Twisted Mule

Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 23 – Twisted Mule.

We’re almost at the finish line, which means the fridge is full of half-used garnishes, the snacks are a little chaotic, and everyone’s pretending they’re not tired while nodding off into a cloud of mashed potatoes at the dinner table. This is the moment for a drink that’s bright, fizzy, and effortlessly crowd-pleasing — something that keeps the evening buoyant without demanding too much of you.

The Twisted Mule is exactly that. It takes the familiar, refreshing structure of a Moscow Mule and gives it a winter-appropriate remix with pear, tequila, and a warming spice backbone.

Tasting notes

Belle de Brillet brings silky pear-brandy sweetness that feels plush and aromatic. Tequila blanco adds crisp structure and a clean, vegetal bite that keeps the drink from drifting sweet. Pear juice doubles down on orchard brightness, while Fever-Tree Ginger Beer lights everything up with sharp, spicy fizz. A few dashes of Angostura bitters thread warm baking spice through the finish, tying the whole thing neatly into December territory.

It’s refreshing, balanced, and exactly the kind of drink you reach for when you say, “Okay, just one more.”

Teachable moment

Build matters here. Shake the base ingredients first to get everything cold and properly integrated, then top with ginger beer in the glass. This keeps the bubbles lively and the flavours cohesive instead of layered in an awkward, last-minute way. Gentle handling, better results.

If this Twisted Mule lights your fire, check out my similar recipes:

• Pear Noel
• Jingle Belle
• Naughty Toddy

Tune into my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern for a step-by-step build, plus a short chat about why ginger beer and pear are an underrated winter pairing.

Cheers, friends!

Twisted Mule

Print

Twisted Mule

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

Belle de Brillet’s silky orchard sweetness meets crisp blanco tequila and bright pear juice, then gets sparked to life with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer for a highball that’s equal parts refreshing and quietly festive

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: Belle de Brillet, Ginger Beer, Let’s Get Blitzen, Liqueur, Tequila

Servings: 1

Author: Yvonne Langen

Ingredients

• 1 oz Belle de Brillet
• 1 oz tequila blanco
• 2 oz pear juice
• ¼ oz lemon juice
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Fever-Tree Ginger Beer to top
• Garnish: pear fan

Instructions

1. Add ingredients to a shaker, excluding ginger beer, with ice and shake until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir briefly.
4. Garnish with a pear fan and serve with a straw.