Get ready to add a truly festive and flavorful twist to your cocktail lineup with this Spiced Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule! This isn’t your average mule; it beautifully combines tart cranberry juice, sweet pear nectar, zesty lime, smooth vodka, and bubbly ginger beer, all finished with gorgeous sugared cranberries and pear slices. While the cranberries and cozy spices might make you think of the holiday season – and this is indeed perfect for bookmarking for fall and winter! – the refreshing kick of ginger beer and bright fruit also makes it a surprisingly delightful sipper on a cooler spring evening like today, May 7th, especially if you love unique flavor combinations.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule
- Festive & Flavorful: A wonderful combination of tart cranberry, sweet pear, warm spices (implied via “spiced” theme, can be added via ginger beer choice or variations), and zesty lime.
- Unique Twist on a Classic: Elevates the standard Moscow Mule with seasonal fruit nectars and juices.
- Beautiful Presentation: Looks stunning in a copper mug or glass, especially with sugared cranberry and fruit garnishes.
- Easy to Make: Simple to build in the mug, easily multiplied for guests.
- Refreshing Yet Cozy: Offers both bright, refreshing notes and a comforting feel.
Ingredients for Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule
Here’s what you’ll need to craft this festive and flavorful mule. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Mule
- Vodka (Liquor)
- Lime juice (freshly squeezed) (Acid)
- Cranberry juice (100% unsweetened recommended) (Juice) (See Variations for out-of-season substitutes)
- Pear nectar* (thick, pulpy pear juice) (Juice)
- Ginger beer (Soda)
- Ice (Ice)
Sugared Cranberries (Optional Garnish)
- Fresh cranberries (Fruit) (See Variations for substitutes if out of season)
- Water (Liquid)
- Granulated sugar (divided) (Sweetener)
Garnishes
- Lime slices
- Pear slices
(Note refers to original recipe details about pear nectar) (Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
While the cranberry-pear combination is perfect for a festive feel, feel free to adapt this Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule:
- Cranberry Substitute (Out of Season): If fresh cranberries are unavailable for the garnish, omit them or use a few pomegranate arils for a pop of red. For the juice, use 100% pomegranate juice or a tart cherry juice.
- Pear Nectar Substitute: If pear nectar is hard to find, use good quality pear juice, or even unsweetened applesauce thinned with a little water for a different fruit note.
- Add Spices: Muddle a few slices of fresh ginger in the mug before adding ice, or use a spiced rum instead of vodka. Add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer/garnish.
- Different Spirit: Try gin or a light rum instead of vodka.
- Make it Sweeter/Tarter: Adjust the amount of pear nectar (for sweetness) or lime juice (for tartness) to your preference.
How to Make a Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule
Making this festive Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule involves preparing the optional garnish and then building the drink:
Make the Sugared Cranberries (Optional Garnish – Plan Ahead!)
- (If making this beautiful garnish, especially when fresh cranberries are in season): In a small saucepan, I bring ½ cup of water and ½ cup of the granulated sugar to a boil, stirring for about thirty seconds until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- I remove the pan from the heat and stir in the 1 (12 ounce) bag of fresh cranberries, ensuring they are all completely coated in the simple syrup.
- Using a slotted spoon, I transfer the coated cranberries to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to let them dry and become tacky. This usually takes about an hour.
- Once they’re tacky, I roll the cranberries in the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar (spread on a plate), working in batches, until they are well coated.
- I transfer the sugared cranberries back to the wire rack and let them dry for at least another hour until the sugar coating is crisp. I store these in a cool, dry place.
Mix the Mule
- When I’m ready to make the drink, I fill my mule mug (a copper mug is traditional!) or a highball glass with plenty of ice.
- I add the vodka, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, and pear nectar directly into the mug over the ice.
- I top it off with the ginger beer.
- I give the drink a gentle stir to combine all the ingredients.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with lime, pear, and sugared cranberries.
- Serve immediately!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Moscow Mule Variation
Here are my secrets for making this Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule truly special:
- Use Fresh Lime Juice: Always essential for the best, brightest flavor in any mule or citrus cocktail.
- Quality Ginger Beer: Choose a good quality ginger beer with a nice spicy kick that you enjoy.
- Pear Nectar: Look for pear nectar (often in the juice aisle) as it’s typically thicker and more concentrated in flavor than regular pear juice.
- Sugared Cranberries (Seasonal Treat): While optional, the homemade sugared cranberries truly elevate this drink for festive occasions when fresh cranberries are available.
- Don’t Over-Stir: Stir gently after adding the ginger beer to combine without losing too much carbonation.
How to Serve
This Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule is best served immediately while icy cold and bubbly! Enjoy it:
- In a Copper Mug: The traditional vessel for Moscow Mules, which helps keep the drink extra cold.
- Garnished Beautifully: With fresh pear slices, lime wedges, and a handful of the homemade sugared cranberries.
- For Holiday Parties: A perfect signature cocktail for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve (plan ahead for cranberry season!).
- As a Festive Winter/Fall Drink: The cranberry and pear notes make it ideal for cooler weather celebrations.
- Year-Round Twist: Using good quality bottled cranberry juice and pear nectar makes it accessible anytime for a unique mule.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Sugared Cranberries: Can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Cocktail: Moscow Mules are best made fresh to order to ensure the ginger beer is bubbly and the drink is perfectly chilled. Pre-batching the base (vodka, juices, nectars) without ice or ginger beer is possible for parties, but add ice and ginger beer to individual servings.
FAQs about Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule
- What if I can’t find pear nectar?
- You can substitute with a good quality pear juice, though it might be thinner and less intensely flavored. You could also try another fruit nectar like apricot or even unsweetened applesauce (which will change the flavor profile significantly).
- Can I use a different type of alcohol?
- While vodka is classic for a Moscow Mule, gin would add a botanical note, or a light rum could also work for a different twist on this Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule.
- Are fresh cranberries necessary for the drink itself?
- No, the recipe calls for cranberry juice in the drink. The fresh cranberries are for the optional (but highly recommended for festive occasions) sugared cranberry garnish. If making out of season, use 100% cranberry juice and omit the fresh garnish or use alternative garnishes.
Enjoy this festive, flavorful, and surprisingly easy Spiced Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule! It’s a wonderful twist on a classic cocktail.
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Cranberry Pear Moscow Mules
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Beverage, Booze, Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Description
A festive and refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this version incorporates cranberry juice, pear nectar, and a garnish of sugared cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a special cocktail.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sugared Cranberries (Optional Garnish – Makes Extra):
- 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
For the Moscow Mule (per serving):
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 2 ounces pear nectar (see notes)
- 3 ounces ginger beer, chilled
- Ice cubes
Garnishes for Mule:
- Lime slices or wedges
- Thin pear slices
- Sugared Cranberries (from recipe above)
Instructions
1. Make the Sugared Cranberries (Optional Garnish – Allow Drying Time):
- Bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring for about 30 seconds until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat and stir in the 12 ounces of fresh cranberries until completely coated.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the coated cranberries to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Let them dry for at least 1 hour until sticky.
- Place the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the sticky cranberries in the sugar, working in batches, until well coated.
- Transfer the sugared cranberries back to the wire rack and let them dry for at least another hour until the sugar coating is hardened. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
2. Make the Cranberry Pear Moscow Mule:
- Prepare Mug/Glass: Fill a copper Moscow Mule mug or a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Add Ingredients: Pour the vodka, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, and pear nectar into the prepared mug/glass.
- Top with Ginger Beer: Top off the drink with chilled ginger beer.
- Stir Gently: Stir gently with a bar spoon or stirrer just to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish: Garnish with thin pear slices, sugared cranberries, and a lime slice or wedge.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pear Nectar: Pear nectar is typically found in the juice aisle and is thicker and more concentrated than pear juice. If you can only find pear juice, the flavor might be less intense.
- Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice. If using cranberry juice cocktail (which is sweetened), you might want to reduce or omit any added sweeteners in other parts of a recipe if adapted.
- Ginger Beer: Choose a good quality ginger beer with a nice spicy kick.
- Sugared Cranberries: This is an optional garnish that adds a festive touch. They require several hours of drying time.
- Serving: Moscow Mules are traditionally served in copper mugs, which help keep the drink very cold.
- Storage: The cocktail is best enjoyed immediately. Store leftover sugared cranberries as noted.