Sparkling Holiday Cranberry Mule – A festive, fizzy, winter-bright mocktail with ginger heat & berry cheer

Sparkling Holiday Cranberry Mule – A festive, fizzy, winter-bright mocktail with ginger heat & berry cheer

The Sparkling Holiday Cranberry Mule is everything a festive winter mocktail should be — bright, bubbly, refreshing, and beautifully seasonal. Tart cranberry, zesty lime, and spicy ginger come together in a drink that tastes like holiday magic in a copper mug. This alcohol-free version keeps all the charm and sparkle of a classic mule while adding a festive twist with cranberries, rosemary, and optional pomegranate. It’s perfect for parties, Christmas dinners, cozy nights by the tree, or any celebration where you want a fancy, fresh, and totally spirit-free drink.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 3

Servings: 1 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Mule Base

½ cup cranberry juice 100% juice preferred
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 –2 tablespoons simple syrup or honey to taste
2 tablespoons homemade cranberry syrup* optional but amazing

Sparkling Ginger Top

½ –1 cup non-alcoholic ginger beer or ginger ale for a sweeter mule

Garnish

Fresh cranberries
Lime wheel
Rosemary sprig
Crushed ice
Optional Homemade Cranberry Syrup

(Adds rich berry color & holiday flair)

½ cup cranberries
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons sugar or honey
Simmer 5 minutes mash gently, strain, and cool.

Equipment

Cocktail shaker or mason jar
Muddler (optional)
Citrus juicer
Measuring spoons
Fine mesh strainer
Copper mug or tall glass
Ice (crushed preferred)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the mule base

In a shaker, combine:
Cranberry juice
Lime juice
Simple syrup or honey
Optional cranberry syrup
Shake well with ice to chill and blend.

Step 2: Frost your mug

Fill a copper mule mug (or tall glass) with crushed ice so it becomes frosty and chilled.

Step 3: Pour and fizz

Strain the cranberry–lime mixture over the ice.
Top generously with non-alcoholic ginger beer for sparkle and heat.
Stir gently.

Step 4: Garnish

Add fresh cranberries, a lime wheel, and a rosemary sprig for a festive holiday look.

Notes

🧊 Storage

Mix the cranberry-lime base up to 3 days ahead.

Add ginger beer only when serving to keep it bubbly. ❄️

🥄 Variations

Pomegranate Holiday Mule
Add 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice for deeper flavor.

Frosted Winter Mule
Use frozen cranberries as ice cubes.

Spiced Mule Twist
Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon honey syrup for warmth.

Minty Cranberry Mule
Muddle fresh mint in the shaker.

Sugar-Free Mule
Skip honey and use sugar-free ginger beer.

❓ 10 FAQs

Is ginger beer alcohol-free?
Yes — common grocery-store ginger beer is non-alcoholic; check your label.

Can I make this sweeter?
Add more honey or simple syrup.

Can I make a big batch?
Yes — multiply the base ingredients; add ginger beer per glass.

Do I need a copper mug?
No, but it keeps the drink icy-cold and traditional.

Can I use frozen cranberries?
Absolutely — they make great edible ice.

Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh is best for flavor and aroma.

Can kids drink this?
Yes — it’s fully non-alcoholic.

Can I make it less tart?
Add a splash of orange juice or extra sweetener.

Can I use cranberry cocktail instead of 100% juice?
Yes — reduce or skip the sweetener.

Is this good for winter parties?
It’s festive, fizzy, gorgeous, and perfect for a holiday drink bar!

🏁 Conclusion

The Sparkling Holiday Cranberry Mule is a bright, bubbly, and beautifully seasonal mocktail that turns simple ingredients into a festive, refreshing celebration in a glass. With its jewel-toned color, spicy ginger fizz, and fragrant rosemary garnish, it’s perfect for entertaining — or simply bringing a little holiday magic into an ordinary day.