Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe

I’m excited to share my Apple Cider Moscow Mule recipe, a fall twist you can batch ahead for the next party.

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I never expected a simple mix of apple cider and vodka to flip my idea of fall drinks. Sweet, sour, and boozy, it walks a line between party punch and something I sip alone, thinking about the world outside my window.

People tag it under Apple Cider And Vodka Fall Drinks or even Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe Pitcher when they make it for guests, and you can see why. There is this crisp hit that makes you curious, like wait, did that just happen?

I keep finding new ways to serve it, and every time it surprises me.

Ingredients

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Vodka: Neutral spirit that adds alcohol burn but no nutrients, calories come from ethanol.
Apple cider: Fresh pressed cider brings natural sugars, vitamin C and antioxidants, its mostly carbohydrates.
Lime juice: Bright tartness, low calories, adds acidity and vitamin C, lifts other flavors.
Ginger beer: Fizzy spicy kick, gives ginger flavor and heat but often has lots of sugar.
Sweeteners: Pure sugar calories, maple adds deeper caramel notes, syrup just sweetness and body.
Cinnamon: Warm aromatic stick, tiny antioxidants and flavor, almost no calories but adds depth.
Apple slices: Crisp apple slices give a little fiber, fresh fruit aroma and it’s a pretty look.

Ingredient Quantities

Single serving:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz apple cider (raw or fresh pressed)
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
- 3 to 4 oz ginger beer, to top
- Ice cubes, about 1 cup
- Optional 1/2 oz maple syrup or 1/4 to 1/2 oz simple syrup, if you like it sweeter
- Garnish: 1 to 2 thin apple slices and 1 cinnamon stick, plus a lime wedge

Batch for about 8 servings:
- 16 oz (2 cups) vodka
- 32 oz (1 quart) apple cider
- 4 oz fresh lime juice (about 8 limes)
- 24 to 32 oz ginger beer, to taste
- Ice, for serving
- Optional 4 oz maple syrup or 2 to 4 oz simple syrup
- Garnish: several apple slices and 8 cinnamon sticks, plus lime wedges

How to Make this

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1. For a single drink, fill a mug or glass with about 1 cup of ice, then pour in 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice; if you want it sweeter add 1/2 oz maple syrup or 1/4 to 1/2 oz simple syrup, then give it a quick stir.

2. Top with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer, stir gently so you dont lose the fizz, and garnish with 1 to 2 thin apple slices, 1 cinnamon stick (use it as a stirrer), plus a lime wedge.

3. Taste and tweak: add a little more lime if it needs brightness or a splash more syrup if you like it sweeter, small changes make a big difference.

4. To make a batch for about 8, chill a large pitcher first, then combine 16 oz (2 cups) vodka, 32 oz (1 quart) apple cider, and 4 oz fresh lime juice; stir in optional 4 oz maple syrup or 2 to 4 oz simple syrup if you prefer sweeter.

5. Keep the ginger beer chilled and separate until serving so it stays bubbly; you can add 24 to 32 oz ginger beer to the whole batch if you want but i like to top each glass individually.

6. To serve the batch, fill mugs or glasses with ice, pour about one eighth of the pitcher into each (roughly 6 to 8 oz), then top each with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer and garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick and a lime wedge.

7. Make pretty, non diluting ice by freezing small apple slices in apple cider in an ice tray ahead of time, they look great and keep the drink from getting watery.

8. If you want extra cinnamon flavor, stir briefly with the cinnamon stick and let it sit a minute but dont oversteep or it can get bitter.

9. Keep extra ginger beer on hand to top off glasses as needed, and keep the pitcher chilled so drinks stay cold without melting too much ice.

10. Serve in chilled mugs or glasses, drink responsibly and enjoy the sweet sour boozy fall vibes.

Equipment Needed

1. Mug or highball glass (chilled if you can)
2. Measuring jigger or measuring cups/spoons for 2 oz, 4 oz, 1/2 oz etc
3. Large pitcher, chilled for batch mixing
4. Bar spoon or long-handled spoon for gentle stirring
5. Ice trays (for plain ice or cider-frozen apple slices) and freezer space
6. Sharp knife and cutting board for apples and limes
7. Citrus reamer or handheld juicer for fresh lime juice
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a ladle or large spoon for serving

FAQ

Q: What vodka should I use?
A: Use a clean, neutral vodka so the cider and ginger shine through. Mid-shelf wheat or potato vodkas work great, or try an apple flavored vodka if you want a sweeter, more obvious apple note.

Q: Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?
A: You can, but ginger ale is milder and sweeter. If you use ginger ale reduce any added sweetener and consider adding a splash more lime so it doesn't taste flat.

Q: Is raw or fresh pressed cider necessary, or is store bought okay?
A: Store bought pasteurized cider is fine and safer for parties, it just lacks the bright, grassy flavors of fresh pressed. If you want that fresh taste try to buy local cider or press at home.

Q: How far ahead can I make a batch?
A: Mix the vodka, cider and lime up to 24 hours ahead and keep refrigerated. Don’t add the ginger beer until serving so it stays fizzy. If you've added syrup, taste before serving cause sweetness can mellow.

Q: Want a nonalcoholic version?
A: Replace vodka with extra apple cider or a nonalcoholic spirit, keep the lime, and top with ginger beer or spicy ginger soda. It’s still bright and festive.

Q: Do copper mugs really matter?
A: They help keep the drink cold and look classic, but they dont change the flavor. Use chilled glass if you dont have copper mugs, just add plenty of ice.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka:
- Gin — same measure, gives a herbal, piney edge if you want more flavor.
- White rum — a bit sweeter and lighter, plays nicely with apple notes.
- Apple brandy or Calvados — way more apple character, use about 1.5 oz if you dont want it too boozy.
Apple cider:
- Apple juice (pasteurized) — sweeter and clearer; dilute about 3:1 with water to mimic raw cider.
- Pear juice or pear cider — similar texture, milder fruity taste.
- Hard cider — swaps some vodka out, so reduce vodka by ~1 oz and taste.
Ginger beer:
- Ginger ale — less spicy and sweeter; add a splash of fresh grated ginger for bite.
- Club soda + ginger syrup or grated ginger — control sweetness and heat better.
Maple/simple syrup (sweetener):
- Honey — use about 1/2 oz, gives a warm, floral sweetness.
- Agave nectar — milder, use a little less than maple for same sweetness.
- Brown sugar simple syrup — adds caramel and toasty notes similar to maple.

Pro Tips

– Chill everything and keep the ginger beer separate until the last second so it stays bubbly. If you batch the cider+vodka ahead, keep that pitcher cold and pour the ginger beer into each glass when you serve. Also keep extra ginger beer on hand to top off warm cups.

– Freeze apple slices in cider to make ice cubes, they look great and wont water the drink down as fast. Makes the cups photogenic too, so do this the day before if you can.

– Taste and tweak, dont be afraid to nudge it brighter or sweeter. Add a splash more lime for zip, or a little maple/simple syrup if it needs rounding out. Small changes make a big difference when you scale for a crowd.

– Use the cinnamon stick as a stirrer but dont oversteep it or it can turn bitter. Give it a quick stir to wake up the spice, then set it in the glass for garnish so the aroma keeps coming while people sip.

Recipe by Sammy Hunter

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I’m excited to share my Apple Cider Moscow Mule recipe, a fall twist you can batch ahead for the next party.

Servings

servings

Calories

240

kcal

Equipment: 1. Mug or highball glass (chilled if you can)
2. Measuring jigger or measuring cups/spoons for 2 oz, 4 oz, 1/2 oz etc
3. Large pitcher, chilled for batch mixing
4. Bar spoon or long-handled spoon for gentle stirring
5. Ice trays (for plain ice or cider-frozen apple slices) and freezer space
6. Sharp knife and cutting board for apples and limes
7. Citrus reamer or handheld juicer for fresh lime juice
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a ladle or large spoon for serving

Ingredients

Single serving:
2 oz vodka
4 oz apple cider (raw or fresh pressed)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
3 to 4 oz ginger beer, to top
Ice cubes, about 1 cup
Optional 1/2 oz maple syrup or 1/4 to 1/2 oz simple syrup, if you like it sweeter
Garnish: 1 to 2 thin apple slices and 1 cinnamon stick, plus a lime wedge
Batch for about 8 servings:
16 oz (2 cups) vodka
32 oz (1 quart) apple cider
4 oz fresh lime juice (about 8 limes)
24 to 32 oz ginger beer, to taste
Ice, for serving
Optional 4 oz maple syrup or 2 to 4 oz simple syrup
Garnish: several apple slices and 8 cinnamon sticks, plus lime wedges

Directions

For a single drink, fill a mug or glass with about 1 cup of ice, then pour in 2 oz vodka, 4 oz apple cider, and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice; if you want it sweeter add 1/2 oz maple syrup or 1/4 to 1/2 oz simple syrup, then give it a quick stir.
Top with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer, stir gently so you dont lose the fizz, and garnish with 1 to 2 thin apple slices, 1 cinnamon stick (use it as a stirrer), plus a lime wedge.
Taste and tweak: add a little more lime if it needs brightness or a splash more syrup if you like it sweeter, small changes make a big difference.
To make a batch for about 8, chill a large pitcher first, then combine 16 oz (2 cups) vodka, 32 oz (1 quart) apple cider, and 4 oz fresh lime juice; stir in optional 4 oz maple syrup or 2 to 4 oz simple syrup if you prefer sweeter.
Keep the ginger beer chilled and separate until serving so it stays bubbly; you can add 24 to 32 oz ginger beer to the whole batch if you want but i like to top each glass individually.
To serve the batch, fill mugs or glasses with ice, pour about one eighth of the pitcher into each (roughly 6 to 8 oz), then top each with 3 to 4 oz ginger beer and garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick and a lime wedge.
Make pretty, non diluting ice by freezing small apple slices in apple cider in an ice tray ahead of time, they look great and keep the drink from getting watery.
If you want extra cinnamon flavor, stir briefly with the cinnamon stick and let it sit a minute but dont oversteep or it can get bitter.
Keep extra ginger beer on hand to top off glasses as needed, and keep the pitcher chilled so drinks stay cold without melting too much ice.
Serve in chilled mugs or glasses, drink responsibly and enjoy the sweet sour boozy fall vibes.

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.