This pumpkin spice mule recipe is a great way to shake up your tried and maaaaybe tired holiday traditions! Made with the real flavors of pumpkin, spices, and ginger beer, this drink is sure to impress at your next fall gathering.
It’s also perfect to enjoy throughout the entire winter holiday season! Because pumpkin spice deserves more than just October!!! This recipe was inspired by my pumpkin spice simple syrup. When dreaming up cocktails to make with the syrup, the flavor of ginger was calling to me.
When you’ve been creating homemade beverages for over 10 years, you tend to get creative when it comes to holiday drinks, like with this pumpkin spice espresso martini recipe! I’m a huge pumpkin spice fan, so I knew I needed to create even more pumpkin drinks!
why this ________ recipe works:
🎃 festive & flavorful. Pumpkin spice always has it’s moment in the sun from September – November. This reimagined classic cocktail puts those flavors front and center just in time for happy hour!
🍹 new twist on a classic. Moscow mules are a super popular beverage, and this seasonal spin makes it even more crave-worthy. It’s also easy to customize and make into a mocktail if you like!
⏱️ quick & easy. The only thing better than a fun and flavorful cocktail is one that is easy to make! This cocktail is party perfect because it can be made in a matter of minutes once you gather all the necessary ingredients!
🛒 ingredients
extra ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
Step 1: Fill your preferred glass with crushed ice. Choose a glass that has at least a 12 to 16-ounce capacity because the crushed ice takes up a lot of space in this cocktail.
Step 2: Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Use larger cubes to keep your drink from diluting as you shake it. Add 1 tbsp of pumpkin purée to the cocktail shaker.
Step 3: Add 1/2 ounce of lime juice next to the cocktail shaker.
Step 4: Pour 1/2 ounce of pumpkin spice simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.
Step 5: Finally, add 2 ounces of vanilla vodka to the cocktail shaker.
Step 6: Shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
Step 7: Strain into your cocktail glass. If you prefer for your cocktail to have no bits of pumpkin purée, you can strain it through a cocktail sieve before serving.
Step 8: Fill the glass to the top with ginger beer.
Step 9: Garnish with a cinnamon stick, dehydrated lime wheel, and a fine grating of nutmeg.
Step 10: Serve immediately.
💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- To make a mocktail of this mule, leave out the vodka and add in more ginger beer. You can also use an alcohol alternative like Spiritless Kentucky 74, Seedlip Grove, or Tennyson Black Ginger Alcohol Alternative. This is a perfect zero-proof option to serve at any event, from a stay-at-home movie night to a Halloween party!
Choose your glass
- The traditional glass for a Moscow mule is a copper mule mug. They conduct temperatures well and keep things nice and frosty. They also sweat, which is usually a deal breaker for me. 😅
- I have a couple double walled mule mugs I picked up at a Williams-Sonoma outlet (RIP W.S. Outlets), and I also love using other double-walled glasses like the ones from Bodum or from Elevated Craft. Of course, you can use whatever glasses you like!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- texture – Since this cocktail has pumpkin purée, the texture can be a little grainy. If you aren’t a fan of this, you can strain it through a fine mesh-sieve to remove larger particles. I didn’t find it to be off-putting, and I think it actually improved the flavor of the cocktail. Blending your drink can also help if you’re not a fan of the texture!
- sweetness – make sure to check the sugar content of the ginger beer you’re using. Some bottles can have more than 30 grams of sugar in them, making them pretty sweet! If your ginger beer has a lot of added sugar, you may want to cut the simple syrup you use in half and taste as you go. Alternatively, you can add in some more lime juice.
- too sour – if your limes are extremely acidic, your finished cocktail could be a bit sour. Add in some more simple syrup to balance things out, 1/4 ounce at a time. You can also add in a few drops of a homemade saline solution.
⚖️ scaling tips
This is the perfect cocktail to serve at a seasonal fall gathering, and it’s also very easy to scale up into a pitcher recipe! To make a pitcher of these cocktails, multiply everything by 8 servings in the recipe card below, and make sure to grab a pitcher that holds at least 64 ounces.
- If you have any leftovers, store it in a bottle with a stopper, and use care not to shake it. Shaking the bottle can build up pressure and lead to popping tops! 🍾
- Combine all ingredients except the ginger beer in the pitcher of a blender and pulse until everything is combined.
- Once mixed, pour the base of the cocktail into your pitcher of choice and refrigerate.
- Hold off on adding the ginger beer until just before you’re serving this cocktail to your guests so that the bubbles are nice and plentiful.
You can also make one or two cocktails and serve them shooter-style if you like! This would be a fun “shot board” cocktail to make as an arrival beverage for a Halloween party!
🔆 top tip
If you don’t have the time to make your own pumpkin spice simple syrup, you can buy a store-bought syrup. Additionally, you can use regular simple syrup and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.
Wanna save this recipe for later? 📬
I'll email this recipe post to you so you can have it for later!
♻️ substitutions & variations
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- plain vodka – while I preferred the taste of vanilla vodka in this cocktail, you can absolutely use plain vodka if flavored vodkas aren’t your style. Opt to use a quality brand like Tito’s, Absolut, Ketel One or Grey Goose.
- lemon – if you’re out of limes, you can use lemons instead. The flavor will be a bit different, but it will still be delicious!
- rum or tequila – another clear liquor like silver rum or blanco tequila can be substituted in this cocktail with ease. This cocktail also works well with spiced rum!
- zero-proof – make it a mocktail by omitting the vodka and adding in more ginger beer. This is a fun way to make sure all your guests at the party have the same cocktails, no matter whether they choose to drink or not.
- yule mule – if you’re looking for another festive variation on a mule, try out this cranberry mule, also known as a yule mule!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 storage tips
It’s best to serve this cocktail immediately after making it because of the carbonation and fresh ingredients used.
If you want, you can prepare it in advance and store it in a glass bottle with a stopper like these from Bormioli Rocco. If you do make your cocktails in advance, they are best enjoyed within 24 hours to maintain maximum effervescence! 😉
💬 q+a
Do I need to use pumpkin purée in this pumpkin spice mule?
Yes, it’s best to use pumpkin purée to amp up the pumpkin flavor. If you don’t have pumpkin purée on hand, you can skip it, but the flavor will be lighter.
Can I use store-bought syrup in this recipe?
Yes you can! If you don’t want to make your own pumpkin spice simple syrup, or don’t have the time to, you can use a store-bought pumpkin syrup instead of the homemade version.
What kind of alcohol can I use in a mule?
Traditionally, vodka is used in mule recipes. However, you can use whatever alcohol you like! Clear liquors like rum, vodka and tequila work very well because they don’t add a lot of flavor. With that said, you can also use flavored vodkas or rums if you choose. Dark liquors like whiskey and scotch can be used, but they add flavor because of the aging process or added colors or flavors.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read every single comment! I also love connecting on social media, so snap a pic and hashtag it #myrecipeforfun and tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or pin this recipe on Pinterest!
Pumpkin Spice Mule (Pumpkin Ginger Beer Cocktail)
Wanna save this recipe for later? 📬
I’ll email this recipe post to you so you can have it for later!
Equipment
- 1 Moscow mule mug or other glass with a 12 – 16 ounce capacity
- 1 set of measuring beakers can use a jigger
- 1 microplane zester for grating fresh nutmeg
Ingredients
For the Cocktail
- 2 ounces Vanilla Vodka Absolut brand recommended
- .5 ounce Lime Juice freshly squeezed
- .5 ounce Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Pumpkin Purée
- 4 ounces Ginger Beer Betty Buzz brand recommended
For the Garnish
- whole nutmeg
- dehydrated lime wheels
- cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Use larger cubes to keep your drink from diluting as you shake it.
- Fill your preferred glass with crushed ice. Choose a glass that has at least a 16 ounce capacity, because the crushed ice takes up a lot of space in this cocktail.
- Add 1 tbsp of pumpkin purée to the cocktail shaker.
- Add 1/2 ounce of lime juice next to the cocktail shaker.
- Pour 1/2 ounce of pumpkin spice simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.
- Finally, add 2 ounces of vanilla vodka to the cocktail shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
- Strain into your cocktail glass. If you prefer for your cocktail to have no bits of pumpkin purée, you can strain it through a cocktail sieve before serving.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, dehydrated lime wheel, and a fine grating of nutmeg.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
