Concentrated apple paired with heavy notes of ginger, enhanced with a little vodka and fresh lime juice. The flavor combination of our Apple Cider Moscow Mule is pure perfection!
While it is the perfect cocktail to make as soon as apple cider hits the stores, make this delicious libation year-round with our Spiked Apple Cider Crockpot recipe (just hold the fireball)!
What is a Moscow Mule with Apple Cider?
A traditional Moscow Mule is made with vodka, lime juice and ginger beer; which is typically non-alcoholic, and tastes like a more concentrated ginger ale. It is very refreshing, with its cold, crisp taste as well as temperature. Served in a traditional copper Moscow Mule mug, the metal conducts heat by keeping the glass cold, which slows down the ice from melting and diluting the drink. An Apple Cider Moscow Mule is the same as traditional, but with the added earthy, tangy flavor of apples. It makes for an excellent fall cocktail whenever apple cider is in season!
Jump to:
- What is a Moscow Mule with Apple Cider?
- Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make An Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Serve a Moscow Mule with Apple Cider
- What to Serve with an Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- Top Tip
- Frequently Asked Questions About Our Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
This cocktail was inspired by my Spiked Apple Cider Crockpot recipe and pairs well with our Apple Pie a la Mode, or our Costco Pecan Pie Copycat.
Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
- Easy: With just 4 simple ingredients, this is a great cocktail to make on repeat.
- Delicious: The spicy ginger and fruity apple cider is a perfect combination or spice and tart with a hint of sweetness.
- Versatile: You can modify this drink in so many ways to make it your own.
- Refreshing: It is crisp and cool, yet has warming effects from the spicy herbs!
Ingredients
You'll be in and out of the store to grab your ingredients about as quickly as it is to make this cocktail.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Apple Cider: A base in this beverage which brings some sweetness to the spicy ginger.
- Vodka: Known for being smooth, but it also enhances other flavors.
- Ginger Beer: The main component of any Moscow Mule, with its strong and spicy ginger profile. We use Fever Tree which is non-alcoholic.
- Lime Juice: Another key ingredient, the citric notes complement the spicy ginger.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a Moscow Mule mugs, a measuring cup, citrus press, and either a spoon or a cocktail shaker.
Substitutions and Variations
Enjoy a traditional or flavored Moscow Mule any way you desire with some of these changes.
- Omit the Apple Cider: Make a traditional Moscow Mule.
- Cranberry Moscow Mule: Try your hand at a holiday Moscow Mule by using cranberry juice instead. Garnish with some fresh rosemary for a more festive twist.
- Virgin Moscow Mule: Hold the vodka and use club soda with additional lime juice.
- Gin: For an earthier vibe, make a Moscow Mule with gin instead of vodka for a subtle juniper flavor.
- Tequila Moscow Mule: Swap the vodka for silver tequila and Cointreau, and a dash of simple syrup or honey for some sweetness. Garnish with fresh mint and you've made a Mexican Moscow Mule.
How to Make An Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Check out how easy it is to mix up this cocktail!
Fill a copper mug about ¾ full of ice.
Pour in apple cider and vodka and stir.
Top off with about 5 ounces of ginger beer and a splash of lime juice.
Garnish with lime.
Hint: You can use a cocktail shaker to prep your apple cider and vodka, then drain into your mug, before adding your ginger beer and lime juice.
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How to Serve a Moscow Mule with Apple Cider
Impress your guests by mixing it up with some of these options and see what you like the best!
- Glass: A copper mug is the proper way to serve any flavor Moscow Mule. Its ability to take on the temperature of what is poured in it, allows it to get cold fairly quickly. This slows down the ice from melting and watering down the drink.
- Stirred: It is recommended you only stir the first half when making this drink, so you do not want to flatten the carbonation from the ginger beer. Alternatively, you can mix those ingredients in a cocktail shaker first, then strain into a glass and pour the ginger beer in last.
- Drink Garnishes: A lime wedge or slice is the traditional way to garnish a Moscow Mule, but man people also use fresh mint or slices of fresh ginger. For Apple Cider Moscow Mules, you can use the traditional methods or cinnamon sticks, apple or orange slices.
What to Serve with an Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- Pies: You can serve a variety of pies to pair with this beverage. We recommend our Apple Pie a la Mode, Costco Pecan Pie (Copycat) or our Pumpkin Pie using Sweetened Condensed Milk.
- Fall Charcuterie Board: Many options to pick from: apple slices dipped in caramel, strong blue or cheddar cheeses, cured meats like prosciutto, spiced or candied nuts.
- Pork: Pork is a perfect combination with anything apple cider. Pulled pork sandwiches, or slow roasted pork chops!
Top Tip
Use a high quality or homemade apple cider for the best outcome for your drink.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
Here are some helpful Q and A's about to help you in making your own Apple Cider Moscow Mule.
A Moscow Mule is usually served in a copper Moscow Mule mug because the metal keeps the drink especially cold without watering it down and changing the flavor. Many people believe that it actually changes the taste of it as well.
Yes, it is great to play around with the flavors and make it your own. Many people will add apple butter to sweeten it up or star anise for a licorice flavor. You can add additional lime juice for a more citrus forward taste, or add thin slices of ginger for more spiciness.
If you are in a pinch you can use apple juice instead, but it will change the flavor some. Apple juice is usually more sweet, so you might want to use a bit less, or add some additional lime juice to cut the sweetness. Alternatively, you can look for unsweetened apple juice.
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Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
Equipment
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 ounce apple cider
- 3 ounce vodka
- 5 ounce ginger beer
- splash lime juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug about ¾ full with ice.
- Pour in apple cider and vodka and stir.
- Top off with about 5 ounces of ginger beer and a splash of lime juice.
- Garnish with lime.
Notes
- Choose a high quality ginger beer for a spicy and strong ginger flavor that balance's the cider's sweetness.
- For the most crisp and refreshing drink, chill your vodka, apple cider, and ginger beer in advance.
- Traditionally garnished with lime, you can also add an extra seasonal twist with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, or a sprig of rosemary.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Eva Filer says
I am a big lover of ginger and this is a perfectly refreshing and spicy cocktail!
Seija says
The flavor combination of ginger beer, lime, and apple cider was so refreshing! I garnished mine with lime and apple slices as suggested in your notes. Already can’t wait to make these again!
Eva Filer says
This cocktail is one of my favs as well! Happy to hear you enjoy it as much as we do.