Low Carb Pumpkin Moscow Mule

This Low Carb Pumpkin Moscow Mule is a wonderfully spiced fall cocktail: vodka, real pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and lime, topped up with fizzy diet ginger ale and served ice cold in a copper mug. It tastes like autumn in a glass, and each drink has just 2g net carbs, so it's keto friendly too!

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A Moscow mule is a classic cocktail made from vodka, spicy ginger beer and lime juice. It's refreshing and simple, but it can be surprisingly high in carbohydrates if it's made with a pre-mixed cocktail base or regular, sugary ginger beer. This pumpkin version keeps everything we love about a mule and swaps out the sugar, so you can enjoy a seasonal drink without blowing your carbs for the day.

How Many Carbs Are in a Moscow Mule?

Vodka itself has zero carbs, and the splash of lime juice adds less than a gram. The problem is the ginger beer. A regular Moscow mule is topped with 4 to 6 ounces of it, and most brands are sweetened with sugar, so a typical bar or restaurant mule lands somewhere around 15 to 20 grams of carbs, almost all of it sugar. Some ginger beers are even sweeter than that, which is exactly the kind of hidden carbs that sneak up on you when you're eating low carb.

A keto Moscow mule fixes that with one simple swap: diet (zero sugar) ginger beer or ginger ale. That takes the carbs in the mixer down to zero, and the only carbs left in this drink come from a spoonful of pumpkin puree, a little lime juice and a dash of vanilla. The result is just 2g net carbs per drink, compared with 15g or more in the regular version.

If you'd like a classic version with no pumpkin at all, I've also made a zero carb Moscow mule as part of my zero carb cocktails collection, and it's awesome!

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Vodka. Any plain, unflavored vodka works and has zero carbs. Avoid flavored or "whipped" vodkas, which often contain added sugar.
• Pumpkin puree. Yes, this cocktail really does have pumpkin in it, not just the spice mix! Use 100% pure pumpkin like Libby's canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which is loaded with sugar. Pumpkin does contain some carbs, but you only need a couple of tablespoons for two drinks.
• Pumpkin pie spice. This is what gives the drink its cozy fall flavor, and it adds that extra zing you'd normally get from a spicy ginger beer. I use Simply Organic pumpkin pie spice, or you can mix your own cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.
• Vanilla extract. A little pure vanilla extract rounds out the spices and makes the drink taste a bit like pumpkin pie.
• Lime juice. Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled lime juice is fine in a pinch.
• Diet ginger ale or diet ginger beer. Diet ginger beer can be tricky to find in stores, and diet ginger ale is much easier to find, so that's what I've used here. Zevia zero sugar ginger ale is sweetened with stevia and works really well. If you prefer the stronger bite of a true ginger beer, look for a zero sugar one such as Reed's Zero Sugar Extra Ginger Beer.
• Cinnamon sticks. Optional, but they make a pretty garnish and add a little extra spice as you sip. A bag of cinnamon sticks lasts all season.

How to Make a Low Carb Pumpkin Moscow Mule

Add the pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pie filling), pumpkin pie spice, vodka, lime juice, vanilla extract and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker.

Shake well, then divide the cocktail between two copper mugs. Top up with diet ginger ale or ginger beer, add more ice as needed, and garnish with cinnamon sticks. You'll love these autumnal flavors, all in one delicious, refreshing cocktail!

Helpful Tips

Shake it hard. Pumpkin puree is thick, so give the shaker a good 15 to 20 seconds. That breaks up the pumpkin and blends it smoothly with the vodka and spices instead of leaving little clumps at the bottom of the mug.

Add the fizz last. Never put the ginger ale in the shaker. Pour it over the top once the drink is in the mug so it keeps all its bubbles.

Chill everything first. Cold vodka, cold ginger ale and chilled mugs mean the ice melts more slowly, so your drink stays strong and flavorful rather than watery.

Taste and adjust. Diet ginger ales vary a lot in sweetness. If yours is on the mild side, add a few drops of liquid stevia or a teaspoon of low carb simple syrup. If it's too sweet, add an extra squeeze of lime.

Use up the rest of the can. You'll only use a couple of tablespoons of pumpkin here, so freeze the leftovers in an ice cube tray for your next round of drinks, or bake a batch of keto pumpkin muffins.

Variations

• Pumpkin mule mocktail. Leave out the vodka and top each mug with extra diet ginger ale, or use half ginger ale and half plain sparkling water for a lighter drink. It's still just 2g net carbs, and it's a great option for kids and anyone who's driving.
• Apple cider mule. Swap the pumpkin pie spice for apple pie spice and add a few drops of apple extract to each drink. For real apple flavor, add 1 tablespoon of unsweetened apple cider per mug, which adds about 2g of carbs per drink. A splash of apple cider vinegar also gives a nice tangy, cider-like kick with no extra carbs.
• Extra spicy. Add a few slices of fresh ginger to the shaker, or use a zero sugar ginger beer instead of ginger ale for a bolder bite.
• Pumpkin spice London mule. Swap the vodka for gin, just like in my Low Carb London Mule.
• Creamy pumpkin mule. Shake in a tablespoon of heavy cream for a richer, pumpkin pie style drink.

Serving Ideas

This is the perfect drink for fall get-togethers, from a cozy Friday night in to Thanksgiving appetizers. Serve it with a bowl of roasted pumpkin seeds, a cheese board, or spiced nuts for an easy low carb snack spread.

It also makes a great grown-up drink for a Halloween party. Pair it with a few of my Low Carb Halloween Recipes and offer the mocktail version for the kids.

Storing & Making Ahead

This cocktail is best mixed and served right away, because the ginger ale loses its fizz quickly. To get ahead for a party, stir together the vodka, pumpkin puree, lime juice, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice (without ice) and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. Shake well with ice just before serving, then top with ginger ale.

A finished Moscow mule doesn't freeze well, since the carbonation is lost. The pumpkin mixture can be frozen, though: pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze for up to 3 months, then let the cubes thaw in the shaker before mixing. Leftover plain pumpkin puree freezes well too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Moscow mule keto?

A traditional Moscow mule isn't keto, because regular ginger beer is full of sugar. Made with diet ginger beer or ginger ale like this one, it absolutely can be: this pumpkin Moscow mule has just 2g net carbs per drink.

How many carbs are in a regular Moscow mule?

Usually around 15 to 20 grams, depending on the brand of ginger beer and how much is used. Nearly all of those carbs come from the ginger beer, since vodka has none.

What's the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

Ginger beer has a stronger, spicier ginger flavor, while ginger ale is milder and sweeter. Either works here as long as it's a diet or zero sugar version, and the pumpkin pie spice adds back some of the warmth you'd get from ginger beer.

Do I need copper mugs?

No, but they're traditional and they keep the drink really cold. Any tall glass or tumbler works just as well.

Can I make a pitcher for a crowd?

Yes! Multiply the vodka, pumpkin, lime, vanilla and spice by the number of servings you need, whisk them together in a pitcher, and let everyone pour over ice and top up their own mug with ginger ale.

More Low Carb Cocktails

If you loved this recipe, here are a few more low carb drinks you might enjoy:

• 10 Low Carb Vodka Drinks
• Glitter Halloween Cocktail
• Zero Carb Cocktails
• Low Carb Gin Apple Cocktail

📖 Recipe