A skinny Pomegranate Moscow Mule is a spin on a classic Moscow Mule perfect for a holiday party! This seasonal mule is full of spicy ginger beer, fresh lime juice, vodka, a splash of pomegranate juice for a light refreshing skinny cocktail.
We love a classic mule any time of year but a ginger pomegranate mule is a perfect holiday cocktail. The addition of pomegranate juice brings a touch of sweetness to the original Moscow mule ingredients.
Fresh pomegranate juice (a favorite winter fruit) makes this a perfect winter cocktail for cold winter nights. It's refreshing and bright in flavor. Also ginger calms the stomach so it's perfect with a large holiday meal!
The main ingredients of the cocktail are the same as a good Moscow mule with the addition of a splash of pomegranate juice! This vodka-based cocktail is a fun drink any time and popular cocktail for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine's Day too.
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What makes it skinny?
- Using reduced calorie ginger beer. A traditional Moscow Mule can have up to 8 ounces of regular ginger beer which can add more calories to the cocktail.
- Using a calorie-reduced version can reduce those calories to zero depending on the brand used. No flavor compromises for the skinny mule either!
- Alcoholic drinks typically have 1 ½ to 2 ounces of alcohol in a serving. We've kept it at 1 ½ ounces of vodka which shaves some of the calories off too.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
Vodka. Use unflavored plain vodka for this recipe. We recommend using a good quality vodka; the quality of the liquor will affect how you feel when you drink it!
Light Ginger Beer. Non-alcoholic ginger beer is a carbonated drink that's a gingery refreshing mixer. It's similar to ginger ale but with a stronger ginger flavor and a classic ingredient in Moscow mules.
For this skinny version use calorie-reduced ginger beer (light ginger beer, diet ginger beer etc.). Our favorite brand choices listed below. Diet ginger ale can be substituted if desired (see Variations for a tip).
Pomegranate juice. Pomegranate juice gives this cocktail the festive twist for the holiday season and a nice kick of antioxidants.
Lime juice. Use freshly squeezed lime juice (fresh citrus really makes a difference in the flavor). Hand squeeze limes or use a hand held juicer to extract more juice and strain out the seeds.
Ice cubes
Pomegranate seeds (arils). Use fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish is desired.
Mint leaves. These make a festive garnish (optional).
Best Low Calorie Ginger Beer
Ginger beer gives the traditional ginger flavor and some fizz to this cocktail. Spicy ginger beer has a far stronger ginger flavor than ginger ale which is why it’s used. You'll want calorie-reduced (light ginger beer, diet ginger beer, etc.)
To make this cocktail true to the authentic flavor selecting a lower calorie ginger beer with great flavor and with the best ingredients possible. We didn't want sugar replacements with funky flavor.
We did a lot of taste testing to settle on our top picks and loved the details shared in this article too. Here are our top picks for ginger flavor and calorie value (none taste like diet drinks by the way):
- Reed's Craft Ginger Beer Zero Sugar Extra. Made with fresh ginger, a combination of sweeteners including monk fruit and stevia leaf extract, it has a strong ginger flavor and is calorie free ginger beer. Calories: 0
- Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer. Made with natural extracts, no artificial sweeteners, mild fizziness. Calories: 38 (for a 6.8 ounce bottle)
- Q Light Ginger Beer. Uses agave and ginger extract for a distinct ginger flavor. Calories: 40 (for one 7.5 ounce can)
Using a Copper Mug
You'll notice this classic cocktail is always served in copper cups. This dates back to the origin of the cocktail recipe itself.
One version of the cocktail origin pairs a struggling vodka producer with a struggling ginger beer maker who paired up to concoct the now well-known cocktail which they served in a copper mug and that stuck.
The other version adds in a woman who made copper mugs to the creation of the cocktail that has grown to be one of the most popular cocktails in the world.
You can make this spicy cocktail in regular glasses. I purchased some copper mugs I love and swear they keep the cocktail colder and more refreshing.
How to make a Skinny Pomegranate Moscow Mules
No cocktail shaker is needed for this delicious Pomegranate Moscow mule! The easy recipe makes it a great drink for gatherings or a party.
Garnish with fresh pomegranate arils and a sprig of fresh mint. Or add a slice of lime or lime wedges.
Variations
Use pomegranate vodka. For an extra hit of pomegranate in this pomegranate yule mule use pomegranate vodka.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary. This makes a great holiday look. Rosemary has a strong flavor that will infuse into the drink if left in the holiday Moscow mule giving it an earthy flavor so pop it in at the last minute if you choose to garnish with this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though a typical Moscow mule recipe uses copper mugs you can also make these in a highball glass.
Determine the number of servings you need. Combine the vodka, lime juice and pomegranate juice ahead of time and keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Chill the ginger beer separately. When ready to serve add the ginger beer and ice to a large pitcher (or serve by the glass). Adding the ginger beer early will cause it to go flat so add it at the last minute to keep the refreshing fizz in these festive drinks!
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Recipe
Skinny Pomegranate Moscow Mule cocktail
Ingredients
- ice
- 3 ounces unflavored vodka
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 ounces pomegranate juice
- 12-16 ounces low calorie ginger beer we used Reeds Zero Sugar Extra ginger beer
Instructions
- Fill two 16-ounce copper mugs with ice. Divide the vodka between the mugs (1 ½ ounces each) and add the lime juice (½ ounce per mug).ice, 3 ounces unflavored vodka, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Divide the pomegranate juice (2 ounces per mug) between the two mugs. Give it a stir.4 ounces pomegranate juice
- Fill with reduced calorie ginger beer. Garnish with lime slice (optional).12-16 ounces low calorie ginger beer
Notes
- Reed's Craft Ginger Beer Zero Sugar Extra. Made with fresh ginger, a combination of sweeteners including monk fruit and stevia leaf extract, it has a strong ginger flavor and is calorie free ginger beer. Calories: 0
- Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer. Made with natural extracts, no artificial sweeteners, mild fizziness. Calories: 38 (for a 6.8 ounce bottle)
- Q Light Ginger Beer. Uses agave and ginger extract for a distinct ginger flavor. Calories: 40 (for one 7.5 ounce can)
Tara G says
My new favorite cocktail! My friend and I made them last night and they are delicious. So easy and festive too!
Kathie says
So refreshing and delicious! A great Fall inspired cocktail.
Nancy says
Wow this was super vibrant. Everyone love it. Instant hit.
gunjan says
Found your mule recipe just in time. I made this tonight for friends and everyone loved it.
Gina Abernathy says
I had to make this drink last night mainly because I loved the name of it. This was quite refreshing. I like skinny drinks- less guilt.
Shadi says
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!