Easy Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe With Everclear

If you’re looking for a drink that’s cozy, sweet, and perfect for sharing at parties, apple pie moonshine might be your new favorite! It’s a blend of strong alcohol and cozy flavors like cinnamon, apple, and sugar, creating a drink that tastes just like a slice of warm apple pie. This flavorful drink combines apple pie’s taste with a strong cocktail’s warmth. Plus, the longer it sits, the better it tastes — so it’s perfect for making in large batches. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through an easy apple pie moonshine recipe, from gathering the ingredients to adding creative personal touches.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make a large batch of apple pie moonshine that you can enjoy over time, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1-gallon apple juice

Apple juice forms the base of the drink and adds natural sweetness.

• 1-gallon apple cider

The cider complements the juice, giving the drink a more robust apple flavor.

• 2 cups white sugar

White sugar adds a clean sweetness that blends well with the apple flavors.

• 2 cups brown sugar

Brown sugar provides a deeper, richer sweetness, giving the moonshine a caramel-like taste.

• 4 cinnamon sticks (or more if you love cinnamon)

These sticks provide that warm, spicy kick that makes apple pie so delicious.

• 1 pinch of apple pie spice

A mix of spices (usually cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice) that really enhances the apple pie flavor.

• 1 bottle (750ml) of 190-proof grain alcohol

Everclear is a popular choice due to its high proof, but if you can’t find it, you can substitute a strong vodka.

• 1 bottle (750ml) of vodka

The vodka adds more alcohol to the mix and helps balance the strong flavors of the moonshine.

Detailed Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe

Now that you’ve gathered all your ingredients, here’s a step-by-step guide to making apple pie moonshine:

1. Gather and Mix the Ingredients

In a large pot, combine the apple juice, apple cider, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and apple pie spice. This combination creates the rich, apple pie flavor that makes this drink so special. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that the sugars dissolve completely.

2. Heat the Mixture

Once your ingredients are combined, bring the mixture to a near boil over medium heat. Don’t let it reach a full boil, as this could cause some of the liquid to evaporate. After it’s almost boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer gently for about an hour. This helps the flavors blend and become more intense.

3. Cool It Down Completely

After simmering for an hour, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool down completely. This step is crucial because if you add alcohol to a hot mixture, the heat can cause the alcohol to evaporate. If you want to be exact, make sure the temperature is 150°F (65°C) or lower before adding the alcohol.

4. Add the Alcohol

Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, stir in the grain alcohol and vodka. At this point, remove the cinnamon sticks from the pot. If you like a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can leave one or two cinnamon sticks in the mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.

5. Bottle and Store

After adding the alcohol, pour the apple pie moonshine into sterilized mason jars or bottles. If you’re feeling creative, you can add a cinnamon stick to each jar for extra flavor and a decorative touch. Make sure to seal the jars tightly and store them in the refrigerator for at least 2–3 weeks before drinking. The longer the moonshine sits, the better the flavors will develop.

Time and Serving Size for Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour (plus time to cool down completely)
• Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (including cooling)
• Resting Time: 2–3 weeks (for best flavor development)

Serving Size

This recipe makes approximately 16 cups of apple pie moonshine, which can be bottled in 8 pint-sized (16 oz) mason jars. Each pint jar can serve about 4–6 people, depending on how strong or light you prefer your servings.

Overall, this recipe should yield 32–48 servings, depending on portion size.

Tips for First-Time Moonshine Makers

If you’ve never made apple pie moonshine before, don’t worry — it’s an easy process that’s hard to mess up. That said, here are a few helpful tips to ensure that your first batch turns out perfectly:

• Be Patient: While it’s tempting to drink your apple pie moonshine right away, it’s best to let it sit for at least two weeks before serving. As the moonshine rests, the flavors continue to blend and deepen, making for a smoother and more enjoyable drink. Some people even prefer to wait a full month before opening a jar!
• Choosing the Right Alcohol: Everclear is often recommended for this recipe because it’s extremely strong (190-proof). If you can’t find Everclear, look for the highest-proof vodka or grain alcohol you can get. Using high-proof alcohol ensures that the moonshine stays potent even after mixing it with the apple cider and juice. If you use a lower-proof alcohol, the drink will be less strong, but you can adjust the alcohol content to your preference by adding a bit more vodka.
• 3. Storing Your Moonshine: Glass jars or bottles are the best option for storing moonshine. Not only do they look great, but they also help preserve the flavor over time. Mason jars are a classic choice, and they make the moonshine feel more traditional and rustic. Just make sure that whatever container you use, it seals tightly to keep the drink fresh.
• 4. Experiment with Spices: Cinnamon is the traditional spice used in apple pie moonshine, but you don’t have to stop there! Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or even cloves to give the drink a more complex flavor. You can also adjust the amount of spice to suit your taste — if you like your moonshine on the spicier side, feel free to add extra cinnamon sticks or apple pie spice.
• 5. Don’t Forget to Shake Before Serving: Since the spices can settle at the bottom of the jar, it’s a good idea to shake your moonshine well before serving it. This ensures that every sip has the perfect balance of apple, spice, and alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does apple pie moonshine last?

A. If stored properly in sealed glass jars in the refrigerator, apple pie moonshine can last for up to a year. In fact, the longer it sits, the better it gets as the flavors continue to develop over time.

2. Can I make moonshine without a stovetop?

A. Yes! You can use a slow cooker to make apple pie moonshine if you prefer a hands-off approach. Simply add all the ingredients except the alcohol to the slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours. Once the mixture has cooled completely, stir in the alcohol and bottle it up.

3. What can I use instead of Everclear?

A. If you can’t find 190-proof Everclear, you can use 151-proof Everclear or a high-proof vodka instead. Just keep in mind that the strength of the moonshine will vary depending on the proof of the alcohol you use.

4. Why is it important to let the mixture cool before adding alcohol?

A. Adding alcohol to a hot mixture can cause it to evaporate, which weakens the strength of your moonshine. To keep all the alcohol in the drink, make sure the apple cider and juice mixture is completely cool before stirring in the alcohol.

5. Do I need to refrigerate apple pie moonshine?

A. Yes, it’s best to store apple pie moonshine in the refrigerator, especially if you plan to keep it for an extended period of time. The cold helps preserve the flavors and keeps the moonshine fresh.

Also Read: Mini/Individual apple pies recipe.