Hot Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe

The mule, winterized. A classic Moscow mule runs on ginger beer — a sugar bomb. This hot version heats real apple cider and stirs in a Moscow Mule Stix instead: the Stix is the ginger, so there’s no ginger beer and no syrup. 0g sugar from the mixer; the cider brings its own natural fruit sugar — that’s the honest trade.

Ingredients

  • 1 Moscow Mule Cocktail Stix
  • 6–8 oz apple cider
  • 1.5–2 oz bourbon (or vodka), optional
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Apple slice or orange peel, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the cider in a small pot (or microwave) until steaming — not boiling.
  2. Pour into a mug and stir in the Stix until dissolved. A copper mug holds the heat and looks right.
  3. Stir in the bourbon, if using.
  4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice. Sip hot.

Variations

  • Slow-cooker batch (serves 8): 64 oz cider + 8 Stix, on low. Set the bourbon beside it and let guests spike their own.
  • Extra spice: warm the cider with a star anise or two whole cloves; strain them out before serving.

FAQ

Does the Stix dissolve in hot cider? Yes — faster than it does in cold water.

How much sugar? The mixer adds 0g. Apple cider has natural fruit sugars — that’s the cider, not the mixer.

Prefer it cold? The Apple Cider Mule is the same flavors over ice.

Get the Moscow Mule Stix →

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