When I want a drink that feels both fresh and simple, I reach for an Apple Cider Mule.

An Apple Cider Mule mixes apple cider, ginger beer, lime juice, and vodka for a crisp and refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule. This drink is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

The apple and ginger flavors blend well and make the cocktail taste bright and slightly tangy.

I like how the hint of spice from the ginger beer balances the sweetness from the cider.

This recipe is a good choice for fall, but I find it works all year round when I want something a little different.

It only takes a few minutes to put together and is great for sharing with friends or enjoying alone.

Apple Cider Mule Cocktail Recipe

Making an Apple Cider Mule brings together fresh apple cider, vodka, and ginger beer for a seasonal drink with a crisp bite.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

I recommend using a copper mug because it keeps the Apple Cider Mule cold for longer.
If a copper mug isn’t available, a highball or rocks glass will also work.
I use a cocktail jigger to measure the liquids accurately.

A simple bar spoon or long-handled kitchen spoon is useful for stirring.
I also keep a small citrus juicer for squeezing lime, but you can squeeze by hand if needed.
A knife and small cutting board help with cutting lime and garnishes like apple slices or cinnamon sticks.

For extra flair, I sometimes use a peeler to get thin apple slices for garnish.

Ingredients

Basic amounts per serving:

2 oz vodka
2 oz apple cider
1/2 oz lime juice about half a lime
3-4 oz ginger beer
Garnish: apple slices lime wedge, cinnamon stick

Adjust the ginger beer to taste if you like it lighter or stronger.

Instructions

I fill my copper mug with ice first so the drink is very cold.
Next, I pour in the vodka, apple cider, and fresh lime juice.

I stir these together for a few seconds with my bar spoon to mix the flavors.
Then I add ginger beer last.
I like to pour it gently so it keeps its bubbles.

After the ginger beer, I give the cocktail one more slow stir.
For garnish, I top the drink with a few thin apple slices, a lime wedge, or a cinnamon stick.

Notes

I find this cocktail works best with cold ingredients from the fridge.

For a sweeter version, I sometimes use honeycrisp apple cider.

To make it non-alcoholic, I just skip the vodka and add a little more cider and ginger beer.

You can use spiced ginger beer for extra warmth in the flavor.

If you want to batch the cocktail for a group, mix everything but the ginger beer in a pitcher with ice, then top up each mug with ginger beer just before serving.

Always use fresh lime juice for the cleanest taste.

I don’t recommend making these ahead since the ginger beer loses its fizz.

Tasting Notes

When I take a sip of the Apple Cider Mule, I notice the first taste is crisp apple.

The cider flavors are light, yet present. They give the drink a gentle sweetness.

The ginger beer adds a sharp, fizzy bite. It pairs well with the apple.

I find that the fresh lime juice cuts through the sweetness and gives a little tang.

Here are the main flavors I pick up:

Apple: soft and fruity
Ginger: spicy and lively
Lime: sour and fresh
Vodka: mild, mostly in the background

The cocktail is cold and refreshing.

When I serve it over ice, it stays cool for a long time.

The bubbles from the ginger beer make the drink a little tingly on my tongue.

The drink has a light golden color.

Sometimes, I like to add a thin apple slice or a sprig of mint as a garnish.

This makes it look brighter and more inviting.

I think the Apple Cider Mule tastes best when served very cold.

Each ingredient blends to create a balance of sweet, sour, and spicy notes.

Must Have Ingredients

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Substitute

Sometimes I just don’t have all the usual ingredients on hand. When that happens, I lean on a few easy swaps to throw together an Apple Cider Mule anyway.

Ginger Beer Substitutes:
If ginger beer’s missing from the fridge, I usually grab ginger ale instead. It’s lighter, definitely sweeter, but honestly, it still pairs pretty well with apple cider.

Another option? Club soda with a splash of ginger syrup for a drier, less sugary take. That combo is actually kind of refreshing, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Vodka Substitutes:
Sometimes I want to change things up, so I’ll swap vodka for rum or whiskey. Apple cider actually gets along really well with both, and the drink turns out warmer and a bit richer.

Vodka → Rum or Whiskey

Apple Cider Substitutes:
If apple cider’s out, apple juice steps in—though it’s definitely sweeter and misses some of that tang. I usually squeeze in a little lemon to balance things out.

Garnishes are fair game too. Sometimes I skip the lime wedge and toss in a cinnamon stick or a thin slice of apple, just to see what happens.

Apple Cider Mule Cocktail Recipe