Apple Cider Moscow Mule – Platings + Pairings

This Apple Cider Moscow Mule puts a Fall twist on the traditional moscow mule cocktail. Apple cider, lime juice, vodka and ginger beer are all you need for this delicious cocktail.

This post was originally published in 2018. It was updated in 2021 to add new photographs. The original recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

Today I’m putting a twist on the traditional moscow mule by throwing some apple cider into the mix. I thought it would be perfect for Fall and would make a fun and festive cocktail for Thanksgiving.

If you’ve ever made a Moscow Mule, you know that it is a super simple recipe. There’s basically no measuring involved, no cocktail shakers needed and no fancy ingredients. And there are so many Moscow Mule variations!

• Making a traditional moscow mule cocktail is simple! You just need three ingredients – vodka, ginger beer and lime. Fill a mug (or glass) with ice, add 1 shot of vodka, the juice of ½ a lime and top it off with ginger beer.
• For this apple cider moscow mule, I added in 4 ounces of cider and cut the lime back to just 1/4 lime.

How do you measure a shot of vodka?

In the United States, a shot of liquor is generally considered to be 1.5 ounces. Here are three ways to measure a shot of vodka:

• Use a tablespoon. A tablespoon holds about ½ ounce of liquid. So just pour three of those into your moscow mule.
• Use a shot glass. A standard shot glass holds 1.5 ounces. Pour one of those into your moscow mule.
• Learn to free pour. If your bottle of vodka comes with a pour spout on it, or if you have a pour spout at home, a three-count pour should give you about 1.5 ounces. Have fun practicing at home with a shot glass and an empty bottle filled with water. See if you can get really accurate with this. It’s a tip that I learned from my old bartending days and it definitely makes fixing cocktails much easier!

Can you make a moscow mule with ginger ale?

• While it will still taste good, ginger ale will make a much sweeter moscow mule and the ginger flavor will not be so pronounced. I definitely prefer ginger beer in my moscow mules because I like the bite of the ginger flavor and like my cocktails on the not-so-sweet side.

I don’t like vodka? Can I use a different liquor in my Apple Cider Moscow Mule?

You sure can! My friend Hillary made this delicious Spiced Apple Cider Mule using a combination of bourbon and Fireball cinnamon whisky. You could also swap in these liquors:

• Tequila – This is also known as a Mexican Mule.
• Gin – This is also known as a Gin Buck or Gin Gin Mule.
• Rum – This is also known as a Dark ‘n Stormy if it’s made with dark rum.

To finish off my Apple Cider Moscow Mule, I dressed it up with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick. This is totally optional, but super pretty. You could also garnish it with a rosemary sprig or lime wheel.

If you loved this Apple Cider Moscow Mule recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give it a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished cocktail and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings.

More Moscow Mule recipes: 

Did you love this cider cocktail? You’ll love my apple cider vodka cocktail too!