Apple Cider Moscow Mule

An apple cider Moscow mule is a nice, easy fall cocktail and a delicious twist on the classic. Great for Thanksgiving or any day.

Why we love this recipe

An Apple Cider Moscow Mule would make a great start to your Thanksgiving celebration —or, hey, your average fall Tuesday night. This recipe:

• Retains all the bright, tasty balance of the original cocktail
• Adds a nice autumnal layer of apple-cinnamon goodness
• Comes together right in the cup, so it couldn't be easier
• Or you can batch it in a pitcher for a party

Bonus: even though it’s vodka-based, this cocktail is nice and light — so Great Aunt Googlypuss can have one without passing out, and if Great Uncle Frankenschmutz starts acting like a jerk, it’s not the cocktail’s fault. 

I first published this recipe here back in 2017. I've since updated the post for clarity and made a few gentle tweaks to the recipe itself.

What you'll need

Here's a glance at the ingredients you'll need to make this recipe.

• You can use your choice of vodka in this recipe, as long as it's good-quality. Plain is fine, but it's nice to amp up the fall flavors with an apple- and cinnamon-infused variety like the one pictured here, or cinnamon vodka.
• Apple cider is a gently sweet, complex ingredient in its own right. I tend to grab whatever local, unfiltered cider I see in the shops in the fall. Use the rest to drink straight-up, make soup, and bake donuts.
• Ginger beer is a nonalcoholic, ginger-flavored soft drink. It provides fizz, lightness, and tons of flavor to a Moscow mule. Choose a good one, because you'll really taste it. I like Reed's or Goslings.
• A generous dose of freshly squeezed lime juice adds a welcome bright, tart dimension to this recipe.
• Crushed ice is a fundamental part of the mule experience. Over time I've changed my method for making it — see details in the section below.

How to crush ice

If you'd like to crush your own ice rather than buying it, you've got a couple of options. I've come to really prefer the blender method.

• If you don't have a good blender, you can place regular ice cubes into a double layer of zip-top bags and bash them with a rolling pin until they're nice and small. This method provides free therapy but doesn't work quite as well for creating evenly crushed ice. You can see the results of this method in the styled photos of the final drink (above and below).
• If you have a high-speed blender or a good, strong regular blender, you can place plenty of ice cubes into the container, pour in cold water to reach about halfway up, and blend briefly until most of the cubes are nicely crushed. Drain the mixture through a sieve to remove excess water, and your crushed ice is ready to use. You can see the results of this method in the video and the "how to make it" section below.

How to make it

As with all highballs, making an apple cider Moscow mule is straightforward. You don't even need a separate mixing glass. Here's an overview of what you'll do. You can see the steps in action in the video that accompanies this post, and get all the details in the recipe card below.

1. Fill a copper mule glass to the top with crushed ice.
2. Pour in the apple-cinnamon vodka, the apple cider, and the lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Give it a good stir and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick. That's it!

Expert tips and FAQs

More favorite fall cocktails

• The Fifteen
• The Colt's Neck
• Boulevardier

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Yield: Makes 1 cocktail

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

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An apple Cider Moscow Mule retains all the bright, tasty balance of the original cocktail and adds a nice, autumnal layer of apple-cinnamon goodness. A great choice for Thanksgiving or any fall evening.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ounces (60 ml) cinnamon apple vodka
• 4 ounces (120 ml) fresh apple cider
• 3 ounces (90 ml) ginger beer
• ½ ounce (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
• A thin apple slice, cut crosswise
• Cinnamon Stick

Instructions

1. Fill a copper mug to the top with crushed ice.
2. Pour in the apple-cinnamon vodka, the apple cider, and the lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and give it a good stir.
4. Cut an apple in half crosswise. Then cut a very thin slice from the center — about ⅛ inch if possible, but don't sweat it Remove any seeds. Cut a small slit from one point along the circumference to the center. This is where you'll slide the apple slice onto the mug.
5. Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick. 

Notes

1. You can use your choice of vodka in this recipe, as long as it's good-quality. Plain is fine, but it's nice to amp up the fall flavors with an apple- and cinnamon-infused variety like the one pictured here, or cinnamon vodka.
2. Apple cider is a gently sweet, complex ingredient in its own right. I tend to grab whatever local, unfiltered cider I see in the shops in the fall. 
3. Ginger beer is a nonalcoholic, ginger-flavored soft drink. It provides fizz, lightness, and tons of flavor to a Moscow mule. Choose a good one, because you'll really taste it. I like Reed's or Goslings.
4. A generous dose of freshly squeezed lime juice adds a welcome bright, tart dimension to this recipe.
5. If you like, you can batch this cocktail for a party. To make eight drinks: up to three hours in advance, stir together in a pitcher two cups apple-cinnamon vodka, four cups fresh apple cider, and ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, pour in three cups cold ginger beer and give it all a stir. To serve, fill eight copper mule cups with crushed ice, divide contents of pitcher, and garnish each with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.

How to crush ice

If you'd like to crush your own ice rather than buying it, you've got a couple of options. I've come to really prefer the blender method.

• If you don't have a good blender, you can place regular ice cubes into a double layer of zip-top bags and bash them with a rolling pin until they're nice and small. This method provides free therapy but doesn't work quite as well for creating evenly crushed ice.
• If you have a high-speed blender or a good, strong regular blender, you can place plenty of ice cubes into the container, pour in cold water to reach about halfway up, and blend briefly until most of the cubes are nicely crushed. Drain the mixture through a sieve to remove excess water, and your crushed ice is ready to use.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 165

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