This cranberry mule mocktail recipe is perfect for when you want a fun beverage, but you don’t feel like having any alcohol. It’s full of cranberry flavor thanks to a splash of cranberry juice and a homemade cranberry simple syrup.

It’s a riff on a virgin Moscow mule mocktail, which is another favorite mocktail of mine! This recipe was inspired by my Yule Mule recipe, which is a cranberry Moscow mule created as a festive Christmas cocktail. This version uses this homemade cranberry simple syrup to give cheery flavor to a classic cocktail. But it’s not just for the holiday season, this cranberry mule mocktail is sure to lift your spirits during any time of year!
As someone who has been developing cocktails for over a decade, I’ve often had the task of creating zero-proof drinks that look like their boozy counterparts. While there is no shame in not imbibing, sometimes you just don’t want to explain to nosey people why you’re not drinking (no, Aunt Nancy, we still aren’t having kids 😮💨).
why this cranberry mocktail recipe works:
💥 tart & zingy. Cranberry simple syrup gives this beverage a burst of tangy flavor that complements the lime juice and ginger beer in the recipe! The final result is sweet, tart, and tangy!
⏱️ quick & easy. This cranberry ginger beer mocktail comes together in a matter of minutes. It’s also a great recipe to make with kids in the kitchen!
🙌 perfect for anyone. This is the perfect drink for everyone, whether they’re looking for an alcohol-free option or want a tasty and vibrant drink. It’s the perfect holiday movie night mocktail, because everyone loves holding the classic copper mule mugs!
🛒 ingredients
for the drink
for the garnsh
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
Step 1: Fill your mule mugs with ice to chill the glasses.
Step 2: Juice one lime to get 1/2 ounce of lime juice and add it to the mule mug.
Step 3: Add the cranberry juice to the mule mug and the cranberry simple syrup.
Step 4: Pour 1 ounce of alcohol alternative into your chilled cocktail glass.
Step 5: Carefully add in 5-7 drops of bitters.
Step 6: Give your cocktail a stir.
Step 7: Top with ginger beer to fill the glass.
Step 8: Garnish with a few cranberries and a dehydrated lime wheel. Serve immediately.
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- holiday gatherings – Serve this mocktail at a holiday party as a booze-free option to your guests. This way, no one will know who’s drinking and who’s not. 😜 I served this at Thanksgiving one year and EVERYONE loved it, even though there was no alcohol!
- movie marathons – Host a holiday movie marathon with your zero-proof cranberry mules!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- too sweet – if your drink is too sweet, you can add an extra dash or two of bitters to mellow things out.
- not cranberry enough – if you are craving even MORE of a cranberry flavor, you can add in more cranberry juice and less ginger beer.
- too tart – cranberries are tart fruits, and lime can be very acidic as well. If your drink is too tart, add in more cranberry simple syrup or gingerbeer to balance things out.
⚖️ scaling tips
pitcher recipe
This recipe is super easy to scale up for a party! If you want to make a large batch of these mocktails, you can mix the base of juices and simple syrup together in a pitcher first, then add ginger beer just before serving. Then, you can pour each mocktail into a mug straight from the pitcher!
punch bowl
You can also mix the ingredients in a punch bowl for a big batch if you’re hosting a party! Mix the juices and simple syrup together first, then add the ginger beer just before your guests arrive. You can also freeze water inside a large bowl to make a mega ice cube to float in the center of your punch bowl!
♻️ substitutions & variations
- herby – use a sprig of rosemary or fresh mint to garnish this drink, and substitute the cranberry simple syrup for rosemary simple syrup or mint simple syrup for a burst of herbaceous flavor closer to this spiked Yule Mule recipe!
- orange – cranberry and orange are a classic holiday flavor combination! Add a splash of orange juice and garnish the drink with an orange slice instead of lime for this citrusy holiday twist!
- sparkling water or club soda – if you don’t have ginger beer, can’t find it, or aren’t a fan of the flavor, you can substitute club soda or sparkling water. It won’t have the same gingery bite, but it’ll still be delicious!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 can I store a cranberry moscow mule mocktail?
This mocktail is best served right away while the ginger beer is still super bubbly. If you absolutely need to store it, use a bottle with a tight stopper and be careful when opening it later; those bubbles can build up pressure! Don’t keep it longer than 24 hours if you want to maintain maximum bubbliness.
💬 q+a
Why are they called Moscow mules?
Moscow mules were not invented in Russia, contrary to popular belief. It’s said the original mule was invented in LA in the 1940’s. The cocktail was named because American’s associated vodka with Russia, and the ginger beer had a “kick like a mule.” The Smirnoff company marketed the beverage and the rest is history.
What is the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?
Ginger beer used to contain alcohol when it was first made, because it was made by fermenting ginger root. Nowadays, it’s all nonalcoholic. But authentic ginger beer has real ginger added to it and is bolder and spicier as a result. Ginger ale is usually ginger flavored soda, totally artificial!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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Cranberry Mule Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drink)
Wanna save this recipe for later? 📬
Equipment
- 1 cocktail glass of choice mule mug or highball glass
Ingredients
For the Drink
- 1 ounce alcohol alternative such as Seedlip Spice 94
- 1 ounce cranberry simple syrup
- 7 dashes non-alcoholic citrus bitters about 1/2 tsp of a brand such as All The Bitter or Dram
- .5 ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces cranberry juice unsweetened
- 4 ounces ginger beer Betty Buzz brand, recommended
For the Garnish
- fresh whole cranberries for garnish
- dehydrated lime wheels for garnish
Instructions
- Fill your mule mugs with ice to chill the glasses.
- Add in 1 ounce of alcohol alternative to your cocktail glass.
- Juice one lime to get 1/2 ounce of lime juice and add it to the mule mug.
- Add the cranberry juice to the mule mug.
- Add in the cranberry simple syrup.
- Carefully add in 1/2 tsp of bitters (7 dashes or 20 drops)
- Give your cocktail a stir with a cocktail spoon.
- Top with ginger beer to fill the glass.
- Garnish with a few cranberries skewered on a cocktail pick and a dehydrated lime wheel. Serve immediately.