Holiday Mule Food

HOLIDAY MULE

Steps:

• Make the rosemary-infused rum: Place a sprig of rosemary in each of two 16-ounce mason jars. Pour 2 cups rum into each jar and close tightly. Let infuse for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.
• Make the ginger syrup: In a small pot over medium heat, combine the sugar, ginger and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes, then strain. (You can also skip this step and use store-bought ginger syrup.)
• Mix each drink individually: Rub the rim of a copper cup with maple syrup, then dip in turbinado sugar. Fill a cocktail shaker with 1/4 cup ice. Add 1/4 cup rosemary-infused rum, 1/4 cup ginger syrup and 1/3 cup punch or soda. Stir, then add ice to the copper cup and pour in the drink. Squeeze a few lime slices into the drink, then garnish with a rosemary sprig, cherries and a slice of lime.

THANKSGIVING MULES

Steps:

• Put the dried cranberries in a small bowl and add enough simple syrup to cover. Let soak until slightly softened, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, chill 4 copper mule mugs in the freezer.
• For each drink, combine 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce each orange juice and cranberry juice and 1/2 ounce simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with large ice cubes and shake vigorously. Add 1 ounce ginger beer, seal the shaker again and gently twist the shaker back and forth once (this will combine the drink without making the ginger beer go flat). Strain into a chilled copper mule mug and fill with fresh ice. Garnish with a few of the soaked cranberries.

HOLIDAY MULE MOCKTAIL

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, water, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cranberries, cardamom pods, allspice berries, and cinnamon stick; bring to a boil. Stir and cover until cranberries begin to pop, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir again, being careful that cranberries do not burn you as they pop. Reduce heat and simmer until sugar has dissolved and cranberries have released their juice, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Strain into a container, seal, and refrigerate. Discard pulp.
• Fill 2 highball glasses halfway with ice. Add 1 fluid ounce cranberry shrub, 4 fluid ounces ginger beer, and 1 fluid ounce club soda to each glass. Stir well.