• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Email Series!

5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free Email Series!

    5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

    Free email series of my best tips!

  • Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes

Rachel Cooks®

Easy Healthy-ish Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Popular
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
    • Beef Stew Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Thousand Island Dressing
    • Poppy Seed Dressing
    • Copycat Panera Squash Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
    • Frosé
    • Best Chocolate Cake
    • Dill Vegetable Dip
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Learn to Cook
    • All The Basics
    • Crostini
    • Delicata Squash
    • Butternut Squash
    • Kabocha Squash
    • Spaghetti Squash
    • Guacamole
    • Croutons
    • Snap Peas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Baked Bacon
    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • Simple Syrup
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Toasted Pine Nuts
    • Roasted bone-in Chicken Breasts
    • Poached Chicken
    • Roasted Whole Chicken
    • Easy Cheese Sauce

Dinner Made Easy:

Slow Cooker

5 Ingredients

Grilling

Make Ahead

Sheet Pan

Tacos

Pizza

Home Recipes by Type Beverages Cocktails

Apple Cider Mule (Fall Moscow Mule)

5
/5
3 mins
Leave a comment
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 11/12/2020Updated: 09/26/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Two moscow mules in copper cups, titos vodka in the background.
Apple cider mule in a copper cup.
A mule cocktail with a text overlay that reads "easy apple cider moscow mule, rachelcooks.com"
Apple cider moscow mule in a copper cup.

Try an apple cider mule for the autumn version of your favorite cocktail. Served in a copper mug, and festively garnished with a cinnamon stick and apple slice, it’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

An iced drink in a copper cup, garnished with apple, mint leaves, and a cinnamon stick
Table of Contents
open
  • 1 About this Recipe
  • 2 Copper Mugs
  • 3 What You’ll Need
  • 4 FAQs
  • 5 Make It Your Own
  • 6 Make-Ahead Ideas
  • 7 Festive Fall Recipes
  • 8 Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Mule (Fall Moscow Mule)

You won’t believe how perfect the marriage of apple cider, ginger beer, and vodka is. Sweet cinnamon wafts across your palate as you sip this apple Moscow mule, blending with fruity apple cider and spicy ginger beer. 

My mom had never experienced a Moscow mule, saying she didn’t care for ginger that much, but she was willing to give this cider mule a try. However, I was missing one essential ingredient, the ginger beer. I picked my daughter up from the bus stop and made a quick detour to the corner stop-and-shop, i.e. gas station convenience store, to buy ginger beer. After looking through every refrigerator case in the store multiple times, I asked the clerk, by this time thinking that my search was futile. Sure enough, he pointed me to the one place I hadn’t looked, an end cap right by the cash register. Yaay! Our testing session was a go!

The results? A totally delicious cocktail that both my mom and I love!

Overhead view of an apple cider mule served in a copper cup.

By the way, did you know that ginger beer is not alcoholic? It’s more like root beer than regular beer. When it originated in the 18th century, ginger beer was fermented ginger root, sugar, and water. Most ginger beer today (with a couple exceptions, including Crabbie’s) is basically a soft drink, with a more predominant ginger flavor than ginger ale. Try Fever-Tree ginger beer which has a blend of 3 different kinds of ginger.

Ginger beer, apple cider, vodka, and cinnamon just go so well together. This drink reminds me of my favorite dessert, apple crisp with ginger. I also love ginger cinnamon apple chips, which are a great go-along with an apple mule. If you’re looking for a mock cocktail (non-alcoholic), try an apple cider mocktail. 

Apple cider moscow mule with nugget ice, garnished with apple, mint leaves, and a cinnamon stick.

About this Recipe

How does this apple cider mule differ from a Moscow mule recipe? Two of the ingredients remain the same: vodka and ginger beer. I bet you can guess the the other ingredient: apple cider! It replaces the lime juice that you’d normally find in a Moscow mule.

Copper Mugs

Don’t have copper mugs? Copper mugs are pretty but definitely not essential, in fact, some experts caution that harmful copper can leach into the drink (you can purchase nickel or stainless steel lined mugs). Use a pretty glass, like a tall highball glass, or even a large stemmed glass.

I hope you aren’t disillusioned if I tell you that Moscow mules aren’t from Moscow. The first Moscow mule was developed in Manhattan. I have no idea why they’re called Moscow mules — maybe because there already was a cocktail called a Manhattan.

Two tall moscow mule cocktails in front of a bottle of vodka and ginger beer.

As always, you’ll find the printable recipe card with specific measurements, instructions, and nutrition information near the end of the post.

What You’ll Need

  • Apple cider: In the U.S., apple cider is unfiltered apple juice. It’s not fermented and it’s non-alcoholic. If you hail from other parts of the world, apple cider may refer to a hard cider that’s been fermented and contains alcohol.
  • Vodka: Choose your favorite brand of regular (not flavored) vodka.
  • Ginger beer (please don’t substitute ginger ale!)
  • Lots of ice
  • Copper mug (if you like)
  • Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnishes
Apple cider being poured into a copper cup.

FAQs

What alcohol goes best with apple cider?

Apple cider is full-flavored and sweet so we like bourbon, rum, or spiced rum. If you don’t want to mask the apple cider flavor, add vodka which will really let the apple flavor shine. For an easy fall cocktail, add cinnamon-flavored whiskey such as Fireball or Tennessee Fire to either cold or warm apple cider

How do I make store-bought apple cider better?

Besides making this cocktail, simply warming cider up can enhance the taste. Add a cinnamon stick or another whole spice such as star anise, cloves, or even peppercorns. Add a little warmed caramel sauce to the cider for a caramel apple flavored drink.

What is a good bourbon for apple cider?

According to The Manual, the best whiskey to add is Buffalo Trace Bourbon, which has “strong caramel and nutmeg notes.” Other choices in the top ten include Rittenhouse Rye, Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum, and St. George Pear Brandy.

Ginger beer being poured into a copper mug.

Make It Your Own

  • Make a pitcher. Mix 4 cups apple cider, 2 bottles ginger beer, and 1 cup vodka in a pitcher. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish.
  • Substitute caramel vodka for traditional vodka in this recipe for a sweeter alternative.
  • A pinch of sea salt smooths out the alcohol taste of vodka.
  • Add a squeeze of lime juice with the cider if you like.
  • To intensify the apple flavor, boil the cider down until it’s reduced by half and syrupy. Cool and use that instead of plain apple cider.

Make-Ahead Ideas

This drink is best made right before serving. It’s easy to make — 2 minutes! — and you don’t want the ginger beer to go flat. Make sure everything is chilled and you have plenty of fresh ice.

Apple cider moscow mule in a woman's hand.

Festive Fall Recipes

Having a harvest party? Serve apple cider mules, pomegranate mojitos, vanilla bourbon fizz cocktails, cranberry margaritas, or a maple Old Fashioned, and nosh on fall-themed apps. Try:

  • Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta
  • Wild Mushroom Crostini with Goat Cheese
  • Candied Bacon — “Pig Candy”
  • Sausage Pinwheels with Apple and Sage
  • Easy Apple Dip (cream cheese & peanut butter)
  • Bacon Wrapped Dates
  • Baked Brie with Cranberries and Bourbon Pecans
  • Pumpkin Spice Candied Walnuts
  • Pumpkin Streusel Bread
  • Baked Banana Donuts with Brown Sugar Glaze
  • Healthy Queso Dip with Butternut Squash
Two tall copper glasses garnished with mint, apple, and cinnamon sticks. Vodka and ginger beer in background.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

An iced drink in a copper cup, garnished with apple, mint leaves, and a cinnamon stick
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Mule (Fall Moscow Mule)

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 3 mins
1 cocktail
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Try an apple cider mule for the autumn version of your favorite cocktail. Served in a copper mug, and festively garnished with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.

Ingredients

  • Crushed ice
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 3 ounces apple cider
  • 1 to 3 ounces ginger beer, depending on taste
  • Apple slice, for garnish
  • Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a copper mule mug all the way with crushed ice. If you don't have a copper mug, use an old-fashioned, lowball, or rocks glass.
  • Pour in vodka and apple cider.
  • Top with ginger beer, between 1 and 3 ounces depending on taste and desired strength.
  • Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick and serve with a straw, if desired.

Notes

  • Make a pitcher. Mix 4 cups apple cider, 2 bottles ginger beer, and 1 cup vodka in a pitcher. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish.
  • Substitute caramel vodka for traditional vodka in this recipe for a sweeter alternative.
  • To intensify the apple flavor, boil the cider down until it’s reduced by half and syrupy. Cool  and use that instead of plain apple cider.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 180kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 6mg, Potassium: 87mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

Shop this post

Copper Hammered Glasses Tumbler
Moscow Mule Mugs – Stainless Steel Lining
Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It
Holiday Quick-Start Guide

Get my Holiday

Quick-Start Guide!

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

You May Also Like...

  • Two apple cider mocktails garnished with round apple slices.
    Apple Cider Mocktail - nonalcoholic drink for fall
  • Close up view of a half of an apple cinnamon muffin.
    Apple Cider Muffins
  • Spiced pecans on a white background.
    The Best Spiced Pecans
  • Overhead view of apple pie spice on a red ceramic measuring spoon.
    Apple Pie Spice - so easy to make!
Air fryer grilled cheese sandwich on a white plate, halves pulled apart to show cheese.
Previous Post
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich – with variations!
Small glass bottle of creamy maple dressing, a pepper cracker in the background.
Next Post
Creamy Maple Dressing with Black Pepper

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel! Life can be complicated, cooking shouldn't be! I believe that you can put a delicious meal on the table without stressing. It's possible, and I'm here to help. Have a seat at my table...let's chat, eat, and have fun! Read more...

Air Fryer Instant Pot 30 Minutes One Pan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Vegetarian 5 Ingredients

Trending

Cooked salmon fillet on a grey-toned plate with cooked asparagus spears. The salmon is being flaked with a fork.

Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!

Pizza pasta being scooped from a pan with a wooden spoon.

Pizza Pasta – 1 pan, 20 minutes

Image of a giant bowl of spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Asparagus Panzanella Salad

Seasonal

Beef and vegetable stir fry in a black wok.

Beef Stir Fry With Vegetables

Hot honey chicken sheet pan dinner with honey being drizzled on.

Hot Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and sour shrimp lettuce wrap garnished with green onion.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Chicken burrito bowl with avocado and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
Free Bonus!

5 Cooking Secrets to Save Time & Stress

Free email series of my best tips and recipes!

Featured On:

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
© 2023 Rachel Cooks®
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled