Spiced Apple Cider Mule 

This Spiced Apple Cider Mule cocktail is a crisp, spiced twist on the classic Moscow Mule, perfect for showcasing the bold character of a good hard apple cider.

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Born in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

It wasn’t just any storm. It was Hurricane Helene—the kind of storm that doesn’t just rattle windows, but reshapes seasons. The kind that makes you pause, take stock, and find comfort in the small things.

In the days after Helene swept through Upstate South Carolina, the skies cleared, but the land was soaked and the orchard was quiet. The apples had held on—stubborn and sweet, like the people who grow them. The cows, unfazed, returned to their slow grazing. And the team at Fat Ass Heifer Cidery did what they always do after a storm: they gathered.

There was bourbon on the table. A few limes. A stash of ginger beer someone had brought “just in case.” And, of course, the first press of the season’s cider—still young, still wild, but full of promise.

They poured, stirred, and tasted. Someone added a cinnamon stick. Someone else sliced up an apple. And just like that, the Spiced Apple Cider Mule was born—not out of celebration, but out of resilience. A drink to mark the moment. A toast to what endured.

Now, every fall, when the air turns sharp and the apples are ready, we make it again. Not just because it tastes good (though it does), but because it reminds us of that storm, that gathering, and the way a simple drink can carry a story.

So when you sip a Spiced Apple Cider Mule, you’re not just tasting cider. You’re tasting survival, Southern grit, and the kind of community that knows how to weather a storm—and come out stronger.

Ingredients for Spiced Apple Cider Mule: 

• 4 oz hard apple cider (Fat Ass Heifer Cider recommended) 

• 1.5 oz bourbon or apple brandy 

• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice 

• 2 oz ginger beer 

• Dash of ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick (optional) 

• Apple slices and fresh mint for garnish 

• Ice 

Instructions for Spiced Apple Cider Mule: 

1. Fill a copper mug or cocktail glass with ice. 

1. Add the bourbon (or apple brandy) and lime juice. 

1. Pour in the hard apple cider and top with ginger beer. 

1. Stir gently to combine. 

1. Garnish with a thin apple slice, a sprig of mint, and a dusting of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick. 

Notes: 

For a sweeter version, use a semi-sweet cider. For a spicier kick, add a few slices of fresh ginger before stirring. This cocktail pairs well with grilled meats, sharp cheeses, or a cool evening on the porch.