Pumpkin Mule

Nothing says Fall like a Pumpkin Mule!  Served in a frosty copper mug and garnished with cinnamon and thyme, this refreshing cocktail is made with spiced pumpkin vodka, apple cider, pumpkin butter, and ginger ale.  There’s no better way to send off summer, and ring in Fall!

The days are getting cooler, and shorter.  Summer is fleeting.

Rather than mourn its inevitable end, I am gearing up for Fall and enjoying all there is to celebrate!

Cooler weather means heartier foods, like baked butternut squash pasta, homemade New York pizza, and sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash.

It also means pumpkin-flavored everything, like our chocolate chip pumpkin bread or pumpkin spice bourbon milk punch and this pumpkin mule!

Ingredients and tools

The vodka

Moscow Mules, and most variations thereof, such as our cranberry mule, contain vodka.

For this pumpkin mule, we selected Crop’s spiced pumpkin vodka.  We’ve found that it enhances the Fall flavor we were aiming for when crafting this cocktail.

If this is not available to you, consider using a Vanilla flavored, or plain vodka.

Note:  If you’d like to make this non-alcoholic, you can omit the vodka and increase the ginger ale, or even use a vanilla-flavored seltzer.

Alternatively, there are some fantastic non-alcoholic spirits that are becoming quite popular.

Seedlip Spice makes an excellent non-alcoholic substitute for the vodka in this recipe.

The ginger ale

Generally, mules will call for ginger beer as opposed to ginger ale.  Ginger beer tends to be stronger in flavor than ale.

For the purposes of this cocktail, we wanted the pumpkin flavor to outweigh the ginger flavor which is why we opted for ginger ale.

Trader Joe’s does make a pumpkin spice ginger beer, so that could work well if you’re able to find it.

The pumpkin butter

We used Trader Joe’s pumpkin butter, but if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s close by, you can order other brands of pumpkin butter from Amazon, or find it in your local grocery store.

You may even find a locally made pumpkin butter at a farm stand.

The apple cider

Mules usually include some type of acid, such as lime juice.

Since this is a Fall cocktail, we went with apple cider.

Any apple cider will work.  Our favorite is Red Jacket Orchards since it’s grown locally in New York.

The garnish

Is a cocktail really complete without a garnish?

Unless you’re making the Oliveto cocktail, probably not.

We used thyme and cinnamon sticks to further enhance the flavor in the pumpkin mule, but these are merely suggestions.

Feel free to get creative and use what is available to you.

Some fun alternatives can include:

• rosemary sprigs
• star anise
• pumpkin pie spice
• lemon peel
• apple slices

The tools

Traditionally, mules are served in copper mugs.

I highly recommend using them for two reasons – they extend the coldness of the cocktail, and they look beautiful!

Since the drink is made directly in the mug, there is no need for a shaker.

You’ll need a jigger or measuring spoon or cup, and a spoon to mix.  That’s it!

How to make it

Fill a copper mug with crushed ice.

Add the apple cider, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin vodka, and give the ingredients a quick stir.

Add the ginger ale and give another quick stir.

Garnish with a sprig of thyme and cinnamon stick and serve immediately.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin mule for gatherings

If you’re hosting a gathering and serving this cocktail, consider making a pitcher’s worth ahead of time.

Simply combine the vodka, apple cider, and pumpkin butter in a pitcher and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

When serving, fill the copper mug with crushed ice and fill about a third of the way with the pitcher ingredients.

Then top with the ginger ale, garnish and serve.

Note:  You can adjust the number of servings in the recipe card to suit your needs and the ingredient amounts will automatically adjust.

Also great for Fall gatherings is our white wine sangria with pears and apples.  Simple, and so good!

More Fall cocktails

If you’re looking for more Fall cocktails, you’ve come to the right place.  Check these out and leave us a comment below to tell us which is your favorite!

• Apple margarita – Made with smoky mezcal, apple jam, apple cider, pear liqueur, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, this is the perfect way to transition from summer to fall.
• Blackberry bramble – This drink isn’t full of Fall flavors, but the Creme de Mure makes for a spooky-looking drink that is perfect for Halloween, especially when garnished with a skull skewer!
• Apple pie a la mode martini – Dessert in a glass, this frozen cocktail combines vanilla ice cream, hard cider, vodka, and club soda. Includes a non-alcoholic version as well!
• Pumpkin spice martini – With a maple butter/pumpkin pie spiced rim, this cocktail combines vanilla and pumpkin vodkas and Rumchata.
• Apple cider old-fashioned – A twist on the original, this version adds apple cider making it a Fall inspired drink.

If you’ve enjoyed this pumpkin mule recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and tell us about it in the comments below.

We would love to hear how you did and it’s nice to show others as well.  Thanks!

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