Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe

I paired apple cider, ginger beer, and a splash of vodka in an Apple Cider Moscow Mule that also scales up perfectly for a party pitcher.

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I love mixing fall flavors into drinks that actually surprise people. This Apple Cider Moscow Mule feels like that: sweet, sour, boozy and a little bit sneaky.

I keep things simple with good vodka and fresh apple cider, and every sip makes you wonder why you havent tried this before. If you like browsing Apple Cider And Vodka Fall Drinks, this one stands out because it behaves different from the usual, not just another copy.

I often make one to test, then end up dreaming about serving a pitcher at a party, because people really want more and keep asking for it.

Ingredients

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Vodka: Neutral spirit, zero carbs, adds heat and alcohol calories, dont expect nutrients.
Apple cider: Sweet apple flavor, its full of sugars and carbs, some antioxidants.
Lime juice: Bright sour note, vitamin C gives a punch, low cal, cuts sweetness.
Ginger beer: Spicy fizzy kick, contains sugar unless diet, adds body and zippy ginger.
Apple slice garnish: Mostly decorative but gives aroma and a little fiber if you eat it.
Cinnamon stick: Optional warm spice, not usually eaten, smells cozy and pairs with apples.
Ice: Cools and dilutes the drink over time, no nutrients just water melting.

Ingredient Quantities

Single serving (about 12 oz):
- 2 oz vodka (use a decent vodka, not the cheap stuff)
- 4 oz fresh apple cider
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
- 3 oz ginger beer, chilled (more or less to taste)
- Ice (enough to fill a copper mug or glass)
- 1 thin apple slice, for garnish
- 1 lime wedge, for garnish
- 1 cinnamon stick or a pinch ground cinnamon, optional

Party batch (about 8 servings):
- 1 1/2 cups vodka (12 oz)
- 3 1/2 cups fresh apple cider (28 oz)
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 oz)
- 2 cups ginger beer, chilled (16 oz, add more if you like it fizzy)
- Ice for serving
- 8 apple slices and 8 lime wedges for garnish
- 8 cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon to sprinkle, optional

How to Make this

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1. Decide whether you want a single serving or the party batch and gather the measured ingredients (single: 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, 1/2 oz lime juice, 3 oz ginger beer; batch: 1 1/2 cups vodka, 3 1/2 cups cider, 1/2 cup lime juice, 2 cups ginger beer), plus ice, apple slices, lime wedges and cinnamon if using.

2. Chill the ginger beer and your mugs or glasses ahead of time so the drink stays fizzy and cold.

3. If making the batch, combine the vodka, apple cider and fresh lime juice in a pitcher, give it a quick stir and refrigerate until guests arrive; toss in a cinnamon stick to gently infuse if you like.

4. For a single mule, fill a copper mug or glass with ice, then add the vodka, apple cider and the 1/2 oz fresh lime juice.

5. For the party batch, fill each mug or glass with ice and divide the mixed vodka + cider + lime mixture among the glasses (or pour from the pitcher as you serve).

6. Top each glass with chilled ginger beer to taste (about the amounts listed above), adding the ginger beer last so it stays bubbly.

7. Stir very gently once or twice to combine flavors without flattening the fizz; don’t over stir.

8. Garnish each drink with a thin apple slice, a lime wedge and either a cinnamon stick to stir or a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon on top.

9. Handy hacks: freeze some cider into ice cubes so the drink won’t get watered down, and always use fresh lime juice and a decent vodka, not the cheap stuff, for the best flavor.

Equipment Needed

1. Copper mug or tall glass for serving, the classic mule look
2. Pitcher or large measuring jug for mixing a party batch, or a big glass measuring cup if you dont have a pitcher
3. Jigger or liquid measuring cup to measure vodka, cider and lime accurately
4. Citrus juicer or hand reamer to get fresh lime juice fast
5. Paring knife and small cutting board for apple slices and lime wedges
6. Bar spoon or long spoon to stir gently without flattening the fizz
7. Ice scoop or tongs for adding ice, plus ice trays if you want to freeze cider cubes
8. Small spoon or pinch tool for sprinkling ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks for stirring or garnish

FAQ

Q: Can I use bottled apple cider or do I need fresh apple cider? A: Fresh is best, it tastes brighter and a bit more complex, but good bottled cider works fine in a pinch. Avoid plain apple juice, it's usually too sweet and lacks the spiced apple flavor.

Q: Can I make the cocktail ahead for a party? A: Yes, mix the vodka, apple cider and lime juice ahead and keep it chilled, but dont add the ginger beer or ice until right before serving so you dont lose the fizz.

Q: What kind of ginger beer should I use? A: Pick a quality ginger beer that's bold and slightly spicy, not a sweet ginger ale. Brands like Fever-Tree or Bundaberg are good options, but use what you like.

Q: How do I make this non alcoholic? A: Swap the vodka for extra ginger beer and maybe a splash of sparkling water, or use non alcoholic vodka if you have it. You can also use sparkling apple cider for a sweeter fizzy version.

Q: How can I adjust the strength or sweetness? A: For a milder drink add more ginger beer or cider, to strengthen it add a bit more vodka. If it's too tart add a touch of simple syrup or honey, but taste first cause cider is often already sweet.

Q: Any tips for garnishes or presentation? A: Serve in a chilled copper mug if you have one, add an apple slice and lime wedge, and a cinnamon stick if you want a warm spice note. If using sliced apples, brush with a little lemon juice to slow browning.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka: Swap for bourbon, gin, or blanco tequila. Bourbon gives warm caramel notes so you might want a little less, gin adds herbal lift, tequila makes it bright and grassy. Use about the same amount.
Fresh apple cider: Try pear cider, cloudy apple juice, or apple juice mixed with a splash of cranberry for more tartness. If the substitute is sweeter, squeeze a bit more lime.
Fresh lime juice: Use fresh lemon juice or bottled lime if thats what you have. Lemon is a touch less sharp so you may want a little extra to balance the sweetness.
Ginger beer: Use ginger ale for a milder ginger, or club soda plus about 1 teaspoon ginger syrup or grated fresh ginger if you like it spicy. Add more fizz to taste.

Pro Tips

1. Chill everything ahead of time and freeze some of the cider into ice cubes so your drink stays strong instead of getting watered down, people always underestimate this.

2. Pour the ginger beer last and stir only once or twice very gently, do not over stir or the fizz will vanish.

3. If you make a batch drop a cinnamon stick in the pitcher to infuse gently, but skip the powdered stuff unless you want clumps and a fake taste.

4. Use decent vodka and always fresh lime juice, taste as you go and tweak the cider to lime balance for how sweet or tart you like it.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe

Recipe by Nicky Smith

0.0 from 0 votes

I paired apple cider, ginger beer, and a splash of vodka in an Apple Cider Moscow Mule that also scales up perfectly for a party pitcher.

Servings

servings

Calories

232

kcal

Equipment: 1. Copper mug or tall glass for serving, the classic mule look
2. Pitcher or large measuring jug for mixing a party batch, or a big glass measuring cup if you dont have a pitcher
3. Jigger or liquid measuring cup to measure vodka, cider and lime accurately
4. Citrus juicer or hand reamer to get fresh lime juice fast
5. Paring knife and small cutting board for apple slices and lime wedges
6. Bar spoon or long spoon to stir gently without flattening the fizz
7. Ice scoop or tongs for adding ice, plus ice trays if you want to freeze cider cubes
8. Small spoon or pinch tool for sprinkling ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks for stirring or garnish

Ingredients

Single serving (about 12 oz):
2 oz vodka (use a decent vodka, not the cheap stuff)
4 oz fresh apple cider
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
3 oz ginger beer, chilled (more or less to taste)
Ice (enough to fill a copper mug or glass)
1 thin apple slice, for garnish
1 lime wedge, for garnish
1 cinnamon stick or a pinch ground cinnamon, optional
Party batch (about 8 servings):
1 1/2 cups vodka (12 oz)
3 1/2 cups fresh apple cider (28 oz)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 oz)
2 cups ginger beer, chilled (16 oz, add more if you like it fizzy)
Ice for serving
8 apple slices and 8 lime wedges for garnish
8 cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon to sprinkle, optional

Directions

Decide whether you want a single serving or the party batch and gather the measured ingredients (single: 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, 1/2 oz lime juice, 3 oz ginger beer; batch: 1 1/2 cups vodka, 3 1/2 cups cider, 1/2 cup lime juice, 2 cups ginger beer), plus ice, apple slices, lime wedges and cinnamon if using.
Chill the ginger beer and your mugs or glasses ahead of time so the drink stays fizzy and cold.
If making the batch, combine the vodka, apple cider and fresh lime juice in a pitcher, give it a quick stir and refrigerate until guests arrive; toss in a cinnamon stick to gently infuse if you like.
For a single mule, fill a copper mug or glass with ice, then add the vodka, apple cider and the 1/2 oz fresh lime juice.
For the party batch, fill each mug or glass with ice and divide the mixed vodka + cider + lime mixture among the glasses (or pour from the pitcher as you serve).
Top each glass with chilled ginger beer to taste (about the amounts listed above), adding the ginger beer last so it stays bubbly.
Stir very gently once or twice to combine flavors without flattening the fizz; don’t over stir.
Garnish each drink with a thin apple slice, a lime wedge and either a cinnamon stick to stir or a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon on top.
Handy hacks: freeze some cider into ice cubes so the drink won’t get watered down, and always use fresh lime juice and a decent vodka, not the cheap stuff, for the best flavor.

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.