I perfected an Apple Cider Moscow Mule that scales into a pitcher for effortless fall entertaining, and the clever twist in my version will have guests asking for the recipe.
I never expected apple cider and vodka to team up and surprise me like this. Sweet, sour, boozy, the drink made me pause mid sip and wonder why I hadnt done it sooner.
I started riffing on an Apple Cider Moscow Mule after a lazy Saturday and it turned into one of my favorite Fall Cocktails Recipes to pull out when people stop by. It has a bright edge that keeps it from being predictable yet party friendly so you can scale it up if you want.
Try one and youll be plotting how to trick your guests next time.
Ingredients
- Vodka: Mostly alcohol, no protein or fiber, adds boozy warmth and calories, neutral flavor.
- Apple cider: Sweet, fruity source of carbs and natural sugars, some vitamin C, little fiber.
- Fresh lime juice: Bright sour punch, low calorie, vitamin C rich, balances sweetness nicely.
- Ginger beer: Spicy, fizzy and sweet, adds ginger heat and carbonation, lots of carbs.
- Maple or simple syrup: Optional sweetener, pure sugar, raises calories and sweetness, no fiber or protein.
- Cinnamon stick: Aromatic, adds warm spice and subtle sweetness, contains antioxidants, negligible nutrients.
- Apple slice garnish: Crunchy fresh bite, offers small fiber boost and natural apple flavor.
Ingredient Quantities
- Single serving (about 1 cocktail)
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz apple cider
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 1/2 a lime)
- 3 to 4 oz ginger beer
- Ice (a few large cubes)
- Apple slice for garnish
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
- Optional 1/4 to 1/2 oz maple syrup or simple syrup
- Party batch (about 8 servings)
- 1 1/2 cups vodka (12 oz)
- 3 1/2 cups apple cider (28 oz)
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 oz)
- 3 to 4 cans ginger beer (about 48 to 64 oz)
- Ice for serving
- Sliced apples and several cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Optional 1/2 to 1 cup maple syrup or simple syrup
How to Make this
1. Decide single or batch: single uses 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, 3 to 4 oz ginger beer, a few large ice cubes, apple slice and cinnamon stick, optional 1/4 to 1/2 oz maple or simple syrup. Party batch uses 1 1/2 cups vodka, 3 1/2 cups apple cider, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 3 to 4 cans ginger beer (about 48 to 64 oz), ice for serving, sliced apples and several cinnamon sticks, optional 1/2 to 1 cup syrup.
2. Chill everything first if you can. Cold vodka, cold apple cider and cold ginger beer mean less ice and a brighter fizzy drink, trust me.
3. For single serve: fill your mug or glass with a few large ice cubes, add 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, 1/2 oz fresh lime juice and if you want it sweeter add 1/4 to 1/2 oz maple or simple syrup. Give it a quick stir so the syrup mixes in.
4. For the party batch: in a large pitcher combine 1 1/2 cups vodka, 3 1/2 cups apple cider, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice and 1/2 to 1 cup maple or simple syrup if using. Stir to dissolve the syrup. Do not add the ginger beer yet unless you plan to serve immediately.
5. Keep the ginger beer separate until right before serving. Add ginger beer to the single glass 3 to 4 oz at a time or to the pitcher 48 to 64 oz total, just before serving, so you keep the fizz.
6. Pour, gently stir once to combine the ginger beer without killing the bubbles, and top with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. The cinnamon stick works as a stirrer and releases subtle spice if you swirl it a bit.
7. Hacks and tips: use a copper mug or chilled glass, use large ice cubes so it stays cold without diluting fast, taste and adjust sweetness with more maple or simple syrup or a splash more lime if it needs brightness, and if you want more cinnamon flavor give the cinnamon stick a light smack on the counter first to wake it up.
8. For making ahead: mix vodka, cider and lime and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add ginger beer and ice only when guests arrive, then garnish and serve.
Equipment Needed
1. Jigger or measuring cup with oz and cup markings, for precise pours
2. Large pitcher or beverage dispenser for batch mixing, chilled if you can
3. Copper mug or highball glass for single serves
4. Long handled bar spoon or stirring spoon to mix without killing the fizz
5. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer for fresh lime juice
6. Paring knife for slicing apples and trimming cinnamon sticks
7. Small cutting board for prep
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a large ice cube tray or big ice molds, they melt slower
9. Can or bottle opener for ginger beer, plus a funnel if you want to avoid spills (optional)
FAQ
Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Vodka
- Gin — gives a herbal, juniper edge if you want something more interesting
- Light rum — sweeter and warmer, works well with apple flavors
- Nonalcoholic spirit (like Seedlip) or extra cider — keeps cocktail booze free but still grown-up
- Apple cider
- Pear cider or pear juice — similar body but a bit fruitier
- Fresh apple juice + pinch of ground cinnamon — cleaner taste, add spice to mimic cider
- Cranberry-apple blend — adds tartness and color for a brighter drink
- Ginger beer
- Ginger ale — milder and sweeter, good if you want less bite
- Ginger kombucha — fizzy with fermented tang, nice for complexity
- Soda water + ginger syrup — control the spice level, use more or less syrup to taste
- Maple syrup or simple syrup (optional)
- Honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water) — floral sweetness, feels rustic
- Agave nectar — neutral, dissolves easy and less viscous than maple
- Brown sugar simple syrup — deeper molasses notes for a cozy fall vibe
Pro Tips
1) Chill everything first. Cold vodka, cider and ginger beer mean you need less ice and the fizz stays bright, so stick bottles and the mug in the fridge ahead of time. Keep the ginger beer separate till you pour or you’ll lose the bubbles.
2) Use big ice cubes and a chilled glass or copper mug, they melt slower so the drink doesnt get watery fast. A few large cubes beat a cup of little chips every time.
3) Taste and tweak. If it’s too sharp add a little maple or simple syrup, if it’s flat add a bit more lime for brightness, dont be afraid to adjust to your taste.
4) Wake the cinnamon stick and use it. Smack it lightly on the counter to release the oils, then use it as a stirrer so the spice slowly infuses the drink.
5) Make-ahead hack for parties: mix the vodka, cider and lime and keep it refrigerated up to 24 hours. Dont add ginger beer or ice until right before serving so every glass stays fizzy and cold.
Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
I perfected an Apple Cider Moscow Mule that scales into a pitcher for effortless fall entertaining, and the clever twist in my version will have guests asking for the recipe.
1
servings
242
kcal
Equipment: 1. Jigger or measuring cup with oz and cup markings, for precise pours
2. Large pitcher or beverage dispenser for batch mixing, chilled if you can
3. Copper mug or highball glass for single serves
4. Long handled bar spoon or stirring spoon to mix without killing the fizz
5. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer for fresh lime juice
6. Paring knife for slicing apples and trimming cinnamon sticks
7. Small cutting board for prep
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a large ice cube tray or big ice molds, they melt slower
9. Can or bottle opener for ginger beer, plus a funnel if you want to avoid spills (optional)
Ingredients
Single serving (about 1 cocktail)
2 oz vodka
4 oz apple cider
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 1/2 a lime)
3 to 4 oz ginger beer
Ice (a few large cubes)
Apple slice for garnish
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Optional 1/4 to 1/2 oz maple syrup or simple syrup
Party batch (about 8 servings)
1 1/2 cups vodka (12 oz)
3 1/2 cups apple cider (28 oz)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 oz)
3 to 4 cans ginger beer (about 48 to 64 oz)
Ice for serving
Sliced apples and several cinnamon sticks for garnish
Optional 1/2 to 1 cup maple syrup or simple syrup
Directions
- Decide single or batch: single uses 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, 3 to 4 oz ginger beer, a few large ice cubes, apple slice and cinnamon stick, optional 1/4 to 1/2 oz maple or simple syrup. Party batch uses 1 1/2 cups vodka, 3 1/2 cups apple cider, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 3 to 4 cans ginger beer (about 48 to 64 oz), ice for serving, sliced apples and several cinnamon sticks, optional 1/2 to 1 cup syrup.
- Chill everything first if you can. Cold vodka, cold apple cider and cold ginger beer mean less ice and a brighter fizzy drink, trust me.
- For single serve: fill your mug or glass with a few large ice cubes, add 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, 1/2 oz fresh lime juice and if you want it sweeter add 1/4 to 1/2 oz maple or simple syrup. Give it a quick stir so the syrup mixes in.
- For the party batch: in a large pitcher combine 1 1/2 cups vodka, 3 1/2 cups apple cider, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice and 1/2 to 1 cup maple or simple syrup if using. Stir to dissolve the syrup. Do not add the ginger beer yet unless you plan to serve immediately.
- Keep the ginger beer separate until right before serving. Add ginger beer to the single glass 3 to 4 oz at a time or to the pitcher 48 to 64 oz total, just before serving, so you keep the fizz.
- Pour, gently stir once to combine the ginger beer without killing the bubbles, and top with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. The cinnamon stick works as a stirrer and releases subtle spice if you swirl it a bit.
- Hacks and tips: use a copper mug or chilled glass, use large ice cubes so it stays cold without diluting fast, taste and adjust sweetness with more maple or simple syrup or a splash more lime if it needs brightness, and if you want more cinnamon flavor give the cinnamon stick a light smack on the counter first to wake it up.
- For making ahead: mix vodka, cider and lime and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add ginger beer and ice only when guests arrive, then garnish and serve.
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: 295g
- Total number of serves: 1
- Calories: 242kcal
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 0g
- Monounsaturated: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Potassium: 70mg
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 24g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Vitamin A: 50IU
- Vitamin C: 8mg
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 0.2mg
