Pumpkin Spice Mule

Savor the flavors of the season with a Pumpkin Spice Mule. Pumpkin, ginger and spices come together in this marvelous, refreshing sipper.

Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice is here to stay.

From lattes to donuts to beer, there’s really not much pumpkin spice hasn’t touched. You could even say, all that glitters is now pumpkin spice.

Joking aside, pumpkin spice is actually not that bad! I don’t have to have it in every coffee drink, but I do try to enjoy it a few times a season.

One of the cocktails I tried it in recently is a pumpkin spice mule, and it does not disappoint.

The time between fall and summer is weird, awkward and sometimes outright hot. I know we don’t expect the season to switch over on Sept. 22 exactly, but thereabouts would be nice!

This interim season calls for cocktails that taste like fall but are cold and refreshing like summer drinks.

Pumpkin spice Moscow mule cocktail recipe

Enter the pumpkin spice mule.

It features homemade pumpkin spice syrup, ginger beer, lime juice and your favorite spirit.

Traditional mules call for vodka, but I think bourbon or applejack are better for fall mules.

Vodka will make the drink lighter, while bourbon will add a rich, oaky flavor. Applejack is apply brandy that brings apple flavor to the mix.

Some vodka brands make pumpkin spice vodka, which would be really delicious in this cocktail.

This cocktail would be so delicious especially at Thanksgiving. It’s essentially a pumpkin pie Moscow mule!

What is a Moscow mule?

A Moscow mule is a cocktail that is traditionally made with vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. It’s an easy sipper that’s both thirst-quenching and light.

It is often served in a copper mug, but you don’t have to serve it in one if you don’t have one handy!

Ingredients

The pumpkin spice Moscow mule only calls for a few ingredients.

Pumpkin spice syrup: The real pumpkin, cinnamon, clove and other fall spices in this syrup are what give this cocktail its warmth and fall flavors. I prefer to make my own pumpkin spice syrup for my coffee drinks and cocktails, but you can also buy it. Check out this Torani pumpkin sauce or this Monin pumpkin spice syrup, though I’ve not tried them.

Vodka or bourbon: I vote bourbon for a more fall-tasting drink, because of the sweet caramel flavor it brings to a drink. But if you want something lighter, vodka or light rum will work well too! Or, there’s pumpkin spice vodka if you want to double the pumpkin flavor. Check out my Bourbon 101 guide and Vodka 101 guide if you need help picking a brand to buy.

Lime juice: Lime juice is key to any Moscow mule. The citrus adds a little zing that balances out the sweetness and spiciness. For a fresher taste, use a fresh lime — one half a lime per cocktail. the store-bought stuff will work fine in a pinch though!

Ginger beer: Ginger beer is a fermented ginger soda that’s non-alcoholic. I taste-tested all the ginger beer brands I could find and ranked them by spice level. If you have ginger ale on hand, that will work but know that your cocktail might be a bit on the sweet side. I also should mention that Trader Joe’s sells a pumpkin spice ginger beer, which might take this cocktail up a notch, big time! I haven’t found it here yet, but let me know if you try it!

Crushed ice: Ice is an important cocktail ingredient. For this one, I recommend crushed ice, but regular cubes will work just fine. Crushed ice keeps your copper mug ice cold.

How to make a pumpkin spice mule

You can pull off this cocktail in just a few steps.

1. First, make your pumpkin spice syrup. It only takes a few minutes, and you can keep it in your fridge for a week to use in more cocktails.
2. Then, in your mule mug, add your crushed ice. (Cubes work too!)
3. Add the syrup and bourbon. (Or vodka if you choose!)
4. Add your lime juice. If you’re using a fresh lime, you can drop in the spent shell. The zest of the lime will add some more citrus bite as it infuses.
5. Lastly, top with ginger beer. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon on top!

It would be such a good Thanksgiving cocktail to serve next month, right alongside this pumpkin spice old-fashioned! (Is anyone else out there thinking about the holidays already?)

Fall Moscow Mules

Moscow mules can be enjoyed year-round, but the ginger flavor makes them ideal for fall. Try these fall mule drinks this season:

• The applejack mule features apple brandy for a delicious apple ginger flavor.
• Use bourbon and apple cider to make an apple cider Moscow mule that’s delightful to sip.
• The Irish whiskey mule and Kentucky mule use different kinds of whiskey to mix up the traditional vodka drink.
• My favorite for the holidays is this Yule Mule with cranberry juice. You can also use pomegranate juice!
• It’s not fall without caramel apples, but how about a caramel apple mule? It uses caramel vodka for a sweet twist.
• This gingerbread mule is a great one to get you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season.

I’d love to hear how you like this pumpkin spice Moscow mule! Please leave a review or a comment below.