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Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Beverages

Published: Sep 20, 2021 · Modified: Sep 25, 2022 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Apple Cider Bourbon Mule

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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.

A copper mug filled with this fall Kentucky mule recipe and garnished with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.

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 for this fall mule recipe: ginger beer, bourbon, and apple cider.

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

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice
  2. Add bourbon, apple cider, and ginger beer to the mug and stir to combine
  3. Optionally garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or apple slice and enjoy!
An apple cider bourbon mule cocktail being made. Images shows a copper mug filled with ice and a jigger of bourbon being poured into it.

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:

  • Chai Bourbon Cocktail
  • Tequila Mule (aka Mexican Mule)
  • Fall Red Wine Sangria
  • Gold Rush Cocktail
copper mug filled with this Apple Cider Bourbon Mule recipe and garnished with a cinnamon stick and apple slice. additional apples and cinnamon sticks surround the mug.

Apple Cider Bourbon Mule

Meredith
This apple cider bourbon mule recipe is a fall-inspired play on the Kentucky mule. Made with 3-ingredients, this easy cocktail recipe is perfect for fall,
5 from 6 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Cocktail
Calories 222 kcal

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!

Notes

*It is not recommended to substitute the ginger beer in this recipe with ginger ale. 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 mule cocktail.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 117mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

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    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. M. says

    August 02, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite fall drink! What could be better than a Kentucky mule with apple cider???

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      August 02, 2022 at 5:43 pm

      I’m so happy to hear this, and totally agree. Cheers!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Meredith!

I am a Midwest-based foodie and mom working full time by day and sharing my passion for all things food by night. Follow along for great recipes to share with your family and friends. I've got you covered for breakfast, dinner, snack-time, parties, desserts, drinks, and more!

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