyed right after you make it. Because it’s got that lovely ginger beer fizz, mixing it ahead of time means you’ll lose that sparkle. Plus, the lime juice can start to taste a little off if it sits too long. So, my best advice? Mix ’em up fresh, one at a time, as needed. That way, every sip is perfectly bubbly and bright!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule

Got questions about our festive Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I make this Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule non-alcoholic?
Absolutely! Just skip the vodka and top up with a bit more ginger beer and cranberry juice. You still get all those wonderful holiday flavors and that lovely spice. It’s just as delicious!

Q: What kind of cranberries should I use for garnish?
Fresh cranberries are the best for garnish! They look so pretty and festive floating in the drink. You can also use a few frozen ones if fresh aren’t available – they work just fine and keep the drink extra cold.

Q: How do I make this Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule sweeter?
If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, just add a little simple syrup. Start with about half an ounce (or even a teaspoon!) before you stir everything together. You can always add more if needed, but it’s easier to add than to take away!

Q: Can I use cranberry juice cocktail instead of unsweetened cranberry juice?
You can, but unsweetened is really preferred for this Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule because cranberry juice cocktail is already quite sweet. Using it might make the drink too sugary. If you do use it, you might want to skip the simple syrup altogether and maybe even reduce the ginger beer a touch.

Just a little note on the nutritional side of things for our festive Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule: the details provided are based on average ingredient values. Keep in mind that nutritional information is an estimate and can vary depending on the specific brands of vodka, ginger beer, and cranberry juice you use, as well as any adjustments you make, like adding simple syrup. Enjoy responsibly!

Perfect Thanksgiving Cranberry Spice Mule 5 Ways

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A festive and flavorful twist on the classic Moscow Mule, infused with the warm spices and tartness of Thanksgiving cranberries.

Ingredients

Scale

2 oz Vodka
4 oz Ginger Beer
1 oz Cranberry Juice
0.5 oz Lime Juice
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Cinnamon Stick, for garnish
Fresh Cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
Add vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Angostura bitters.
Top with ginger beer.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic version, omit the vodka and increase the ginger beer and cranberry juice.
Adjust the sweetness by adding a touch of simple syrup if desired.
Experiment with different spice garnishes like star anise or a slice of orange.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Cocktail
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 drink
Calories: 200
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 10mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Thanksgiving, Cranberry, Spice, Mule, Cocktail, Vodka, Ginger Beer, Festive Drink, Holiday Cocktail