Treat yourself to a refreshing Apple Cider Moscow Mule this fall ... this apple cider cocktail is easy to make, festive, and oh so delicious.
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I remember trying my first Moscow Mule years ago. The spicy bubbles tingled my nose, catching me totally off guard ... it was love at first sip! Of course, I had to recreate that cocktail as soon as I got home, and for such a flavor-packed drink, it's surprisingly easy to make.
While I still love the classic recipe, it's fun coming up with Moscow Mule variations, too. And since it's my favorite season, I decided to make fall version to celebrate. My Apple Cider Mule is the result, and I think you're going to love it!
This apple cider cocktail is just as simple to make as the traditional drink. The cider pairs perfectly with the spicy ginger beer and adds a layer of appley autumn flavor that's delightful. Make it anytime you're craving a cool, crisp fall cocktail.
Ready to start sipping? Then, keep scrolling for all the details!
Ingredients
This easy fall cocktail requires just a few basic ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Lime Juice – Fresh juice is a must for this drink! Do not use bottled juice.
- Vodka – Feel free to use your fave vodka for this drink. The vodka is really in the background here, so something basic, but good quality is fine. New Amsterdam is my usual standby, but I also like Tito’s and Deep Eddy.
- Apple Cider –If you have an apple orchard nearby, stop in and pick up a gallon of fresh apple cider. It’s always the best! If you can’t get to an orchard, store bought works perfectly fine. I used plain cider, but you could use a spiced variety, too.
- Ginger Beer – It’s important to use a really good quality ginger beer (NOT ginger ale) for this recipe. I love a Moscow Mule that makes my nose tingle with spicy ginger flavor, which is why I prefer Fever Tree Ginger Beer. It has that bold ginger flavor that you look for in this cocktail, and it’s not overly sweet. (I used Q Ginger Beer here, because my store was out of Fever Tree ... it's was okay, but I still love Fever Tree more.)
- Simple Syrup - Moscow Mules usually don't have sugar added. When I was experimenting with this recipe though, I tried it both ways. And I found that a dash of simple syrup really brought out the cider flavor. It's totally optional, and if your cider is very sweet, you probably don't need it.
- Garnish – Serve this cocktail as-is, or add an easy garnish, like a cinnamon stick, lime slice, and diced apple.
You'll Also Need
Here are a few other things you’ll need to make this drink:
- Moscow Mule Mugs – Copper mugs are not required to make this cocktail, but they certainly make the experience more fun! It’s possible to purchase 100% copper mugs, however acids (like lime juice) can cause copper to leach into your drink, and that isn’t good for you. To be on the safe side, I’d recommend getting a set of beautiful lined copper mugs instead.
- Jigger – To measure this drink properly, you’ll need a jigger. If you’re making this Apple Cider Mule by the pitcher, then you’ll use a set of liquid measuring cups instead.
- Bar Spoon – A bar spoon is optional, although it will certainly make you feel like a bar tending pro! Use a long, slender spoon (like an iced tea spoon) or a stir stick instead if you don’t have one.
Don’t have cooper mugs? You can use a large rocks glass, highball (or Collins) glass instead.
Want to make a non-alcoholic Cider Mule?
If you don't drink, simply skip the vodka. You'll have a festive mocktail that anyone can enjoy!
Can you substitute other spirits for the vodka?
Vodka is the classic choice for a Moscow Mule. Its neutral taste lets the other flavors shine. That said, you can definitely make this drink with other liquors besides vodka. Try substituting whiskey, rum, or gin, if you’d prefer. Another option is to use a caramel flavored vodka, which will give this drink a delicious caramel apple flavor. Yum!
How to Make an Apple Cider Mule
This apple cider and vodka drink couldn't be easier to make. I’m going to show you how to prepare a single drink first, which should only take about five minutes. Once you’ve mastered that, keep reading for the pitcher instructions.
Copper mugs are traditionally used to make Moscow Mules. While they don’t keep the drink any colder than a regular glass, they do frost up beautifully. Plus, they’re just so cute, right?
Start by filling your mug three-quarters full with ice. Then, add ½ ounce of lime juice (about half a good sized, juicy lime). You can either throw the lime in the mug when you're done or discard it.
If you're planning to serve multiple drinks, you can cut down on the mess (and make things easier to measure) by squeezing the lime juice ahead of time.
Tip: if you don’t have copper mugs, use a large rocks, highball, or Collins glass instead.
The other liquids are next. Start by adding two ounces of vodka, followed by three ounces of apple cider and four ounces of ginger beer.
Give your cocktail a good stir, then taste it. If you'd like, add ½ ounce of simple syrup.
Tip: The ginger beer is what gives Moscow Mule its signature flavor, so choose something spicy. Like I mentioned above, I prefer Fever Tree. Avoid using ginger ale! It’s easy to mix up the two at the store, but they don’t taste anything alike.
It's time for the garnish ... always my favorite part of making cocktails!
For this apple cider mixed drink, I diced up a fresh apple and dropped a few pieces into the cocktail. I also added a lime slice and a cinnamon stick. If you add a cinnamon stick, serve the drink quickly and carefully, because they tend to disappear into the bottom of the mug!
Doesn't that Apple Cider Mule look festive? This is a drink you're going to enjoy all fall long! It's just as perfect for kicking back on a lazy weekend as it is for special occasions, like Halloween or Thanksgiving.
Apple Cider Moscow Mules for a Crowd
Planning to make multiple drinks? It’s really easy to make this fall Moscow Mule by the pitcher. Simply use these proportions to scale the recipe:
- ¼ part lime juice
- 1 part vodka
- 1 ½ parts apple cider
- 2 parts ginger beer
- ¼ part simple syrup (optional)
For example, let’s say you’re starting with 1 cup of vodka. To that, you’d add 1 ½ cups apple cider, 2 cups ginger beer, ¼ cup lime juice, and ¼ cup simple syrup (if you're using it). This would make four drinks, by the way. For eight drinks, you’d use 2 cups vodka, 3 cups apple cider, 4 cups ginger beer, ½ cup lime juice, and ½ cup simple syrup. (For 16 drinks, start with 4 cups vodka ... you get the idea.)
Tip: If you want make a pitcher of drinks ahead of time, I’d recommend mixing everything together except the ginger beer, which is carbonated. Stir the ginger beer in right before pouring the cocktails, so it doesn’t go flat.
Related Recipes
Looking for more fun and festive cocktails? Try one of these drinks next:
- Spiked Apple Cider
- Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Irish Coffee
- Cuba Libre
- Rum Old Fashioned
- Classic Mojito
- Raspberry French 75
Craving something else? Check out all of my cocktail recipes here!
Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- ½ ounce simple syrup, optional (see note)
- optional garnishes: lime slice, cinnamon stick, diced apple
Equipment
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug about ¾ full with ice.
- Add lime juice to mug, followed by vodka, apple cider, ginger beer, and optional simple syrup.
- Mix well, then garnish with a lime slice, cinnamon stick, and diced apple, if desired.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- ¼ part lime juice
- 1 part vodka
- 1 ½ parts apple cider
- 2 parts ginger beer
- ¼ part simple syrup (optional)
Nutrition
