When it comes to making Moscow mules, this seasonal pumpkin spice cocktail is going to bring the cheer to all your upcoming gatherings.
Pumpkin spice lovers, this drink has you in mind.
A perfectly balanced pumpkin spice mule, with spicy ginger, a squeeze of lemon and warm pumpkin pie spices make this cocktail the best, lightly sweet drink for fall.
While this spiced mule is a great option for a Halloween cocktail or Thanksgiving beverage, it’s also the best idea for fall season tailgating. No one is going to turn down a festive, icy copper mug of pumpkin spice goodness.
Pumpkin Moscow Mule Ingredients and Substitutions
- Vodka – Plain vodka is best for this recipe. Tito’s and Ketel One are two of my favorites when making mules. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, try using vanilla-, pumpkin spice-, or marshmallow-flavored vodka. If using pumpkin spice-flavored vodka, you might need to reduce the amount of pumpkin pie spice extract used to prevent it from being over the top.
- Lemon juice – Using fresh citrus in cocktails makes a big difference. If using store-bought juice, opt for a higher quality juice such as Santa Cruz Organics.
- Pumpkin purée – Be sure to select canned pumpkin purée and not canned pumpkin pie mix to avoid an overly sweet cocktail. Fresh pumpkin purée can also be used, but should be made using sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins.
- Ginger juice – You can use store-bought ginger juice or freshly pressed ginger juice if you have a juicer. If using a spicy ginger beer (like Fever Tree), you could omit this ingredient, but it makes a nice addition and balances out the drink well if you can find it.
- Liquid pumpkin pie spice extract – Liquid pumpkin pie extract is great for drinks because you don’t get any grittiness as you do from dry spices in your beverage and it tends to incorporate better. Keep in mind that this is different from pumpkin spice flavored syrup. Liquid pumpkin pie extract is an unsweetened extract and can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores (I found it at Albertsons/Safeway). You can alternatively use ¼ teaspoon of ground pumpkin pie spice if you are unable to find this ingredient.
- Ginger beer – Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic soft drink flavored with ginger. Be sure to use ginger beer and not ginger ale. Ginger ale is typically sweeter with less real ginger flavor. Use your favorite brand of ginger beer. I find that the higher-end brands that you can pick up from the liquor store tend to have better flavor and ingredients.
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Pumpkin Spice Mule Recipe Tips
- Mix the drink well before adding the ginger beer to prevent it from going flat. Even if mixed well, the pumpkin may settle towards the bottom if you’re not a quick drinker. Just give it a quick stir to refresh.
- The cinnamon sticks make excellent stir sticks. If your cinnamon sticks are not long enough to reach the bottom of the glass without being submerged, stick a toothpick in the narrowest part of the cinnamon stick to give it some additional length. Submerge the end with the toothpick so that the cinnamon stick is all you see.
- Crushed ice is nice, but not necessary. You can use any size of ice cube in this drink.
- For a low-carb cocktail, opt for a sugar-free ginger beer! Be sure to use a tried-and-true sugar-free ginger beer because using a ginger beer that does not have great flavor can really affect the flavor of this cocktail.
- You can adjust the ginger juice to taste for an extra spicy cocktail.
- If you like a sweeter cocktail, but don’t want to use flavored vodka, consider adding a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or coconut sugar. Add to the cocktail before adding the ginger beer so you can stir it enough to get it to dissolve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find ginger juice?
Ginger juice can be found in the Asian aisles of most health foods stores and some conventional grocery stores. Ginger juice can also be purchased online. ‘The Ginger People’ is the brand I most commonly find.
What can I use instead of a copper mug?
Copper mugs are the traditional glass used to serve a Moscow mule. However, it is by no means a necessity for this Fall cocktail. Any cocktail glass that has a volume of about 10-12 ounces (to allow room for ice) works just fine. Run a lemon wedge along the rim of the glass and dip it in a pumpkin spice sugar mixture (2 tablespoons of granulated sugar mixed with ¼ teaspoon of ground pumpkin pie spice) for an attractive and tasty addition to a normal cocktail glass.
More Cocktails to Make This Season
- Pumpkin Pie Martini
- Blood Red Punch
- Cranberry Spiced Martini
- Happy Elf Cocktail
- New Year’s Eve Countdown Cocktail
- Beer-Cider Slam
IF YOU DO MAKE SOMETHING FROM NOBLEPIG, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE HOW YOURS TURNED OUT! Take a snapshot and tag @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM so I can see how it turned out.
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Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz (1/4 cup) vodka
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1/4 of one lemon juiced)
- 1 tbsp pumpkin puree, rounded
- 1 tsp ginger juice (or more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice extract (or 1/4 tsp ground pumpkin pie spice)
- 5 oz ginger beer (about 2/3 cup)
- 1 cup crushed ice
- cinnamon stick, star anise, optional garnish
Instructions
- In a liquid measuring cup, mix together vodka, lemon juice, 1 rounded tablespoon of pumpkin purée, ginger juice, and liquid pumpkin pie spice extract. Stir until well combined.
- Add ginger beer and give it a light stir (not too much to avoid making it flat).
- Fill a copper mug with crushed ice. Pour the pumpkin spice Moscow mule over the ice.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.
Notes
Nutrition
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