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Spicy, sweet, and delicious, this Frosted Spicy Ginger Moscow Mule is the perfect icy holiday cocktail. Mixed simply with a homemade ginger syrup, fresh winter grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and vodka. Then blended simply with ice and topped off with ginger beer. This drink is both festive and warming, ideal for these cold December nights. Make the single version for yourself. Or make the punch version to serve to family and friends…everyone loves an icy Moscow Mule! It’s that sweet and spicy combo that keeps them coming back for more.
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There’s really nothing that excites me more right now than sharing these Christmas drinks with you guys. And just like in years past, I’m having so much fun with these drinks. I really love doing them up because… ’tis the season!
This Moscow Mule is no exception. It’s actually so simple, yet it feels extra special with that spicy jalapeño ginger kick and sugared cranberries on top.
The idea for this drink is a little cheesy, but it was inspired by the snowy North Pole on a super cold winter night. Names for this drink have included the Naughty Elf, Santa’s Spicy Mule, Chris Kringle’s Spicy Mule…and the list went on. Anything revolving around the North Pole. I stuck with a simple name, but kept the idea for a wintery mule.
The details
This cocktail is simple as can be. Start with the spicy honey simple syrup. In a small saucepan, just simmer honey with jalapeños and ginger to infuse the honey with flavor. I don’t usually make a syrup when making a mule, but since we’re blending this up, a syrup made the most sense.
Once you have the syrup, make the drink. Find yourself a blender, grab lots of ice, add everything in, then blend, blend, blend.
Pour into a copper mug, then top them off with ginger beer. SIMPLE, super festive, and so very GOOD.
For a sweet and festive touch, I love finishing with sugared cranberries, pomegranates, and mint. Completely optional, but they add a nice “sparkle” to each drink. I make mine using maple syrup instead of just sugar. The maple syrup provides a delicious flavor and makes these festive cranberries super easy to make.
I then finish with one of the leftover jalapeño slices from the honey syrup.
This drink takes only minutes to make but always turns out looking so impressive…and extra pretty in a copper mule mug. I cannot wait to make this for my family over Christmas. Aside from margaritas (and a good old fashioned), Moscow mules are a favorite. My family is already looking forward to this one.
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Lastly, if you make this Frosted Spicy Ginger Moscow Mule, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Frosted Spicy Ginger Moscow Mule Punch
Ingredients
- 1/4-1/3 cup honey, use more or less to taste
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced
- 6 slices fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 1/2 cups grapefruit (about 4 grapefruits), (about 4-6 limes)
- 1 cup lime juice , (about 4-6 limes)
- 3-4 cups ice
- 4 (12 ounce) ginger beers, for topping
- pomegranate and sugar cranberries (recipe below) for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the ginger honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, jalapeños, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the mint. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. This makes enough for 6-8 drinks.2. In a blender, combine the vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and jalapeño ginger syrup. Add the ice and blend until slushy. Pour into Moscow Mule mugs and top off with ginger beer. Garnish with sugared cranberries and mint.
SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- 1. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment lined baking sheet.2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Frosted Spicy Ginger Moscow Mule
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1. To make the ginger honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, jalapeños, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the mint. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. This makes enough for 6-8 drinks.2. In a blender, combine the vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and 2-3 tablespoons jalapeño ginger syrup. Add the ice and blend until slushy. Pour into Moscow Mule mugs and top off with ginger beer. Garnish with sugared cranberries and mint.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Tried this last night and it was a real hit! Sooo good and festive! And really fun to make!
Hey Karyl,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
I truly adore this version of the Moscow Mule.
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com/
Thanks!
This looks so good! Would I be able to use ground ginger instead of fresh? Or would it throw off the recipe?
Hey Allie,
Ground ginger would be okay to use. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
My family doesn’t like vodka. Do you think swapping vodka with Jameson would work?
Hi Meghan,
I would probably do something like gin or tequila. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
Those cranberries are beautiful! How long will they keep after sugaring them? Do you reccomend freezing them?
Hey Maddie,
They would probably last for a week or so, I have never tried freezing them. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! Cheers! xTieghan
Will this still taste the same if served on ice instead of blending?
I think it will be just as great!
Where are your moscow mule glasses from? I love them!
Hey Kelly,
Here is the link for the mule mugs:
https://www.burkedecor.com/collections/all/products/heavy-copper-mug
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I have a Margaritaville Frozen Margarita machine and wondering if you have any insight if you could use the recipe as is in it?! I would love that!
Hey Stefanie,
So sorry I don’t! Let me know if you give it a try:) Cheers! xTieghan
Recipe looks amazing! If I don’t want to serve blended – is it okay to shake and pour over ice? Any adjustments needed to the ingredient portions?
Hey Mel,
Totally! No adjustments needed:) I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
It was delicious and came out great as outlined over ice! I can’t believe how easy the syrup was to make. Thank you!
Hey Mel,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Looks so good! Could you do this with pomegranate juice?
Hey Shay,
Totally, pomegranate juice would also work well here. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
These look amazing! Any suggestions for making a mocktail version of this? Thanks!
Hey Lisa,
Just skip the vodka and use more ginger beer. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Could I make everything the day before? Or is it better fresh? Thank you!
Hi Emily,
You will definitely want to wait to add the ginger beer:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
Looks SO amazing! Going to make tonight. For the fresh ginger – is this ginger root that I just slice pieces off of? Or pre sliced ginger?
Hey Katie,
I used ginger root and sliced the pieces. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. Cheers! xTieghan
Made it last night and it was a hit!! Flavors were incredible. Making the punch version for our Christmas and NYE parties. Thanks!
Hey Katie,
Wonderful! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! Have the best week:) xTieghan
I love drinking cocktails, but I don’t normally make them. This might be a stupid question, apologies in advance, but how much ginger beer do you use to top it off? Like 1/4 cup per glass? It looks delicious and I don’t want to screw it up. Thanks!
Not a dumb question! I usually top drinks off with however much is needed to fill the glass to the top. As long as you’re not using a huge amount, which would turn the drink into basically soda. But anywhere from like 2-5 ounces of ginger beer is going to work well.
Hey Michelle,
It really doesn’t need to be exact, but yes 1/4 cup would probably be a great amount to use! I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xTieghan
What substitution do you suggest in place of grapefruit juice?
Hi Marni,
You could really use any other fruit juice that you enjoy. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
Looks delicious! Where did you find those beautiful copper mugs?
Thanks Angela! Here is the link for the mugs:
https://www.burkedecor.com/collections/all/products/heavy-copper-mug
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I would also love to have these mugs. Please share details.
Hey Jamie,
Here’s the link:
https://www.burkedecor.com/collections/all/products/heavy-copper-mug
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I love the mug….would you please share the source. Have a great day!
Hey Susan,
Here is the link for the mugs:
https://www.burkedecor.com/collections/all/products/heavy-copper-mug
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan