If a Moscow mule and an apple pie had a cocktail baby, you’d end up with this Apple Butter Rumbler Cocktail! Make the most of that gorgeous farmer’s market apple butter and apple cider with this drink that’s the best of fall – apples, spices, and…RUM! Trust me when I say you really need to try this if you’re into fall drinks. And feel free to play with the liquor – I tested it out with several types of rum, bourbon, cognac, and even gin before settling on an aged rum as my favorite. Cheers to the first official week of fall!

Table of Contents

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Apple Butter Rumbler Cocktail at home:

Apple cider – It’s that time of year when there’s plenty of apple cider to be found. Use whatever kind you like, but apple juice is no substitute for cider y’all.
Ginger beer – I love ginger, so the spicier the ginger beer the better in my book!
Aged rum – Keep scrolling for my rum recommendations for this drink. You could also use bourbon, cognac, vodka, or even a tom cat gin if you prefer.
Apple butter – Store bought, fresh from the farmer’s market, or homemade, whatever apple butter you like will work here. Don’t try and sub it out with applesauce though, it’s not the same 😉
Cointreau – Cointreau is a type of triple sec from France that’s got a sweet, strong orange flavor. The first time I taste tested this cocktail I skipped the Cointreau and the whole thing fell a little flat. It took me a minute to figure out what it needed, and once I did – YUM! It brought the whole drink to life.

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Rum Recommendations

There are a lot of rums that will work in this cocktail, but I definitely recommend something aged or dark. What’s the difference? Well all aged rums are dark rums, but not all dark rums are aged rums. I’m no expert, but you can read more from actual experts here.

Aged rums cover a wide range of rums that have aged in a barrel and can be really light amber to very dark. They usually develop notes of caramel, vanilla, and spices while aging. Recommended bottles:

Plantation Grande Reserve Rum 5 Yr ($27.99)
Diplomatico Rum Reserva Exclusiva ($37.99)

Dark rums range from deep amber to almost black. The dark color can come from the aging process, added coloring, or both. They usually have notes of molasses, spice, and dried fruit. Recommended bottle:

El Dorado 12 YO Guyana ($31.99)

Some Jamaican rums would even work in this drink! They tend to be a little spicier and funkier than regular aged rums due to the ingredients and aging method, but I think that pairs well with the ginger beer. Recommended bottle:

Appleton Estate Reserve Rum 8 Yr ($33.99)

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Recipe

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Apple Butter Rumbler Cocktail

Prep: 5

Total: 5

Servings: 1 serving

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Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all ingredients except ginger beer to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Pour into a copper mug and add ice.
Top with ginger beer and garnish with apple slice, orange twist, cinnamon stick, and fresh rosemary, if desired.