🥧 Apple Pie Moonshine
On the Shelves & Ready to Sip!
📌 In This Article
🥧 The Moonshine Story
"Apple Pie Moonshine on the shelves! This old-fashioned Appalachian recipe tastes like liquid apple pie — smooth, sweet, and dangerously easy to drink."
If you've ever had a sip of real Apple Pie Moonshine, you know the magic. It tastes like liquid apple pie — sweet, spiced, and smooth. It's the kind of drink that warms you up on a cold night and makes you want to sit on the porch and watch the fireflies.
And the best part? It's incredibly easy to make at home. No still. No permit. Just a few simple ingredients, a big pot, and a little patience.
Now I've got Apple Pie Moonshine on the shelves, ready to sip whenever the mood strikes. And honestly? It's just as good as the stuff you buy — maybe better.
💬 The verdict: "Apple Pie Moonshine on the shelves!" — Ready whenever you are.
💪 Why Make Your Own Apple Pie Moonshine?
Liquid Apple Pie in a Jar!
🥃"Smooth, sweet, and dangerously easy to drink."
Saves Money
Pennies per jar
Real Ingredients
Cider, juice, spices
Unique Gift
Nobody else makes this
Make it once, sip it all year long.
Store-bought moonshine is expensive, and it's often inconsistent. Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine is made with real apple cider, apple juice, and warm spices — and you control the sweetness and the strength. Plus, it makes a beautiful gift for friends and family.
📦 Ingredients
🥧 For the Apple Pie Moonshine
- 🍎 1 gallon apple cider
- 🍏 1 gallon apple juice
- 🍚 2 cups granulated sugar
- 🍚 1 cup brown sugar – packed
- 🌿 4 cinnamon sticks
- 🌿 1 tbsp whole cloves – or 1 tsp ground
- 🌿 1 tbsp whole allspice – or 1 tsp ground
- 🌰 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 🍦 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 🥃 2 cups 190-proof grain alcohol – or 4 cups vodka
🧰 Equipment
- 🍲 Large stockpot – at least 2 gallons
- 🫙 Glass bottles or jars – for storage
- 🍶 Funnel – for filling bottles
- 🧀 Cheesecloth – for straining
💡 Pro tip: "Use real apple cider, not just apple juice. The cider adds depth and richness to the moonshine."
📊 The Perfect Ratio
This recipe is flexible. Adjust the sweetness and strength to your taste.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Apple cider | 1 gallon |
| Apple juice | 1 gallon |
| Granulated sugar | 2 cups |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Cinnamon sticks | 4 |
| Grain alcohol (190-proof) | 2 cups |
| Yield | About 4 quarts |
💡 Pro tip: "For a milder moonshine, use vodka instead of grain alcohol. For a stronger one, use 190-proof. Adjust to your taste."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Combine the Base
- In a large stockpot, combine the apple cider, apple juice, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.
- Stir to combine.
💡 Pro tip: "Use whole spices if you can. They're easier to strain out and give a cleaner flavor."
Step 2 – Simmer the Spices
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Do not boil hard — you don't want to evaporate the liquid.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
⚠️ Important: "Let the mixture cool completely before adding the alcohol. Adding alcohol to a hot mixture can cook off the alcohol and make it weaker."
Step 3 – Strain the Spices
- Line a large bowl with cheesecloth.
- Pour the cooled mixture through the cheesecloth to strain out the whole spices.
- Discard the spices.
💡 Pro tip: "If you used ground spices, you may need to strain twice to get a clear moonshine."
Step 4 – Add the Alcohol
- Once the mixture is completely cool, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the grain alcohol or vodka.
- Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
💡 Pro tip: "The moonshine will mellow as it sits. Taste it after a week and adjust if needed."
Step 5 – Bottle and Store
- Use a funnel to pour the moonshine into glass bottles or jars.
- Label with the date and the alcohol content.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
- For the best flavor, let it mellow for 2-4 weeks before drinking.
⚠️ Important Note
Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine contains alcohol. Store responsibly and keep out of reach of children. Consume in moderation. Never distill alcohol at home — it's illegal and dangerous.
🍽️ How to Serve Your Apple Pie Moonshine
🥧 Quick Ideas
- 🥃 Sip Straight: Serve chilled or at room temperature
- 🧊 Over Ice: Pour over ice for a refreshing drink
- ☕ Hot Toddy: Warm it up with a cinnamon stick
- 🥤 Spritzer: Mix with club soda for a lighter drink
- 🍎 Apple Cider Cocktail: Mix with fresh cider
- 🍂 Fall Party: Serve at Thanksgiving or Christmas
- 🎁 Gift: Tie a ribbon around the jar and give as a gift
- 🍦 Ice Cream Topping: Pour over vanilla ice cream
💡 Pro tip: "Apple Pie Moonshine makes a beautiful and unique gift. Tie a cinnamon stick around the jar for a festive touch."
🥫 How to Store
- 🏠 Cool, dark place: Up to 1 year in a sealed bottle
- 🧊 Refrigerator: Not necessary, but keeps it fresh longer
- 🫙 Glass bottles: Best for storage — avoid plastic
💡 Pro tip: "Let it mellow for 2-4 weeks before drinking. The flavors deepen and smooth out."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🍎 Use real apple cider: Not just apple juice. Cider adds depth.
- 🌿 Use whole spices: They're easier to strain and give a cleaner flavor.
- 🥃 Add alcohol after cooling: Hot liquid cooks off the alcohol.
- 🧂 Taste and adjust: Adjust the sweetness and strength to your preference.
- ⏳ Let it mellow: 2-4 weeks makes a big difference.
- 🎁 Make it a gift: Unique and thoughtful — nobody else makes this.
- 🥧 Keep it on the shelf: "Apple Pie Moonshine on the shelves!"
💡 Pro tip: "Smooth, sweet, and dangerously easy to drink."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is it legal to make Apple Pie Moonshine at home?
Yes! You're not distilling — you're infusing. Infusing alcohol at home is legal in most places. Check your local laws.
❓ Do I need a still to make this?
No! This recipe uses grain alcohol or vodka. You're not distilling anything.
❓ Can I use vodka instead of grain alcohol?
Yes! Use 4 cups of vodka if you want a milder moonshine. Use 2 cups of 190-proof for a stronger one.
❓ How long does Apple Pie Moonshine last?
Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place. The alcohol preserves it.
❓ Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce it slightly, but sugar helps with flavor and balance. Don't reduce it by more than 25%.
❓ Why add the alcohol after cooling?
Adding alcohol to a hot mixture can cook off the alcohol, making it weaker. Let it cool first.
❓ How much does this make?
About 4 quarts — that's roughly 1 gallon of moonshine.
❓ Can I use fresh apples?
You can, but it's more work. The cider and juice give you the same flavor with less effort.
❓ Why did my moonshine taste weak?
You may have added the alcohol while the mixture was still hot, or used too little alcohol. Let it cool and use the full amount.
❓ What's the best way to serve it?
Chilled, over ice, or warmed up with a cinnamon stick. It's delicious any way you serve it.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ APPLE PIE MOONSHINE ║
║ On the Shelves & Ready to Sip! ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: ~4 quarts | TIME: ~30 minutes | STORE: 1 year
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INGREDIENTS
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- 1 gallon apple cider
- 1 gallon apple juice
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp whole cloves (or 1 tsp ground)
- 1 tbsp whole allspice (or 1 tsp ground)
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups 190-proof grain alcohol (or 4 cups vodka)
EQUIPMENT:
- Large stockpot (at least 2 gallons)
- Glass bottles or jars
- Funnel
- Cheesecloth
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. In large stockpot, combine apple cider, apple juice,
granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add cinnamon sticks,
cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Stir.
2. Bring to gentle boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20-30
minutes. Stir occasionally. Do not boil hard.
3. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
4. Strain through cheesecloth to remove whole spices.
5. Once cool, stir in vanilla extract and grain alcohol
(or vodka). Stir to combine. Taste and adjust.
6. Use funnel to pour into glass bottles. Label with
date and alcohol content.
7. Store in cool, dark place up to 1 year.
Let mellow 2-4 weeks before drinking.
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HOW TO SERVE
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✓ Sipped straight, chilled
✓ Over ice
✓ Hot toddy with cinnamon stick
✓ Spritzer with club soda
✓ Apple cider cocktail
✓ Fall party favorite
✓ Beautiful gift
✓ Over vanilla ice cream
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"Smooth, sweet, and dangerously easy to drink." 🥧🥃
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© CanningRebels — Apple Pie Moonshine
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