A traditional Moscow Mule gets a seasonal and festive makeover with this recipe for a Cranberry Pomegranate Moscow Mule. Served adorned with skewered sugared cranberries, this drink can be made with gin or vodka and is the perfect party drink!

The holidays are for entertaining and spending time with friends and family. There’s nothing quite like being able to sit back with a delicious cocktail next to the gleaming Christmas tree and laughing until your belly hurts. While Eggnog may be the common choice, it is often times not the most popular. After all, who has that many calories to spare?

Moscow Mules proved to be one of the most popular drinks of 2016. From the stylish copper mug to the tasty lime and ginger beer concoction, it has rightfully earned its popularity. I am sure that the drink will keep its high rating in 2017 so let’s all ring in the new year with this delightful Cranberry Pomegranate Moscow Mule.

While this drink is served cold, the gin or vodka inside is sure to warm your heart. Now, in the ingredients section, you will see that I listed gin rather than vodka. That is a personal preference, so feel free to switch it out if you prefer vodka. Because it is the holidays and winter time, I like to use seasonal fruit. Cranberries and pomegranates are winter fruits and make for a delicious Moscow Mule. It also makes them color coordinated with all of your other holiday decorations, because don’t we all design food and drinks around our party decor? If there happens to be a non-alcohol drinker in your crowd, simply omit the gin and ginger beer, substitute those with ginger ale, and serve for a deliciously festive Moscow Mule Mocktail!

Cranberry Pomegranate Moscow Mule Cocktail

To make the drinks a bit more festive, I like to serve them with a few skewered sugared cranberries. Like the drink, these are really easy to make and can be made a few hours in advance. To make these, I simply heat 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a small pot on medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. I then add a small bag (12 ounces) of cranberries to the pot and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, making sure to stir and coat all of the cranberries in the sugar water. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cranberries from the pan and place on a wire rack to dry for at least an hour. Once dry, roll the cranberries in sugar and skewer. Cover and set aside until ready to serve. These also make beautiful decorations for cakes, cupcakes, or any holiday dessert.

This cocktail is fairly easy to make and is great for serving a crowd. Simply triple your recipe, serve in a large pitcher, and sit back and enjoy a drink with your friends!