Apple Cinnamon Mule

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/9/22
Tested by Joan Velush
Apple Cinnamon Mule cocktail

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
566 Calories
1g Fat
124g Carbs
2g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 566
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 19mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 124g 45%
Dietary Fiber 18g 65%
Total Sugars 96g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 56mg 280%
Calcium 66mg 5%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 851mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Toast autumn with this fall twist on a Moscow mule. Infused with apple and cinnamon flavor, the recipe is fun and simple—you'll love how easy it is to mix up.

Building on the Moscow mule base of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, the only extra addition you need to make is apple cider. It may sound like a small tweak, but what a difference it makes! The apple flavor plays perfectly with the spiciness of a ginger beer and the cinnamon garnish slowly infuses even more flavor into the brew.

This recipe comes from Ketel One, one of the best premium vodkas available. It offers a crisp, smooth taste that forms an ideal backdrop for a variety of drinks. While it's amazing in clean cocktails like the vodka martini, it does just as well in a spiced apple cocktail like this.

“The Apple Cinnamon Mule is a cocktail well suited for fall. I could see serving this to guests after a day of apple picking. Be sure to have some fresh apple cider and your favorite brand of ginger beer on hand to mix up this seasonal cocktail.” —Joan Velush

Apple Cinnamon Mule/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka

  • 1 1/2 ounces apple cider

  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 3 to 4 ounces ginger beer

  • Apple slice, for garnish

  • Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make an apple cinnamon mule cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the vodka, apple cider, and lime juice.

    A cocktail shaker with vodka, apple cider, lime juice, and ice

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Shake well.

    A hand shaking a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Strain into a copper mug filled with fresh ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick. Serve and enjoy.

    An apple cinnamon mule garnished with an apple slice and cinnamon stick

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Tips

  • Be sure to explore your ginger beer options. Each brand offers a different taste—some are spicier, while others are sweeter. The popularity of the Moscow mule has given this brewed beverage a new spotlight, so there are more choices than ever before. If you see an unfamiliar bottle, pick it up and give it a try!
  • During the apple harvest, take advantage of fresh-pressed cider if you can find it. Many orchards offer it and you can find the unfiltered, cloudy version in a number of produce markets during the fall season. If you like a project, try making your own apple cider at home. It's a great way to use up excess apples.
  • Prevent your apple garnish from turning brown by dipping it in a little lime juice after cutting it. Lemon juice is typically recommended, but since you're adding lime to the drink anyway, it will work just fine.

Recipe Variations

  • On chilly days, serve the apple cinnamon mule warm. It's easy to do on the stovetop or in the microwave—follow the tips for the Christmas Mule—and the ginger beer really comes to life under the heat.
  • Add an extra dimension of flavor to this cocktail by infusing the vodka with complementary flavors. Try making your own vanilla vodka or really turn up the autumnal flair by creating an apple-pear-cinnamon vodka.

How Strong Is Apple Cinnamon Mule?

Since the vodka is the only liquor in the apple cinnamon mule, it's a rather low-proof drink. On average, you can expect it to have an alcohol content of around 8 percent ABV (16 proof), so it's like enjoying a glass of wine.