Capture the flavors of the holiday into one glass with the Thanksgiving Mule. With spiced rum, ginger beer, apple cider and cranberry juice, this fall harvest spin on the classic is a crowd-pleaser made for sharing and celebrating!
DISCLAIMER
*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
About this Thanksgiving Mule recipe
Moscow mules are some of my and my readers’ favorite recipes — as evidenced by more than 30 on the site — and it’s easy to see why. They’re simple to make, so even inexperienced home bartenders can whip them up. They’re versatile, so you can use what you have and skip an extra trip to the store, and they work as mocktails too. And maybe most importantly, they’re delicious!
One of my most popular recipes this time of year is the Yule Mule. I figured that November deserves its own drink rather than rushing straight into Christmas, and thus this Thanksgiving Mule was born!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Allows seasonal ingredients to shine. This mule embraces fall flavors for a drink that is perfect to enjoy all season.
- It’s flexible. Use what you have in your bar to craft your drink, no extra trips to the store needed.
- Perfect for holidays. This drink feels special enough to serve on Thanksgiving and beyond!
Ingredients & essentials
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
When it comes to mixing mules, the best part is that they’re flexible! I’ll share my recipe, but you can always tweak it to fit your preferences.
Although the classic mule stars vodka, this fall variation allows spiced rum to take center stage. It adds additional notes that speak to fall’s cozy vibe and compliments the rest of the drink flawlessly. Keep reading to hear about my favorites!
Much like the classic recipe, lime juice brings brightness to this seasonal sip. I always recommend fresh squeezed juice whenever possible. I find it brings a better flavor as the store-bought alternatives can be more bitter.
Apple cider and cranberry juice work hand in hand, bringing sweet and tart notes. It’s an unexpected combination that creates a drink that’s both cozy and refreshing, perfect for both warm and cool fall days! I recommend using unsweetened cranberry juice. The apple cider and ginger beer already add plenty of sweetness, so 100% juice keeps the drink balanced.
It’s hard to picture a mule without ginger beer (although they do exist). Ginger beer ranges from sweeter to spicier, depending on your tastes. If you need some help, I’ve taste tested plenty to guide your choice.
Embrace the colors of the season with dehydrated citrus (you can make your own of that too!), plus fresh cranberries and rosemary, which make a beautiful garnish!
Best alcohol for mules
Before you begin, take a look at your bar cart *. Mules are flexible, so if you have a favorite bottle already it will likely work. Seriously, vodka, bourbon, rum, whiskey or tequila all work, so use whatever you like!
Personally, I use Captain Morgan spiced rum. It’s one I keep on my bar and I enjoy the sweet and spiced notes that it adds to this drink. If you have enough time, you could even make your own spiced rum (as a bonus, it makes a great gift too).
If you’re opting for something like plain rum or vodka, I recommend adding ½ to 1 ounce of spiced maple syrup. This will give you the coziness of the spiced rum and uses ingredients you already have.
Instructions
Grab your copper mugs * and get ready to sip a drink that embodies the best of fall!
- Fill your cocktail shaker * with ice. Then add the spiced rum, lime juice, cranberry juice and apple cider.
- Shake until your mixture is well chilled.
Spice it up. If you’re using plain rum or vodka in your drink, add some spiced maple syrup for the cozy notes that embody fall.
- Fill a copper mug (or other glass) with ice.
- Pour your drink over ice and garnish. Enjoy!
Tips & tricks
- Shake it well! This step is what cools your drink down to make it ready to enjoy.
- Make this for a group by multipling the spiced rum, lime juice, cranberry juice and apple cider by the number of servings and stir together in a pitcher. Add ginger beer just before serving.
- Use unsweetened cranberry juice. The apple cider and ginger beer already add plenty of sweetness, so 100% juice keeps the drink balanced.
Serving suggestions
Since this drinks stars so many favorite fall flavors (say that three times fast), it makes sense to compliment it with similar flavors.
Cranberry brie bites and holiday charcuterie boards are bites that are easy to share, making them great for a season filled with get-togethers. Sausage balls are a hearty compliment that can tide everyone over until the main meal.
If you need something that’s always a hit, this bacon ranch cheese ball disappears faster every time I bring it to a function. Pro tip: grab some when you set it down, otherwise you might miss out!
FAQ
Yes! Multiply the spiced rum, lime juice, cranberry juice and apple cider by the number of servings and stir together in a pitcher. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then pour over ice and top each glass with ginger beer just before serving so it stays fizzy.
Vodka, bourbon, whiskey, tequila or plain rum all work in place of the spiced rum. With plain rum or vodka, add ½ to 1 ounce of spiced maple syrup for the warm spice flavor.
Leave a comment or tap the ★★★★★ below to leave a rating — it helps others and supports our work. We love hearing how it turned out!
Thanksgiving Mule
ingredients
- 2 ounces spiced rum
- ¾ ounce lime juice fresh-squeezed from about 1 lime
- 1 ounce cranberry juice unsweetened
- 1 ounce apple cider
- ice for shaking and serving
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- 2 to 3 fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish (optional)
- 2 to 3 slices dehydrated citrus for garnish (optional)
- 1 slice dried apple for garnish (optional)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary for garnish (optional)
instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker * with ice. Add the spiced rum, lime juice, cranberry juice and apple cider. Shake until well chilled.2 ounces spiced rum, ¾ ounce lime juice, 1 ounce cranberry juice, ice, 1 ounce apple cider
- Fill a copper mule mug or old-fashioned glass * with ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass.ice
- Top with the ginger beer. Garnish with slices of dehydrated citrus and apple, plus cranberries and a rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.3 ounces ginger beer, 2 to 3 fresh or frozen cranberries, 2 to 3 slices dehydrated citrus, 1 sprig fresh rosemary, 1 slice dried apple
notes
Save this recipe for later
We’ll email a link to you, so you can come back to it whenever! Plus, you’ll get great new recipes and tips in your inbox each week.
recommended products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply