Transform Your Moscow Mule Into A Fall Treat With This Simple Addition

Since its invention in the 1940s, the Moscow Mule – which is made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice over ice — has been a staple warm weather drink. One of the reasons for this is that signature copper mug that it's served in, which keeps it ice cold, ideal for a sweltering summer day. As Moscow Copper explains, the metal has unique temperature conductive properties, so when it is filled with ice and chilled vodka, it becomes frigid, keeping the drink colder for longer. But just because summer is coming to an end doesn't mean you have to put the copper cups away for the season.

When we think of fall flavors, we usually think of warm, cozy thoughts of drinks meant to taste like pies. Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cinnamon are iconic flavor combinations often served hot to warm us up on crisp autumn evenings. However, recently, more people have come to realize that you don't have to wait for the weather to cool down to enjoy these flavors, so they are finding ways to serve them cold. Even Starbucks, the arguable champion of the fall weather flavor frenzy, now offers icy versions of both its Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Apple Crisp Macchiato. So if you can enjoy your favorite fall coffee cold, why not give your favorite cold cocktail an autumnal twist?

So how can you make your classic Moscow Mule a seasonal fall treat? Just add a little bit of apple cider. There are a couple of ways to incorporate this fruity twist into your mule, the most basic of which is laid out by A Couple Cooks. The site's recipe simply calls for mixing ¼ cup of apple cider with ¼ cup of vodka, ⅓ cup of ginger beer, and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Shake it over ice, then serve with a garnish of lime and a cinnamon stick. Masterclass notes that if you are in an area where fresh apple cider is not readily available, apple juice can work for this recipe in a pinch, though it will lack some of the complex flavors of cider. Advanced Mixology explains that any mule can substitute ginger ale for ginger beer if you are looking for a sweeter, less spicy drink.

On the fancier and boozier side of this fall remix, Joyful Healthy Eats recommends substituting regular apple cider for your favorite hard apple cider and swapping out standard vodka for a lemon vodka. These are all mixed together with lime juice and ginger beer and then garnished with ground cinnamon on top. Other potential ways to mix up your mule for fall include adding a shot of cinnamon whiskey, garnishing your drink with apple slices, or finishing your glass with a rim of spices and brown sugar (per Masterclass).