Rosemary Cranberry Mule

I have a mule obsession! Why? Well, as much as I love wine and beer, wine gives me a headache (sigh) and beer can make me feel bloated (sigh again). Because of the sugar in these, I need to limit them, but when I am in for a treat, this is what I reach for! This Christmas I was inspired my a fellow fummer and her blog, the Riegl Palate. She made an amazing cranberry-rosemary simple syrup to add to Prosecco (which I did and loved). However, when I added it to a mule, I was really in heaven and the rosemary flavor popped even more!

What is not to like about a mule? With ginger beer as its base, you are in for a mixture of sugar, spice, and bubbles with each sip. More often than not I mix up a Kentucky Mule (Bulleit Bourbon instead of Vodka as its base), and if I am feeling wild and crazy, I add in some strawberries.

Note: You may ONLY use GINGER BEER for mules. Ginger-ale WILL NOT cut it. Do you hear me? Ginger beer only (and yes, it is made non-alcoholic). There is a special je ne sais quoi about it that will not come through with any other mixer. I typically buy Gosling’s, or when I can find it, Barritt’s. You can find these at either the grocery story (usually the best price) or in the mixer section of your local liquor store (usually more pricey there).

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If I am in the mood for vodka, I go for Tito’s Vodka, ginger beer, and usually I cheat with the limes and add Nellie & Joes’ Key West Lime Juice.

Another recent rendition? A Kentucky Peach mule, which I will save for another (summery) day!

Anywho: Making the rosemary cranberry simple syrup is really quite easy! Don’t get scared and just follow Nicole’s direction here. A couple of notes.

• The sugar dissolves faster than you think!
• Watch for boil overs! They are pretty, but a mess!
• Make sure you make this recipe ahead of time! The magic happens when you take your mixture off the stove and let your flavors meld. Give yourself a few hours.
• Make sure you have a good strainer on hand. I love this type. I sit the large one over a bowl (preferably one with a spout) and use a wood spoon to mash all the liquid through.
• Store your syrup in a mason jar. (These also make really pretty hostess gifts!)

What next? Let’s make that Rosemary-Cranberry Mule already!!!

1. Grab a 10-12 oz glass (or a copper mug if you have one!). Fill it with ice cubes.
2. Add 1 shot of vodka (I like Tito’s).
3. Add 2 teaspoons of Nicole’s rosemary-cranberry simple syrup.
4. Fill with ginger beer. Stir. Sip. Enjoy. If you want more rosemary cranberry flavor, go ahead, add another teaspoon!
5. If you want to be extra creative, garnish with a sprig of rosemary. (In this picture, I was not feeling extra-creative . . . I just wanted my drink . . . which you can tell I sipped on a few times before I remembered to take a pic!).

Enjoy! If you are coming to my home for NYE, get ready to try one!

Xoxo