Raise a glass to the most wonderful time of year with this very merry gingerbread mule cocktail! Made with a homemade gingerbread simple syrup, spicy ginger beer, fresh lime juice and your favorite spirit, this Christmas mule is full of the holiday season's best flavors, and it couldn't be simpler to whip up. Plus, it comes with an option for batching for easy entertaining. With one sip, this is sure to be your new favorite holiday cocktail.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for holiday parties: Between those classic festive flavors and the pitcher option, don’t be surprised if this cocktail becomes a new tradition for your holiday gatherings. And believe me — once your friends and family get a taste, they’ll beg you to make it every year. After all, who doesn't love a holiday twist on a classic cocktail?
Full of warm spices: Take a sip and you’ll agree this tastes like Christmas in a copper mug. It’s the perfect cozy sipper for this time of year.
Ultra versatile: Prefer a gingerbread Moscow mule? Vodka works well. Bourbon is also great to turn this into a gingerbread Kentucky mule. It would even pair beautifully with white or dark rum or even a nice reposado tequila. Pick your own adventure.
Related: For more holiday cocktail recipes, you’ll also love my gingerbread margarita, Christmas sangria, peppermint-chocolate martini and Baileys eggnog.
Ingredients
Preferred spirit: As mentioned, you can use vodka, white or dark rum, bourbon or tequila. You could even get extra festive and use cinnamon whiskey for a hint of extra spice. After recipe testing, both Matt and I decided bourbon was our favorite, but we wouldn’t be sad if we had to drink any of the other varieties.
The sweet bourbon with its caramel and vanilla notes works so well with the gingerbread spice. That’s what I put in the recipe card, but you’ll see in the notes section that you can swap another spirit of choice.
Gingerbread simple syrup: I highly recommend using my homemade gingerbread syrup, which I created to use in my favorite gingerbread latte. We make it with fresh ginger, molasses, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, vanilla extract and just a touch of orange zest. Trust me — it’s way more delicious than anything you can buy and makes a world of difference in this cocktail.
Lime juice: Make sure you use freshly squeezed lime juice rather than bottled juice. The flavor is much better if you take just a few seconds to squeeze your own juice.
Ginger beer: Ginger beer is a sparkling fermented beverage. Traditionally, ginger beer was alcoholic, but these days, most ginger beers on the market are nonalcoholic, which is what this Christmas Moscow mule recipe uses.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mule cocktails are traditionally made right in the cup — no need for a cocktail shaker here. We start by adding the spirit, gingerbread simple syrup, lime juice and ice to a copper cup (photo 1).
Step 2: Now we stir it with a bar spoon until the outside of the mug starts to build condensation (photo 2).
Step 3: We pour in the ginger beer and gently stir to combine (photo 3).
Step 4: For our final step and an extra fun touch, we garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick and sprig of rosemary (photo 4). You could even serve it with a gingerbread cookie.
Just like that, you’re ready to play some Christmas carols and sip on this delightful gingerbread cocktail to celebrate the holiday season. Don’t you feel extra festive enjoying all those delightful gingerbread flavors? And if you're looking for more seasonal mules, you'll also love my cranberry Moscow mule.
How to Make a Pitcher of Mules
As promised, I have the perfect pitcher recipe to make your holiday entertaining stress free. Here’s the rundown.
- Add your favorite spirit, gingerbread syrup, lime juice and a handful of ice or two to a large pitcher.
- Stir for about 15-20 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove any remaining ice.
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. After that, the lime juice starts to lose its bright quality.
- Right before serving, gently pour in the ginger beer.
- Serve, sip and enjoy!
You can find the exact ingredient proportions in the notes section of the recipe card.
Recipe FAQs
As long as you keep it in a sterile, airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last for several weeks.
While this is the traditional serving glass for a mule and it certainly makes for a pretty presentation, you do not have to use copper mugs. This type of glassware is used because it’s an excellent insulator, but a double old fashioned glass or a highball glass can work just as well.
I do not recommend substituting ginger beer for ginger ale. Ginger beer has a distinct taste with a more robust, spicier ginger flavor while ginger ale is much sweeter. The two make for entirely different drinks, and you won’t get that classic mule flavor without ginger beer.
Absolutely, you have a few options. As mocktails continue to take off, you can buy all sorts of nonalcoholic spirits these days. Another option is to substitute the spirit with a splash of sparkling water, cranberry juice or orange juice — both juices are lovely with those holiday spices.
Expert Tips
Use fresh lime juice: It only takes a few seconds and makes a huge difference in flavor.
Pick juicy limes: The best limes have some give when you press into them. Don’t buy hard limes — they’re dried out.
Chill your ginger beer: For an extra frosty mug, refrigerate the ginger beer before using. Room-temperature ginger beer will make your ice melt too fast.
Don’t skip the homemade gingerbread simple syrup: Store-bought gingerbread syrup doesn’t come anywhere close to matching this recipe. For the very best gingerbread mule, you want to use this syrup. In case you don’t believe me, here’s a testament straight from a reader.
“I made this today and it is fantastic! I had a gingerbread Moscow mule at a restaurant last weekend and knew I wanted to make my own. Instead of buying gingerbread syrup, I used this recipe. It's delicious! I also plan on using it in lattes, as a glaze for winter cakes, and on top of waffles or pancakes. Thank you for creating this recipe!” —Lindsey
Perfect Pairing
Naturally, this holiday mule calls for a gingerbread treat. Fortunately, I have plenty of options for you. Try my gingerbread tiramisu, pumpkin gingerbread, gingerbread pudding or gingerbread ice cream. They’re all perfect flavor matches.
That delicious taste of gingerbread is also wonderful with orange-flavored desserts. My spiced orange tres leches cake and cranberry-orange cookies are fabulous options.
For a taste of the holidays in every sip, you’ll love this festive gingerbread mule. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Cheers!
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📖 Recipe
Gingerbread Mule Cocktail
Equipment
- Copper mug
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Handheld citrus juicer
- Bar spoon
Ingredients
Gingerbread Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh ginger peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ⅔ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses (not the blackstrap variety)
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Gingerbread Mule Cocktail
- 2 ounces bourbon or preferred spirit vodka, dark rum, white rum, reposado tequila also recommended as substitutes
- 1 ounce gingerbread simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- 6 ounces chilled ginger beer
- Cinnamon stick for garnish, optional
- Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish, optional
Instructions
Gingerbread Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, add the water, ginger, dark brown sugar, molasses, orange zest, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Stir to combine. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil. Stir every so often to help dissolve the sugar.
- When the mixture boils and the sugar dissolves, turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow to steep for at least 15 minutes.
- Strain the syrup to separate the solids. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Gingerbread Mule Cocktail
- In a copper mug, add the bourbon or preferred spirit, gingerbread simple syrup, lime juice and a handful of ice.
- Using a bar spoon, stir until condensation builds on the glass, about 15-20 seconds.
- Pour in the chilled ginger beer. Gently stir to combine.
- If desired, garnish with the cinnamon stick and rosemary sprig. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the best flavor, don't swap bottled lime juice for freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Pick limes that have some give when you press into them.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Leslie says
This is the perfect holiday drink! I love the warm spices and I also love that you can make this with vodka or bourbon! YUM!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you, Leslie! Happy holidays!
Lauren Michael Harris says
We made these last night after dinner and they did not disappoint! The flavor was spot on - will definitely be making again!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'll cheers to that! Thanks so much.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Tis the season for deliciousness and amazing drinks! This was phenomenal and perfect for the holidays!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Lori! Happy holidays!
Amy Liu Dong says
We served this for Christmas Eve. Big hit for all the adults in the family. Thank you!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Sounds like a festive celebration!
Jacqueline Debono says
This is my new favourite Christmas cocktail. The gingerbread simple syrup has a fantastic flavour! I made it with rum but next time want to try it with bourbon instead.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You’ll love both versions! And thank you so much. Happy holidays!
Tammy says
Ooh this was marvelous! Made myself one last night! A perfect and refreshing holiday cocktail. Cheers!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
And cheers to you!
Amanda Mason says
So good - my goodness!! Made these last night for a ladies Christmas party and everyone loved them! Great drink recipe!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you for sharing it with your friends! Sounds like a lovely time. Merry Christmas!
Jamie says
This mule was incredibly delicious and just so perfect. Definitely a great drink for this holiday season! Loved it!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks for celebrating the season with this drink!
Jessica says
I made these last night to start off the Christmas weekend. I love ginger anything this time of year and really enjoyed this drink. Bourbon was a good call!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Glad you tried them! Merry Christmas!
Ann says
I love Moscow mules, so I had to make this gingerbread version. So festive for the holiday season! The syrup really makes it.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Ann! Glad you agree. Happy holidays!
Linda says
I love using gingerbread syrup for cocktails but I never thought of using it in a Moscow mule. Duh! My husband is forever your friend for dressing up his Moscow mule for Christmas. It was a definite hit!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Love that! It's one of our favorites too. Always love a good mule, especially when it's extra festive. Happy holidays!
Bernice says
This is such a great idea and your photos are so adorable! I make a huge batch of gingerbread syrup every year for gingerbread latte, and now I can also use it in a cocktail. Christmas Eve cocktail, here we come!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Cheers! Merry Christmas!