Make a delicious sweet-tart Caramel Apple Mule Mocktail! This fall mule mocktail is made with apple cider. A quick drink perfect for entertaining or a weeknight beverage.
This drink is a fall version of the classic mocktail mule!
It's the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with all the fall vibes from apple cider and coconut sugar caramel.
Apple cider makes a great mule mix-in because it's already quite concentrated with apple flavor, and it adds sweetness to cut the bite.
Coconut sugar caramel is the real star of the show though - coconut sugar has a natural caramel flavor, so it's perfect to be our 'caramel' to part of the caramel apple vibe. Whip up a super quick simple syrup (a more concentrated version of my coconut sugar simple syrup for more caramel flavor) and mix it right into the drink!
Add lime juice and top with ginger beer for a fabulous fall mocktail!
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Why this recipe works
Alcohol: The key to a mocktail that tastes like a cocktail is to replace the bite or acidity that alcohol adds to a cocktail. In this mocktail I use a larger quantity of lime juice, which is naturally tart, to mimic the taste of alcohol.
Caramel: coconut sugar has a caramelly flavor (that I use to make vegan caramel!) - in this recipe I'm using a more concentrated version of my coconut sugar simple syrup that's the right texture to mix into mocktail
Why You'll Love These Caramel Apple Mule Mocktails
- All the fall vibes - the caramel apple flavor is bursting through!
- No Alcohol - of course! It's a mocktail, so there's no alcohol at all. If you want to add alcohol I give the quantity and type of liquor below
- Dietary needs - besides being alcohol-free this mocktail is plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free
- Quick and easy - it only takes a few minutes to whip up - keep coconut sugar syrup on hand for an even quicker prep
- Great for kids and adults - the kids can have fun feeling like an adult and the adults can enjoy a cocktail without the effects of alcohol
Pro Tip: grab some mule glasses for the perfect vibes! Especially with mocktails, the vibes make a difference!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Apple Cider: use fresh apple cider for best flavor
- Lime Juice: fresh lime juice is best, especially for cocktails
- Coconut Sugar Syrup: a more concentrated version of my coconut sugar simple syrup - instead of a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, I use a 2:1 ratio for more caramel flavor
- Ginger Beer or Ginger Kombucha: I used Q's Ginger Beer - it's sweetened with agave! In my cranberry mule mockail recipe I used GT's ginger kombucha.
- For Garnish: apple slices, lime wedges, & cinnamon sticks
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Make the simple syrup. Heat the coconut sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let cook 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool slightly before making the mocktail.
Step 2. Add the apple cider, lime juice, and coconut sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill halfway with ice, then cover and shake for 20-30 seconds until frosty.
Step 3. Add the crushed ice to your mule glass, pour the apple cider mixture over the ice, then top with the ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge, cinnamon stick, and apple slices.
FAQ & Expert Tips
Add an ounce of vodka! You can also replace the lime juice with vodka if you want something with less of a bite.
Mix up a large batch of the apple cider, lime juice, and coconut sugar syrup mixture. Place in a pitcher - you can also add the garnishes here. Guests can serve themselves and top off their glasses with ginger beer as they go.
Nope! Ginger beer is more like a ginger soda. It's totally alcohol-free and used as a mixer in many cocktails and mocktails.
Reed's ginger beer is classic and available most places. In this mule I used Q Mixers - I love that it's sweetened with agave. It's my go-to ginger beer for mocktails!
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this mocktail. Thank you for alcohol-free drinks that we can enjoy. Amen.
More fall mocktails
📖 Recipe
Caramel Apple Mule Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
Coconut Sugar Syrup
- 1 Cup Coconut Sugar
- ½ Cup Water
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla optional
Caramel Apple Mule Mocktail
- 4 Ounces Apple Cider
- 1 Ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 Ounce Coconut Sugar Simple Syrup from above
- 4 Ounces Ginger Beer or Ginger Kombucha I used Q Mixers Ginger Beer
- 1 Cup Crushed Ice plus more whole ice for shaking
- For Garnish: apple slices, lime wedges, cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup. Heat the coconut sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let cook 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool slightly before making the mocktail.
- Add the apple cider, lime juice, and coconut sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill halfway with ice, then cover and shake for 20-30 seconds until frosty.
- Add the crushed ice to your mule glass, pour the apple cider mixture over the ice, then top with the ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge, cinnamon stick, and apple slices.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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