Cranberry Moonshine is a tart, refreshing cocktail that can be drank by itself or used as a mixer for so many different cocktails. It is fun to make and a great gift to give.
This crafting of cranberry moonshine recipe is very easy. Just be sure to factor in that you need to let it sit for a few weeks before you drink it. It needs time to mellow out and become one with the cranberries. Patience, friends. It’s worth the wait. I promise. You will start a new tradition by serving this drink with it’s iconic holiday flavors during the height of cranberry season.
A word of warning…use caution when drinking this cocktail. It is extremely potent. It’s best to start with a small glass and sip it slowly. It can hit you pretty hard.
For more details on making flavored moonshine, check out our Flavored Moonshine Ultimate Guide.
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What We Love About This Flavored Moonshine Recipe
Before you come at me, this is not the traditional moonshine made from a still. This recipe is a much simpler and easier cocktail moonshine. If you’ve ever wondered how to make moonshine,check out how to make moonshine here – the old fashioned way, using a still.
- Quick Prep It takes only a few minutes to prepare and about an hour to cook.
- Rest: Will take 8 weeks to mellow and blend.
- Adaptable: Can make it so many different versions.
- Makes A Great Handmade Gift: Mason Jars of Moonshine make a wonderful Christmas gift for the holiday season, Wedding Favor or party gift if they enjoy an adult beverage.
Ingredient Notes for Cranberry Spice Moonshine
- 64 ounce bottle Cranberry Juice : Cranberry Juice Cocktail is what I use, regular cranberry juice can also be used, whatever you prefer.
- 64oz bottle Apple Cider: Apple juice can be used if you can not find cider but the cider really adds somethings so try and get this if you can.
- Fresh Cranberries: 1 lb rinsed, you can use frozen if you can not find fresh. There is no need to chop cranberries.
- Sugar: I use two cup sugar but you can adjust to your taste.
- Cinnamon Sticks: This adds a really great spicy undertone for flavoring moonshine,
- Whole Nutmeg Seeds: smashed. Replace with ground nutmeg if needed.
- Whole Cloves: 1 teaspoon. Spices truly enhance this festive drink.
- 750 ml bottle Grain Alcohol: I used 190 proof Everclear grain alcohol.
Equipment Needed to Make Cranberry Flavor Moonshine
- Stock pot: Any good size pot will do.
- Canning jars: Large Mason jar are handy and great for gift giving however you can use any bottles for moonshine as long as they have a tigle seal.
- Funnel
- Cheese cloth: This is for straining the moonshine. If you do not mind some bits, a fine-wire mesh strainer can be used.
How to Make Flavored Moonshine
These are the basic steps for making the flavors of moonshine. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.
STEP 1: COOK THE CRANBERRIES
First, in a large pot, bring juice, cranberries, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks and cloves to a boil until the sugar dissolves, stir simple syrup and then reduce heat and simmer until all of the berries have popped. Next, remove the cranberry syrup mixture from stove and pour mixture through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into another large pot. Reserve 20 or so of the burst cranberries and the cinnamon sticks..
STEP 2: COOL
Allow to cool to room temperature then combine cranberry juice mixture with the bottle everclear grain alcohol.**CAUTION: Do not add alcohol near a flame or heat source. It is highly flammable. Add 2-3 burst cranberries and a cinnamon stick to each clean jar or sealable container.
STEP 3: BOTTLE
Finally, ladle moonshine into clean mason jars, leaving a 1/2 inch head.Place lids on jars and allow to sit in a cool, dry place for 1 month before enjoying. If you want for December for Christmas, make in October or early November.
Prep and Storage Tips for Popular Moonshine
There are always so many questions about this flavoured moonshine. Before leaving a question below, please check out the guide. Here you will find a few tips and helpful suggestions for making Flavored Moonshine Ultimate Guide.
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
I usually make several batches at one time. But it really must be made in advance. The hardest part is finding the grain alcohol. I use an entire bottle of 190 proof Everclear for each batch.190 proof grain alcohol can be hard to find. Some states don’t sell it. If you can’t find it, you can easily use a lower proof (151 proof grain alcohol is much easier to find) vodka or moonshine purchased from a liquor store.
This stuff is VERY potent, but oh, so good! Remember to let it sit and mellow, though. If you try this moonshine too soon, it’s like drinking rocket fuel. Plus the cranberry infusion will really have the chance to blend together.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
The DIY moonshine can sit out in a cool dry place. There is no need to refrigerate.
WHAT CAN I MAKE WITH THESE FLAVORED MOONSHINES?
The possibilities are truly endless, however I have a guide that will teach you even more flavored moonshines and offer you some great cocktail suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Really you can use anything that you wish. However, if you use a different alcohol such as cranberry vodka or tequila or triple sec, you will not have to wait before serving.
Of course, frozen cranberries can be substituted for fresh cranberries in this flavored moonshine recipe.,
Indeed, I usually make at least a double batch so that I have some for parties or hostess gifts.
No, there is no need to can this recipe. Just make sure that your jars and lids are completely clean. Of course you must make sure that the lids are applied tightly.
The bottle of moonshine can be made with a festive twist by putting into a glass moonshine jug or growler bottle or festive large glass jar or half-pint jars if you like.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Use a very large stock pot
to make this Moonshine cocktail recipe. Sometimes I even divide the ingredients between my two largest stock pots. - You can use any size canning jars that you have to store this cranberry moonshine. You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed.
- When you make Everclear Moonshine recipes, make sure you store the jars in a cool, dark place to mellow out for a few weeks before enjoying them.
- There may be some sediment from the cinnamon stick in the jar – simple strain it through cheesecloth.
- Mixers: A great wine, a squeeze of lime with some ice combine with ginger ale or sprite make a perfect sweet punch with incredible flavor for a holiday party. Pineapple or orange juice mixed with a few oz cranberry moonshine in a large pitcher with some lime juice and some fresh raspberries or cherry make a sharable holiday cocktail.
- Make sure you enjoy this cocktail responsibly.
- Instant Pot: Make Instant Pot Cranberry Moonshine by using the pot on saute instead of using a stock pot. Follow the same directions as in the recipe card.
to make this Moonshine cocktail recipe. Sometimes I even divide the ingredients between my two largest stock pots.
that you have to store this cranberry moonshine. You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed.
.What to Serve with Cranberry Moonshine
Did you try this recipe?
⭐ Click below to leave a review and rating! ⭐
Cranberry Moonshine
Ingredients
- 64 oz bottle cranberry juice, 1 bottle
- 64 oz bottle apple cider, 1 bottle
- 1 pound fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 – 7 cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole nutmeg seeds, smashed
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 750 ml bottle grain alcohol, 1 bottle, I used 190 proof Everclear
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring juice, cranberries, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks and cloves to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until all of the cranberries have popped.
- Remove from stove and pour mixture through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into another large pot.
- Reserve 20 or so of the burst cranberries and the cinnamon sticks.
- Allow mixture to cool to room temperature then add the grain alcohol.
- **CAUTION: Do not add alcohol near a flame or heat source. It is highly flammable. Make sure mixture is completely cooled before adding alcohol.
- Add 2-3 burst cranberries and a cinnamon stick to each mason jar.
- Ladle moonshine into clean mason jars, leaving a 1/2 inch head.
- Place lids on jars and allow to sit in a cool, dry place for 1 month before enjoying.
- Please enjoy responsibly.
Expert Tips
- Use a very large stock pot to make this Moonshine cocktail recipe. Sometimes I even divide the ingredients between my two largest stock pots.
- You can use any size canning jars that you have to store this cranberry moonshine. You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed.
- When you make Everclear Moonshine recipes, make sure you store the jars in a cool, dark place to mellow out for a few weeks before enjoying them.
- There may be some sediment from the cinnamon stick in the jar – simple strain it through cheesecloth.
- Mixers: A great wine, a squeeze of lime with some ice combine with ginger ale or sprite make a perfect sweet punch with incredible flavor for a holiday party. Pineapple or orange juice mixed with a few oz cranberry moonshine in a large pitcher with some lime juice and some fresh raspberries or cherry make a sharable holiday cocktail.
- Make sure you enjoy this cocktail responsibly.
- Instant Pot: Make Instant Pot Cranberry Moonshine by using the pot on saute instead of using a stock pot. Follow the same directions as in the recipe card.
that you have to store this cranberry moonshine. You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed.
If we used unpasteurized real apple cider in this recipe, do we need to run this through a cheese clothe to filter it again before serving it?
That would be a personal preference.
Hey Christina-
I have now made your apple pie, pumpkin and cranberry moonshine. Love them all!! Great gifts as well. Any idea about maybe a gingerbread moonshine for the holidays?
That does sound good. I will definitely experiment. Thanks for the suggestion.
Is the boiling to brake down the sugar? What about using Splenda and no sugar cranberry juice cocktail for us diabetics?
Honestly I have never tried it so I could not say if it would work or not, it is worth a try to see if it is something you would enjoy. Good Luck.
Christina, we made 3 batches and ran out of the right sized jars for future distribution and ended up canning in 8 oz and 64 oz jars. Do we need to reheat the liquid before putting in new jars? Or are we better to leave them alone? We made both your cranberry and apple pie moonshine and are so very excited to try them in a few weeks. Thank you!
You do not need to reheat it.
Are you suggesting 1 64 oz bottle of cranberry juice and apple cider each?
Yes, 64 oz of each.
What happens if you add the alcohol before completely cooling the cranberry portion?
it can evaporate out.
Made this for my annual holiday moonshine (24 quarts) and it is FABULOUS!!!!!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Perfect for the holidays!
Can frozen cranberries be used instead of fresh.
Sure
If doubling the recipe do you double the spices?
Yes
should the moonshine be refrigerated after i month of sitting?
It doesn’t need to be
I just made this and I’m
so excited, I don’t know if I can wait a month to try it, Lol! The only thing is I followed the recipe exactly and only got 5 quarts instead of 6 or 7. I’ll keep you posted once the month is up on the taste and how potent it is! I used 151 Everclear!
How much of the grain alcohol are you adding in this recipe? I think your saying to add 750 ml. Is this correct? Thanks in advance.
That is correct! 750 ml.
What size canning jars did you use?
What ever size you have. It doesn’t matter.
Can someone tell me if this is cranberry juice cocktail or unsweetened cranberry juice
I use cranberry juice cocktail.
I am having a problem finding whole nutmeg seeds. Can I use nutmeg spice instead? And how much should I use?
I would use 1/4 teaspoon – it’s a very strong flavor.
Made it, tasted it, I love It! I will be making this again, thanks for the great recipe!
Making this cranberry moonshine soon, looks like a great recipe!
how can I make blueberry moonshine
I’m still trying to figure that one out 🙂
64 oz blueberry juice
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 container fresh blueberries
1 cup BROWN sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
Juice of one lemon
1 1/2 cups Everclear
1/2 cup vanilla vodka