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Easy Cranberry Moscow Mule for a Crowd: Best Holiday Punch

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This Easy Cranberry Moscow Mule for a Crowd is the kind of recipe that makes you look like a hero without breaking a sweat. It’s festive enough for Christmas Eve but casual enough for a Friendsgiving or New Year’s Eve bash.

Ingredients

  • Vodka (2 cups / 475 ml)
  • Cranberry Juice (4 cups / 950 ml)
  • Ginger Beer (4 cups / 950 ml)
  • Fresh Lime Juice (¾ cup / 180 ml)
  • Simple Syrup (¼ cup / 60 ml, optional)
  • Ice (a large block or several cups)
  • Fresh Cranberries (1 cup / 100 g, for garnish)
  • Lime Wheels (2 to 3 limes, sliced, for garnish)
  • Fresh Mint Sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Make the ice ring (optional but recommended): The night before, arrange fresh cranberries and lime wheels in the bottom of a Bundt pan or ring mold. Fill with water and freeze overnight. This creates a stunning ice ring that chills the punch without diluting it too quickly. If you forget, no worries—just use regular ice cubes.
  2. Juice the limes: Roll each lime firmly on the counter before cutting to release more juice. Cut them in half and juice them into a measuring cup. You need ¾ cup of fresh lime juice, which takes about 6 to 8 limes. Strain out any seeds with a fine-mesh sieve.
  3. Combine the liquids in the punch bowl: Pour the 2 cups of vodka, 4 cups of cranberry juice, 4 cups of ginger beer, and ¾ cup of fresh lime juice into your punch bowl. If you’re using simple syrup, add it now. Stir gently with a long spoon to combine everything evenly. The color should be a deep, vibrant ruby red.
  4. Add the ice: Carefully slide the ice ring or add your ice cubes to the punch bowl. If using a large ice ring, place it in gently so it doesn’t splash. The punch should be very cold within a few minutes.
  5. Garnish the punch: Scatter additional fresh cranberries on top of the ice. Arrange lime wheels around the surface of the punch. Add a few sprigs of fresh mint if you’re using them. This step is purely visual, but honestly, it makes the punch look like it belongs on a magazine cover.
  6. Serve immediately: Ladle the punch into cups or glasses, making sure each serving gets a few cranberries and a lime wheel. If you’re using a drink dispenser, open the spigot and let guests fill their own cups. Cheers!

Notes

If you’re making this for a party that lasts several hours, keep a bottle of ginger beer nearby to top off the punch as it gets low. The ice will melt over time and dilute the flavors, so a splash of fresh ginger beer per refill keeps the punch tasting bright and spicy. Always taste the cranberry juice before you buy it; some brands are more tart than others. Don’t skip the fresh lime juice. Let the punch sit for 5 minutes after adding the ice before serving to allow flavors to meld and carbonation to settle.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry moscow mule, holiday punch, easy punch recipe, crowd cocktail, christmas punch, new year's eve drink

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-cranberry-moscow-mule-for-a-crowd-best-holiday-punch/