I perfected an Apple Cider Moscow Mule that pairs crisp autumn apples with spicy ginger and a cheeky splash of vodka, and the unexpected twist in the mix will make you want the recipe.
I never thought a simple swap would wake up my favorite cocktail, but this Apple Cider Moscow Mule did. I was messing around with apple cider and vodka one rainy afternoon, and suddenly it wasnt just fall, it was party time.
It’s sweet, it’s tart, and kinda boozy in the best way, like a wink across a crowded room. I love that it fits snugly into my Apple Cider And Vodka Fall Drinks rotation but also stands alone when I wanna impress guests.
Trust me you will want to make a pitcher someday, maybe sooner than you planned.
Ingredients
- Vodka: Smooth, neutral spirit that adds warmth and booze, no carbs, extra calories.
- Apple cider: Fruity, slightly cloudy, gives natural sugars, vitamin C, fiber if unfiltered, sweet.
- Lime juice: Bright acidic punch, adds sour balance and vitamin C, low calories.
- Ginger beer: Fizzy, spicy sweetness, contains sugars from fermentation, gives zip and fizz.
- Cinnamon: Warm aromatic spice, small antioxidant boost, makes drink taste cozy and sweeter.
- Apple slices garnish: Pretty, adds tiny fiber and texture but not much nutrition, mostly for looks.
- Ice: Chills and dilutes, keeps flavors balanced, no nutrition, can water it down.
Ingredient Quantities
- About 2 oz vodka (use a decent one, not the fakey stuff)
- 3 oz apple cider, preferably fresh pressed
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
- 3 to 4 oz ginger beer, to top and give the fizz
- Ice, plenty
- Apple slices and a cinnamon stick for garnish (optional but cute)
- Pinch ground cinnamon or 1/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup if you like it sweeter (optional)
- For a pitcher about 6 drinks: 12 oz vodka, 18 oz apple cider, 3 oz fresh lime juice, 18 to 24 oz ginger beer, plus ice and garnishes
How to Make this
1. Chill your copper mugs or glasses and gather everything: decent vodka (not the fakey stuff), fresh pressed apple cider, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, plenty of ice, apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish, and either a pinch of ground cinnamon or 1/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup if you want it sweeter.
2. Fill each mug about 3/4 full with lots of ice so the drink stays cold and fizzy.
3. Pour in about 2 oz vodka per drink (or 12 oz vodka for a 6 drink pitcher).
4. Add 3 oz apple cider per drink (or 18 oz for a 6 drink pitcher) and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice per drink (or 3 oz for the pitcher).
5. If you like extra cinnamon, add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or about 1/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup now. Stir the vodka, cider, lime and cinnamon together to blend.
6. Top each mug with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer (or 18 to 24 oz for the full pitcher), pour gently so you keep the fizz, then give one gentle stir to combine.
7. Taste and adjust: add more ginger beer for fizz, a splash more lime if you want it tangier, or a touch more cinnamon syrup if you like it sweeter.
8. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, drop a slice in the glass for looks, and serve right away with plenty of ice.
9. Pitcher hack: combine vodka, apple cider, and lime juice in a pitcher and chill. Add ginger beer only just before serving so it stays fizzy, then stir gently, pour over ice and garnish.
10. Make ahead tip: you can mix the vodka, cider and lime up to a day before and keep it cold. Dont add ginger beer till serving time, otherwise it goes flat.
Equipment Needed
1. Copper mugs or tall glasses
2. Jigger or measuring cup (for ounces)
3. Citrus juicer or handheld lime squeezer
4. Pitcher or large mixing jug (for batches)
5. Long bar spoon or stirring spoon
6. Ice scoop or tongs
7. Knife and cutting board (for apple slices)
8. Small saucepan (to make cinnamon simple syrup, optional)
FAQ
Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Vodka: swap for blanco tequila for a brighter, peppery Mule, or try bourbon for a warmer, caramel Kentucky Mule
- Apple cider: use pear cider or plain apple juice with a little extra lime if you want a lighter fruit note
- Lime juice: fresh lemon juice works fine if you run out of limes, dont stress about it
- Ginger beer: use ginger ale for a milder, sweeter fizz, or stir in ginger syrup and top with club soda for fresh ginger heat
Pro Tips
1. Chill your mugs or glasses first, then keep everything cold, ice included, so the ginger beer stays fizzy and the drink wont go flat before you can enjoy it.
2. Mix vodka, cider and lime ahead if you want, but add the ginger beer only at the last minute, pour gently and give one quick stir so you dont kill the carbonation.
3. If you like cinnamon, make a tiny cinnamon simple syrup or rim the glass with a little before pouring, its way better than sprinkling ground cinnamon which just clumps and sinks.
4. Taste as you go, start conservative with booze and sweetness, add small amounts until it hits the balance you like, and use fresh lime juice for brightness, bottled lime will make it taste dull.
Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
I perfected an Apple Cider Moscow Mule that pairs crisp autumn apples with spicy ginger and a cheeky splash of vodka, and the unexpected twist in the mix will make you want the recipe.
6
servings
204
kcal
Equipment: 1. Copper mugs or tall glasses
2. Jigger or measuring cup (for ounces)
3. Citrus juicer or handheld lime squeezer
4. Pitcher or large mixing jug (for batches)
5. Long bar spoon or stirring spoon
6. Ice scoop or tongs
7. Knife and cutting board (for apple slices)
8. Small saucepan (to make cinnamon simple syrup, optional)
Ingredients
About 2 oz vodka (use a decent one, not the fakey stuff)
3 oz apple cider, preferably fresh pressed
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
3 to 4 oz ginger beer, to top and give the fizz
Ice, plenty
Apple slices and a cinnamon stick for garnish (optional but cute)
Pinch ground cinnamon or 1/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup if you like it sweeter (optional)
For a pitcher about 6 drinks: 12 oz vodka, 18 oz apple cider, 3 oz fresh lime juice, 18 to 24 oz ginger beer, plus ice and garnishes
Directions
- Chill your copper mugs or glasses and gather everything: decent vodka (not the fakey stuff), fresh pressed apple cider, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, plenty of ice, apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish, and either a pinch of ground cinnamon or 1/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup if you want it sweeter.
- Fill each mug about 3/4 full with lots of ice so the drink stays cold and fizzy.
- Pour in about 2 oz vodka per drink (or 12 oz vodka for a 6 drink pitcher).
- Add 3 oz apple cider per drink (or 18 oz for a 6 drink pitcher) and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice per drink (or 3 oz for the pitcher).
- If you like extra cinnamon, add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or about 1/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup now. Stir the vodka, cider, lime and cinnamon together to blend.
- Top each mug with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer (or 18 to 24 oz for the full pitcher), pour gently so you keep the fizz, then give one gentle stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust: add more ginger beer for fizz, a splash more lime if you want it tangier, or a touch more cinnamon syrup if you like it sweeter.
- Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, drop a slice in the glass for looks, and serve right away with plenty of ice.
- Pitcher hack: combine vodka, apple cider, and lime juice in a pitcher and chill. Add ginger beer only just before serving so it stays fizzy, then stir gently, pour over ice and garnish.
- Make ahead tip: you can mix the vodka, cider and lime up to a day before and keep it cold. Dont add ginger beer till serving time, otherwise it goes flat.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 251g
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 204kcal
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 0g
- Monounsaturated: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Potassium: 120mg
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 16g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Vitamin A: 50IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 11mg
- Iron: 0.2mg
