Are you looking for a simple cocktail for fall? This apple cider Moscow mule is so refreshing and easy to make! It takes just 5 minutes and a few simple ingredients that scream FALL!
A riff on a classic Moscow mule, this variation includes apple cider, apples, fresh thyme and cinnamon sticks for a fall cocktail. While this recipe is meant to serve one, this apple cider cocktail is easy to to multiply to serve a crowd!
What is a moscow mule?
A moscow mule is a cocktail traditionally made with vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice.
It’s said that the Moscow mule was created in the early 1940’s. The story has it that the vodka cocktail was created at the bar of the Cock ‘n’ Bull restaurant due to a need to market vodka and ginger beer to Americans, neither of which were popular at that time. The rest is history!
Here’s what you’ll need
Ingredients: vodka, apple cider, ginger beer, lime, fresh thyme, apple slices and cinnamon sticks
Equipment:
- Copper mugs
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Citrus Juicer
How to serve
Moscow mules are traditionally served in a copper mug. The copper mug keeps the cocktail chilled while you drink it!
This apple cider version is garnished with fresh thyme, sliced apples and a cinnamon stick for a festive fall drink!
FAQs
If you don’t have a copper mug to serve your Moscow mules in, don’t let that stop you! Just use whatever you have.
Apple juice is not the same as apple cider. It’s filtered and sweetened and not 100% made with pure apple juice. Apple cider is less sweet and has a tangier taste. You will want to use apple cider for this recipe!
Yes! If you’re serving a crowd, just multiply this drink by however many people you need to serve. I like to make this cocktail in a big pitcher without the ice. Keep it refrigerated and pour over ice just before serving so that the cocktail is not diluted by melting ice cubes.
You sure can! Go for it!
No, you really cannot use dried thyme for this recipe. The fresh thyme just lightly infuses the apple cocktail. Dried thyme would be ingested and make this drink taste very nasty. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can substitute with fresh rosemary or omit it entirely.
Yes! Just substitute the alcohol with ginger ale or ginger beer. You’ll have a refreshing apple drink!
Pure, distilled vodka, even if made with gluten-containing grains (wheat, barley, or rye), is considered gluten-free. However, if you’d like to be extra cautious, there are brands of vodka that are made from potatoes. Keep in mind, some vodka companies add flavoring and those may not be gluten-free. Personally, I use Tito’s vodka, which is potato-based and naturally gluten-free!
Despite the name containing the word “beer” in it, ginger beer is non-alcoholic and typically is naturally gluten-free! Always check the ingredients of your ginger beer to confirm it is truly gluten-free.
Use your favorite apple! I like to use honey crisp or pink lady for this recipe because the colors are gorgeous and the apples are very crisp and hold up well to being placed in liquid.
Want more gluten-free apple recipes? Try these!
- Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Hand Pies
- Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Cinnamon Scones
- Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts
- Sweet Potato, Sausage and Apple Breakfast Hash
- Apple Kale Smoothie
More cocktail recipes you’ll love!
- Serve this Apple Cider Thyme Mimosa recipe for brunch!
- The color of this Blood Orange Margarita is so stunning!
- This Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita is a little spicy and a whole lot refreshing!
- This Easy Cranberry Mimosa is so festive for the holidays!
- Love gin? Then you’ll love this Meyer Lemon Rosemary Bees Knees Cocktail!
- This Thanksgiving Punch recipe has all the flavors of fall!
Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz apple cider
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1/2 lime - juiced
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1/2 apple - sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
**Use the toggle button above to turn the instruction photos on and off!
Instructions
- In a copper mug, add the vodka, apple cider and lime juice. Stir well.
- Fill the glass with ice, then top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with fresh thyme sprig, apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
Notes
- This recipe makes 1 cocktail as noted. Multiply the ingredients by however many servings you need to make!
- If you are making this recipe in bulk, add all of the ingredients to a large pitcher, except for the ice. Stir to combine. Then pour over ice just before serving so that the cocktail does not get diluted by melting ice.
- If you’d like to make this recipe non-alcoholic, add additional ginger beer or ginger ale in place of the vodka.