Cranberry Ginger Mule
Hello friends!
I wanted to do something a little different for this blog post so I decided to partner with my sister, my friend Symone, owner at Blended Spirits Mobile Bartending! I have always wanted to create a cocktail that was on the more healthier side! So I decided to put together some fresher ingredients and have my girl mix them up and change things up where it was needed and boy did we come up with a masterpiece!
I created this healthier cocktail option for those of you on a health journey! This mule is without the excess sugar and carbs. Why waste your carbs on liquor when you should be wasting it on food for the quick energy you need lol! (Say it with me… .CARBS ARE GOOD!)
Mules have become one of my favorite cocktails to enjoy and when paired with kombucha, another favorite beverage of mine, it’s like a match made in heaven. Add some fresh cranberries, mint, fresh orange juice and a little honey and you’ve got yourself one delicious Cranberry Ginger Mule – perfect for skipping out on happy hour and enjoying Friday evening at home with a tasty cocktail.
Say bye bye to sugary cocktails!!
A traditional mule contains about 24 grams of cane sugar per 8-10 oz. drink. To put that into perspective that’s 6 teaspoons of sugar!! No thanks. So rest assured, you won’t be consuming that amount of sugar with this Cranberry Ginger Mule. Instead of adding all.that.sugar, I’ve made this cocktail less sweet, but still sweet enough, thanks to the fresh cranberries being stewed in hot water and honey and sparkling kombucha – coming in at just 8 grams of sugar per serving. Much better!
You should want your cocktails to be less than 10 g of sugar!
Kombucha makes for a great low-sugar mixer!
Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains gut-healthy probiotic bacteria. While there is some sugar used when making kombucha, most of it is gobbled up by the healthy bacteria. In this Cranberry Ginger Mule recipe, I used Health Ade Ginger Lemon Kombucha, but many flavors would work so feel free to choose what sounds best to you. I do recommend looking at the grams of sugar in the kombucha that you choose as some do contain extra sugar to make it more sweet. I look for one with 10 or less grams per serving. When it comes to using a kombucha as a “mixer,” the options are endless!
I can’t forget to mention that you can have this mule with a vodka or whiskey! Can’t go wrong with either one!
Now a few words from Symone…
For those of you who think like me, the idea of skipping yummy, refreshing drinks to maintain a certain body just doesn’t sit right! Especially with summer right around the corner. Luckily, there’s definitely a way to mix nutrition with pleasure when it comes to what you’re sipping on, all while not having to break your pockets at the same time. Here are three simple tips and tricks that will help boost the taste and health benefits to your homemade cocktails!
FRESH FRUITS
- Anytime you can add fresh fruit to a cocktail, you’re adding flavor via a healthier sugar than something artificial like soda. Some popular options are lime, lemon (citrus is also detoxifying), blueberry or orange slices; and watermelon is amazing in a light beer.
HERBS
- Some of the best cocktails are filled with herbs...like the mojito! Mint is a great healthy addition to almost any cocktail, especially if it’s organic. Other tasty options include basil, rosemary and lavender—each bring their own set of flavors and benefits.
HONEY/HOMEMADE SIMPLE SYRUP
- Next time a cocktail recipe calls for any added sugar/simple syrup, try replacing the store bought syrup with your very own! Don’t worry, it’s more simple than you think! Simply mix 1/2 cup of sugar in hot water...WALLA, you have your very own simple syrup! You can also try using a raw honey as a sweetener as well just like we did because Kayla was just not going for me adding in cane sugar lol!
Yours Truly,
Blended Spirits!
You would think my girl is a Dietitian with the nutrition facts she throwing out!
I hope you’re ready to kick back and enjoy this cold, refreshing, Cranberry Ginger Mule!
INGREDIENTS
4 mint leaves, stems removed
1 cup fresh cranberries, stewed
2 clementine oranges, juiced (navel orange works the same)
4 oz. vodka or Jack Daniels
12 oz. kombucha (recommended Health Ade Ginger Lemon)
2 tbsp raw honey
1 cup ice
cranberries and mint leaves for garnish, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
In a small saucepan add enough water just to cover the bottom and the cranberries and honey and stew them just long enough for them to get soft. Sit aside for two minutes to cool.
in a small bowl, muddle the mint leaves and cranberies. Can also puree in a blender or food processor.
Add the puree to a cocktail shaker along with 6 oz. of kombucha, 4 oz. of vodka or whiskey, and the juice from the orange. (you may have to divide it up depending on how big your shaker is) Fill the rest with ice.
Shake, shake, shake and divide the mule into two glasses, garnish and sip.
Notes: This recipe makes two servings.
If you try this recipe tag me on Instagram and tell me your favorite part about it!!
XO Kayla