Apple Cider Mule (Fall Moscow Mule)
Posted: 11/12/2020
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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.
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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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
cocktail
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.
