Non-Alcoholic Holiday Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail with ginger beer and vodka. But if you’re the one driving home from Christmas celebrations, maybe you want to come up with some ways to celebrate without the buzz from booze. Try this non-alcoholic Moscow Mule recipe as a party drink for an inclusive bar cart this holiday season.

Using a Vodka Alternative for a Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule

Now, I know what you’re thinking. There is no reason to drink vodka other than the alcohol. It lacks some of the flavor complexity of other liquors. But while it does have a rich and interesting history in Eastern Europe, much of that history is centered around one goal: efficient delivery of alcohol into your bloodstream. It’s better to think of non-alcoholic spirit alternatives not as things you drink on their own, like a shot. Instead, consider non-alcoholic vodka as an alternative that will allow you to enjoy the flavor of a Moscow Mule without the fogginess in your brain afterward. We’ve used CleanCo’s Clean V vodka alternative as a vehicle for the delicious ginger beer, sparkling apple cider, and cranberry flavors to develop more body.

Ready for more alcohol-free options? We have a list of our Best Mocktails of 2024 just for you.

Holiday Mule

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• Author: Sarah Cascone

Print Recipe

Description

Enjoy a headache-free holiday drink.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 oz CleanCo Vodka Alternative
• ¼ oz cranberry juice
• ¼ oz sparkling apple cider
• About 7 oz ginger beer
• Sugared cranberries *recipe below

For the sugared cranberries: 

• ½ cup Prepared citrus simple syrup *recipe below
• 3 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup Turbinado Sugar

For citrus simple syrup

• 1 lemon 
• 1 Cara Cara orange 
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup filtered water

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Instructions

1. Build your beverage in a Mule cup filled about 3/4th with ice.
2. Pour the vodka alternative in, add in cranberry juice, add in sparkling apple cider and stir.
3. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with 3 sugared cranberries on a pick.

For sugared cranberries

1. Rinse and dry the cranberries. Warm up your prepared Citrus Simple to a low simmer. (Do not include citrus fruits.)
2. Add the cranberries and remove from heat. Let the cranberries sit in the syrup, stirring them to fully coat them, for about 1 minute.
3. Using a slotted spoon remove your cranberries and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Let the cranberries dry for about an hour. Then roll the cranberries in the turbinado sugar.

For citrus simple syrup

1. Add water and sugar to small saucepot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Zest the lemon and the orange and add zest into pot.
3. Squeeze juice of lemon and orange, add into pot and stir until mixed. Simmer on low for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add into an airtight jar.
5. Add zested and squeezed citrus. Let the mixture come to room temperature and store it in the refrigerator. Keeps for about a month.

Recipe by Sarah Cascone
Photography by Dave Bryce

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