Yule Mule
Thought I’d try something a little different today. I know I usually stick to retro cocktails, but since the holidays are coming and I’ve already done a lot of the classics from eggnog to a champagne cocktail, I thought I’d whip up my own this week.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed the Moscow Mule seems to have taken the bar scene by storm. I feel like every bar I walk into has the classic and at least one or two of their own version. So, I thought I’d join the party. If you look online you’ll find a lot of holiday themed Mules. Some are made with vodka, so they’re similar to the classic, others are made with rum. But they all seem to have lime and cranberry juices, two things that scream the holidays. I know bourbon may not seem like the obvious choice when it comes to cranberry juice and ginger beer, but when mixed together they’re actually quite delicious.
What makes this cocktail especially festive are the cranberries and the ginger beer. See, champagne is usually a common drink around the holidays because of its golden color and the bubbles. I mean, bubbles just make things more festive, don’t they? While there isn’t any champagne in this drink, you still get the golden color and the bubbles but this time they come from the ginger beer. So it’s the cranberries and ginger beer that turn this mule into the perfect drink for your next holiday party, Christmas Eve or even New Year’s Eve.
As most of you know, I’m a huge bourbon fan. I’ve tried plenty over the years and I definitely have my favorites. Recently I was lucky enough to taste Basil Hayden. Unlike some of the other bourbons out there the Basil Hayden has some spice thanks to the ample amount of rye mixed into the corn mash. It’s because of this spice that I chose the Basil Hayden for this cocktail. That spiciness melds quite well with the ginger beer. So, while you could use another bourbon, I think the Basil Hayden really is the perfect choice.
No matter which bourbon you choose though, if you’re a mule fan, and you prefer bourbon over vodka, this could definitely be your new favorite holiday drink. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still an eggnog fan, but the Yule Mule definitely comes in a close second.
Yule Mule
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 2 oz. cranberry juice
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 3 oz. ginger beer
Directions:
- Pour the bourbon, cranberry and lime juices into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until chilled, about 10 – 15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Float the ginger beer on top.
- Sprinkle with a few fresh cranberries and serve immediately.
