This Gingerbread Mule takes everything people love about a classic Moscow Mule – cold copper mug, spicy ginger beer, fresh lime – and layers in cozy gingerbread flavor for the holidays. We build this drink a lot at December events because it feels festive without being heavy and you can batch the base so the bartenders are mostly topping with ginger beer and garnishes.
Behind the bar we like to play up the aroma as much as the taste. A little homemade gingerbread syrup, good vodka and a squeeze of lime go into the mug with ice, then we top with fiery ginger beer and garnish with a cinnamon stick, lime wheel and sometimes a mini ginger cookie. Guests can smell it before they even take a sip, which is exactly what you want from a signature Christmas cocktail.
How to Make a Gingerbread Mule
- Make the gingerbread syrup. Combine the water, brown sugar, ginger slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, then let steep another 10 minutes. Strain into a jar and chill until ready to use.
- Prepare your mug. Fill a copper mule mug or rocks glass with ice. If you want a cookie rim, lightly coat the outer rim with a bit of gingerbread syrup and dip it into crushed ginger snaps before adding the ice.
- Build the cocktail. In a mixing glass or directly in the mug, add the vodka, gingerbread syrup and fresh lime juice over the ice. Stir briefly to combine and chill.
- Top with ginger beer. Slowly top the mug with chilled ginger beer. Give it one gentle stir so you do not lose all the bubbles.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a lime wheel, a cinnamon stick and a piece of candied ginger or a mini gingerbread cookie on the rim. Serve immediately while icy cold and fizzy.
Bartender notes
- For a stronger ginger snap flavor, increase the gingerbread syrup slightly and use an extra spicy ginger beer.
- At events we often pre batch the vodka, gingerbread syrup and lime in a labeled bottle, then pour 3 oz of that mix over ice and top with ginger beer to keep service fast during a rush.
- If your crowd prefers a little less sweetness, cut the gingerbread syrup back to 3/4 oz and add an extra splash of lime juice.
Gingerbread Mule Variations
- Gingerbread Rum Mule. Swap the vodka for aged rum or spiced rum for a warmer, molasses heavy profile. This variation leans a little closer to a gingerbread dark and stormy.
- Gingerbread Gin Mule. Use a London dry or citrus forward gin instead of vodka to add botanicals that play nicely with the spice. This is a great option for gin drinkers who still want a Christmas style mule.
- Creamy gingerbread mule. Replace 1/2 oz of the gingerbread syrup with Irish cream or RumChata for a dessert style drink that still has the bubbles from the ginger beer.
- Non alcoholic gingerbread mule. Use zero proof spirit or simply skip the vodka, then keep the gingerbread syrup, lime and ginger beer the same. The mug, garnish and aroma still feel celebratory for guests who are not drinking.
- Batch gingerbread mule for a crowd. In a pitcher, combine 2 cups vodka, 1 cup gingerbread syrup and 1/2 cup fresh lime juice. Keep chilled and pour 3 oz of the base over ice in each mug, then top with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer to order.
Serving Suggestions
Gingerbread Mules are ideal for holiday open houses, cookie exchanges and office parties where guests are mingling and want something familiar with a twist. Set out chilled copper mugs, big bowls of ice and pre sliced lime wheels on your bar. If you pre mix the base, you can show guests how to build their own mule and your bartender can float between refills and garnish.
Pair this cocktail with savory bites like baked brie, charcuterie boards and glazed cocktail meatballs, plus sweet treats like gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark. For more Christmas drink ideas, visit our Christmas cocktails guide.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Gingerbread syrup can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
- You can pre batch the vodka, gingerbread syrup and lime juice up to 24 hours ahead and keep it chilled. Wait to add ginger beer until right before serving.
- Once the ginger beer is added, Gingerbread Mules are best enjoyed immediately so the drink stays fizzy and cold.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 1 cocktail made with 2 oz vodka, 1 oz gingerbread syrup and 4 oz ginger beer. Values will change if you adjust sweetness, alcohol or mixer.
- Serving size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 230
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Sugar: 27 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
More Gingerbread and Holiday Mule Recipes
- Gingerbread Old Fashioned
- Gingerbread Gin Cocktail
- Gingerbread Martini
- RumChata Hot Cocoa
- Christmas Rum Punch
Planning a holiday party and not sure how much vodka, ginger beer and ice to buy for your mule bar setup? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to estimate bottles by guest count, then visit our bartender booking page if you would like our team to handle the mixing, garnishing and cleanup.
You can also browse more drink ideas in our cocktail recipes collection and the full Christmas cocktail recipes guide.
Gingerbread Mule FAQs
What is a Gingerbread Mule?
A Gingerbread Mule is a holiday spin on a classic Moscow Mule made with vodka, gingerbread syrup, fresh lime juice and ginger beer served over ice in a copper mug. It keeps the refreshing bubbles and lime from the original mule but adds warm baking spices from the gingerbread syrup and garnish.
How do you make a gingerbread rum cocktail version?
To make a gingerbread rum cocktail, swap the vodka for aged rum or spiced rum in this recipe. Combine 2 oz rum, 1 oz gingerbread syrup and 1/2 oz lime juice over ice, then top with ginger beer. The rum brings molasses, vanilla and spice notes that match the gingerbread flavors really well.
Is a Gingerbread Mule similar to a Moscow Mule?
Yes. A Gingerbread Mule is built the same way as a Moscow Mule – spirit, lime and fizzy mixer over ice in a copper mug – but uses gingerbread syrup for extra spice and holiday flavor. If you already love a classic mule, this is an easy seasonal upgrade that feels familiar but more festive.
Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer in a mule?
You can use ginger ale if that is what you have on hand, but the flavor will be lighter and sweeter. For the best mule, especially with bold gingerbread flavors, we recommend a good quality ginger beer so the spice stands up to the syrup and does not get lost.
How can I make a big batch of Gingerbread Mules for a party?
For a crowd, stir together 2 cups vodka, 1 cup gingerbread syrup and 1/2 cup fresh lime juice in a pitcher and keep it chilled. When guests arrive, fill mugs with ice, pour about 3 oz of the base into each mug and top with 3 to 4 oz of ginger beer. Garnish each drink with lime and cinnamon sticks so the look stays consistent.
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