Apple Cider Mule Cocktail Recipe — As the leaves begin to change and the crisp air of autumn sets in, there’s nothing quite as comforting and festive as a drink that captures the essence of the season. Enter the Apple Cider Mule Cocktail Recipe — a warm, spicy, and refreshingly fizzy twist on the traditional Moscow Mule.
Replacing the usual lime-forward notes with the sweet tang of apple cider, this cocktail is perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, or cozy evenings by the fire. It combines fresh apple cider, ginger beer, vodka (or even bourbon if you want a deeper profile), and a hint of citrus to create a drink that’s both seasonal and crowd-pleasing.
Recipe Overview
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
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Active Time: 3 minutes
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Resting Time: 0 minutes
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Total Time: 8 minutes
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Servings: 1 cocktail
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Cuisine: American, Fall-inspired
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Course: Drinks / Cocktails
Equipment Needed
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Copper mug or cocktail glass
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Jigger or shot glass
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Bar spoon or stir stick
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Citrus juicer (optional)
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Ice cubes
Ingredients
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2 oz vodka (or bourbon for a warmer twist)
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3 oz fresh apple cider (chilled)
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3–4 oz ginger beer (chilled)
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½ oz fresh lime juice (about ½ a lime)
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Ice cubes
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Garnish: Apple slices, cinnamon stick, or lime wedge
from Instagram
Instructions
Step 1: Chill Your Glass
Start by chilling your copper mug or cocktail glass for that classic mule experience. Fill it with ice to the top.
Step 2: Add Vodka
Pour in 2 oz of vodka. You can substitute with bourbon or spiced rum if you’re aiming for a richer, more warming version.
Step 3: Mix in Apple Cider & Lime Juice
Add 3 oz of fresh apple cider and ½ oz of fresh lime juice. The cider brings sweet tartness, while lime keeps things bright and refreshing.
Step 4: Top with Ginger Beer
Pour in 3–4 oz of ginger beer to give the drink its signature fizz and spicy kick. Adjust to your taste — more for lighter, less for stronger.
Step 5: Stir and Garnish
Gently stir with a spoon to mix without losing too much carbonation. Garnish with a fresh apple slice, cinnamon stick, or lime wedge for visual appeal and aroma.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
Enjoy your Apple Cider Mule ice-cold, ideally by a fire or under the stars.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Sugars | 15 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Alcohol by Volume | ~12–15% ABV |
Flavor Profile
This Apple Cider Mule is:
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Sweet and tart from the apple cider
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Spicy and fizzy thanks to the ginger beer
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Bright and crisp with a squeeze of lime
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Smooth and warming from the vodka or bourbon
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Mule Cocktail Recipe
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Seasonal & flavorful – captures the taste of autumn
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Quick to make – under 5 minutes start to finish
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Minimal ingredients – no fancy liqueurs or tools needed
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Versatile – use vodka, bourbon, or spiced rum
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Perfect for fall events – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving
Tips & Variations
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Make it spicy: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of cayenne for heat.
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Mocktail version: Use non-alcoholic ginger beer and skip the vodka. Still super flavorful!
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Serve for a crowd: Scale up the ingredients and mix in a pitcher. Top each serving with ginger beer right before serving.
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Use hard cider: Replace ginger beer with hard apple cider for a boozier, apple-forward variation.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use bottled apple cider?
Yes! Just ensure it’s high quality and unsweetened or lightly sweetened for balance.
Q2: What ginger beer works best?
Use a strong, spicy ginger beer (like Fever-Tree or Goslings) for more flavor punch.
Q3: Can I prep this drink ahead of time?
You can mix the vodka, cider, and lime juice ahead. But always add ginger beer just before serving to keep it fizzy.
Q4: What’s the difference between apple juice and apple cider?
Cider is usually unfiltered and has more tartness and depth, perfect for cocktails. Apple juice is sweeter and clearer.
