🍎 Apple Pie Moonshine
Easy Instant Pot Recipe for the Best Homemade Holiday Drink
🍎 Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine – the perfect gift in a mason jar!
📌 In This Article
🍎 Why This Apple Pie Moonshine Is the Best
It's almost apple season! You know what that means – it's time for Apple Pie Moonshine! Yes, you can make your own moonshine from the comfort of your own kitchen. It may not be "real" moonshine, but in terms of potency, it's pretty darn close. With the addition of Everclear (190 proof), Apple Pie Moonshine has got a serious kick!
- Instant Pot Fast: Ready in less than an hour of cooking time.
- Incredible Flavor: Apple juice, cider, caramel vodka, and warm spices.
- Perfect for Gifting: Looks beautiful in mason jars with ribbon and tags.
- Crowd Favorite: Rated 4.74 out of 5 by 34 readers.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Store in mason jars for later.
- Fall & Holiday Essential: The ultimate seasonal cocktail.
- Easy to Customize: Adjust sweetness or spice to your taste.
🧂 Ingredients for Apple Pie Moonshine
Yield: 164 ounces | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 45 minutes | Cooling time: 2 hours
Ingredients
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Combine the Base Ingredients
Pour the apple juice and apple cider into your Instant Pot. Add the white sugar and brown sugar.
2 Add the Spices
Add 4–6 cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and whole cloves to the pot.
3 Sauté Until Sugar Dissolves
Turn the Instant Pot on and choose the "Sauté" function. Sauté on high for approximately 5 minutes, or until all the sugar has dissolved in the apple juice mixture.
4 Pressure Cook
Close the lid and move the valve to the "Seal" position. Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes.
5 Natural Pressure Release
When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes.
6 Cool Completely
Open the lid and allow the mixture to cool completely. This is essential – you must wait until it reaches room temperature before adding the alcohol.
7 Add the Alcohol
Once the liquid has reached room temperature, pour in the Everclear and caramel vodka. Stir well to combine.
8 Strain and Remove Spices
Remove the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. This can be done using a strainer or by pouring through cheesecloth.
9 Store and Serve
Garnish with cinnamon sticks, serve, and enjoy! If you are saving your apple pie moonshine for a special occasion, mason jars are the perfect way to store for later.
✨ Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Moonshine
- Drink sparingly: Everclear is 190 proof and is VERY strong.
- Serve over ice: Enjoy as a shot or in a martini with your favorite cream-based liquor.
- Cool completely before adding liquor: Otherwise you may end up cooking out the liquor content.
- Store in glass mason jars: Not only does it look great, but it's also a great way to seal and save for later. No spilling!
- Refrigerate for long-term storage: Treat it like apple cider – keep it chilled.
- Adjust cinnamon to taste: Use 4–6 cinnamon sticks in the recipe and save the rest for garnishes.
- Use cheesecloth for straining: It catches all the small spice particles for a smooth finish.
- Make it a gift: Mason jars with ribbon and chalkboard labels make beautiful holiday presents.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
As a Shot
Serve chilled in a shot glass
Over Ice
Pour over ice for sipping
Martini Style
Mix with cream-based liquor
In Hot Coffee
Add a splash for a spiked coffee
As a Gift
Mason jars with ribbon and tags
Fall Parties
The ultimate seasonal cocktail
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you should still put it in the refrigerator like you would with apple cider. The alcohol content is high, but refrigeration is recommended for long-term storage.
The additional cinnamon sticks are used as garnishes. If desired, you can skip that part and then you'll only need about half as many.
Yes, vanilla vodka works too, but the caramel vodka gives it a richer, buttery flavor that's hard to beat.
The 45-minute pressure cook extracts more flavor from the cloves and cinnamon, resulting in a richer, more spiced moonshine.
Stored in mason jars in the refrigerator, it lasts for several months. The high alcohol content helps preserve it.
You can, but it won't have the same kick. You can substitute with vodka, but the potency will be much lower.
With the high alcohol content, it likely won't freeze solid. Some people put a jar in the freezer to see if it freezes, but refrigeration is the recommended storage method.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ APPLE PIE MOONSHINE ║
║ Easy Instant Pot Recipe for the Holidays ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: 164 ounces | PREP: 5 min | COOK: 45 min | COOL: 2 hours
INGREDIENTS:
- 64 oz apple juice
- 64 oz apple cider
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1½ cups Everclear grain alcohol (190 proof)
- 1½ cups caramel vodka
- 10-12 cinnamon sticks (half for recipe, half for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon whole cloves
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Pour apple juice and apple cider into Instant Pot.
2. Add white and brown sugar.
3. Add 4-6 cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and whole cloves.
4. Turn Instant Pot on and choose "Sauté" function.
5. Sauté on high for about 5 minutes until sugar dissolves.
6. Close lid and move valve to "Seal" position.
7. Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes.
8. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes.
9. Open lid and cool completely.
10. Once at room temperature, pour in Everclear and caramel vodka.
11. Remove cinnamon sticks and whole cloves using a strainer or cheesecloth.
12. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and serve. Store in mason jars for later.
"Tastes soooo good, but remember – it's pretty strong!" 🍎✨
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© Apple Pie Moonshine – Easy Instant Pot Recipe for the Best Homemade Holiday Drink 🍎
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