Cranberry-Maple Mule
A pitcher of ginger beer, cranberry juice and lime sweetened with a cinnamon-and-star-anise maple syrup. Made without alcohol so everyone can share it; add vodka by the glass for grown-ups.
- Time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Built in glass
- Glass
- Copper mug
Ingredients
Amounts below make 6 servings (the full recipe).
- Maple syrup — ¾ cup, dark6 oz
- Cinnamon sticks3
- Star anise3
- Water — 1 cup, for the syrup8 oz
- Angostura bitters — aromatic bitters20 dashes (≈ 2 ½ tsp)
- Ginger beer — two 12-oz bottles3 cups (24 oz)
- Cranberry juice — 3½ cups cranberry juice cocktail3 ½ cups (28 oz)
- Lime juice — ¾ cup6 oz
- Salt1 pinch
Garnish: Lime wheel (6 slices), Cranberries, Rosemary sprig (6 sprigs)
Batching tip: mix everything except ice and sparkling mixers up to a few hours ahead and keep it chilled. Pour over fresh ice to serve. Add the bubbly part right before serving so it stays fizzy.
How to make it
- 1
Simmer the maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, star anise and water for a few minutes, then let it cool and steep. Strain.
- 2
In a large pitcher, combine the spiced syrup, bitters, ginger beer, cranberry juice, lime juice and salt.
- 3
Stir gently and serve over ice, garnished with lime, cranberries and rosemary.
Swap it: To make it a mule, add 1½ oz vodka to each glass. Aromatic bitters contain a trace of alcohol, so leave them out if you need it entirely alcohol-free.
Bar gear
Equipment for this drink
Tools you'll need
- JiggerA double-sided measure so every drink comes out the same. Look for one marked in ½ and ¼ oz.
- Bar spoonA long, thin spoon for stirring, layering and fishing out cherries.
- Citrus pressSqueezes fresh lemon and lime fast — fresh juice is the biggest upgrade you can make.
- Punch bowl & ladleLets guests serve themselves from a big batch.
Recommended glassware
- Copper mugThe traditional, frosty-cold mug for mules.
No shaker? A clean jar with a tight lid works. Build your home bar →
Recipe source: Bon Appétit (Jesse Szewczyk) — Cranberry-Maple Mule. Quantities and basic method are factual. Description and steps are original Mixistry copy. Last updated 2026-10-11.
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