Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• This is an easy fall cocktail that is very simple to make!
• You can customize this in a number of ways.
• The ingredients are simple and easy to find at the grocery store.
• Easily scale up to make a big batch for a fall party!
• The spiced cider can be made well in advance and stored in the fridge.

What is a Moscow Mule?

The classic recipe for a traditional Moscow mule has vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Mules are served in copper mugs with lots of ice. A lime wheel and/or a mint sprig are the traditional cocktail garnishes for a classic Moscow mule. The mule cocktail could have been invented in New York or Los Angeles and cocktail historians can sort that out because it doesn’t matter to us! This is a delicious, yet simple concoction that offers itself to so much customization - which is always a good thing! There are tons of Moscow mule variations out there, and we love them all!

This fall version of a Moscow mule is one of our favorite drinks because it is so good and easy to make! We know you will love this seasonal spin on a classic Moscow mule with all the flavors of fall!

Ingredients

Here is what you need to make this Spiced Apple Cider Mule recipe:

• Apple Cider: Good, fresh apple cider is the baseline that we spice up ourselves.
• Star Anise: Part of the seasoning for the cider, and just one makes the flavor addition subtle, but lovely.
• Cinnamon: This gives the cider that fall taste we all love.
• Allspice: Whole allspice berries are another great warm fall spice for seasoning the cider.
• Cloves: Whole cloves are the final delicious ingredient for the spiced cider.
• Vodka: As with the traditional mule, use your favorite vodka
• Ginger Beer: Using a quality ginger beer will make your cocktail a resounding success. As a note, ginger beer and ginger ale ARE NOT THE SAME, so make sure you are using ginger beer.
• Lime: A squirt of fresh lime juice rounds out the cocktail
• Apple Slices: For garnish - optional. We like honeycrisp apples for this.
• Cinnamon Sticks: For garnish - optional.

See recipe card below for quantities.

Substitutions

Here are a couple of common substitutions for the ingredients in this fall Moscow mule recipe:

• Spices: Mix and match the ones we use with nutmeg, mace, green cardamom, or even a little citrus peel
• Vodka: If you’re a gin lover, you can substitute gin for the vodka and get even more aromas and flavors. Or try this cocktail with bourbon!
• Ginger beer: If you want this drink to be a bit lighter on the calories and sugar, you can use Diet Ginger Beer.

How to Make this Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule

This apple cider Moscow mule recipe is super simple to make. Just make your spiced cider and add it to the vodka, ginger beer, and lime and it’s done!

Equipment

Here is what you need to make this festive cocktail

• Copper Mugs - a traditional Moscow mule mug

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Spiced Apple Cider

• Add the cider, star anise, cinnamon stick, allspice, and cloves to a saucepan. Bring to a light boil, remove from the heat and let cool for 15-20 minutes. Strain out the solids and let cool completely. Store the spiced cider in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use. 

Make the Mule

• Add the vodka, cider, and lime juice to a mule mug filled with ice and stir. Top with ginger beer and stir lightly. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick if desired. 

Variations

Here are a couple ways to change up this recipe:

• You could add some pomegranate juice to the spiced cider for a nice variation on this apple cider cocktail.
• This is a lightly spiced cider. You could use regular apple cider without any spices or increase the amount of spices for a stronger spice component to the apple cider.

Storage

How to store spiced apple cider mix?

• Just store in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 2 weeks.

Can you make a large batch of Moscow Mules for parties?

• Absolutely! We recommend making the proportions you want of vodka, spiced apple cider and lime juice, then when ready to serve, pour into the mugs, topping with the fizzy ginger beer. If you would prefer, you can batch the entire recipe including the ginger beer as well, but since ginger beer is carbonated, you will lose the effervescence the longer the ginger beer has been exposed to air.

Troubleshooting

There really isn’t anything that can go wrong with this drink. But if making a large batch, do not add the ginger beer to the batch as the effervescence will not last and it will come across flat.

What appetizers to serve with Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mules

We love the idea of finger foods of any type with refreshing cocktails like this mule. Most often we serve these along with a cheese fondue or any type of charcuterie board. Try out our Mushroom and Asparagus Cheese Soufflé Bites for a great bite-sized appetizer!