With the cooler weather moving in and the leaves starting to turn, this fall Moscow mule with bourbon and apple cider is the perfect fall cocktail! It’s easy and festive, a real fall treat.
WHAT IS A KENTUCKY MULE?
A Kentucky mule is a play off of the classic Moscow mule that uses bourbon whiskey instead of vodka. This apple cider bourbon mule recipe is a fall-inspired play on the Kentucky mule.
CASK STRENGTH BOURBON VS. REGULAR BOURBON
There are different types of bourbon available for purchase, so you may see a bottle labeled ‘cask strength’ or ‘barrel proof’. Cask strength bourbon is taken directly from the barrel to the bottling line, whereas a standard bourbon will have some water added in order to get it to the appropriate taste or ABV the distiller is looking for to sell it. To get to the point, cask strength or barrel proof whiskey is stronger. It’s often touted as having a deeper flavor profile.
TELL ME ABOUT THIS FALL-INSPIRED KENTUCKY MULE RECIPE
Level of difficulty: Easy. Measure, stir, and enjoy!
Flavor: Sweet apple cider and spicy ginger beer are the predominant flavors in this fall cocktail
Time: It will take you less than 5 minutes to mix up this fall mule recipe
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
Bourbon Whiskey – I recommend using cask strength bourbon for this fall mule recipe
Ginger Beer – select a ginger beer you’d enjoy drinking on it’s own, I personally like this one
Apple Cider – use a fresh apple cider, like you may find at your local farmer’s market or at your favorite apple orchard during the fall months, if you can
OVERVIEW: HOW TO MAKE A BOURBON APPLE CIDER MULE
- Fill a copper mug with ice
- Add bourbon, apple cider, and ginger beer to the mug and stir to combine
- Optionally garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or apple slice and enjoy!
See a quick story series on this apple cider bourbon mule recipe here!
FAQS
Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer in this fall mule recipe? I would not recommend swapping ginger ale for the ginger beer in this apple cider Kentucky mule recipe for a few reasons. Ginger ale is much sweeter than ginger beer, which isn’t needed with the apple cider in this cocktail recipe. Additionally, ginger ale doesn’t have that ginger kick that ginger beer does, which will leave your cocktail without that big ginger punch you are expecting in a classic Moscow mule.
Why are Moscow mules and Kentucky mules served in copper mugs? Besides tradition, it’s said that the copper mugs help to keep this cocktail nice and cold. Plus, when you’re drinking a cocktail out of a copper mug, everyone knows it’s a mule!
What’s the best bourbon to use in a fall Kentucky mule? Whatever bourbon whiskey you enjoy is a good bourbon to use in this fall cocktail. If you are newer to bourbon, I’d recommend purchasing a high quality bourbon like J.Henry & Sons, Makers Mark Cask Strength, or Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. If you have a local distillery near you that makes bourbon, give them a try too!
LOVE THIS RECIPE? YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
Apple Cider Bourbon Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz apple cider
- 4 oz ginger beer
- ice
- optional: apple slice s and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Fill copper mug with ice
- Measure out all ingredients and pour into copper mug
- Stir to combine
- Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick if desired, and enjoy!
My favorite fall drink! What could be better than a Kentucky mule with apple cider???
I’m so happy to hear this, and totally agree. Cheers!