This Cranberry Moonshine is one of my favorite cocktails!
I have been making flavored moonshine for quite a while now. Apple and Peach are my favorites and Pumpkin Pie is very good too.
I thought Cranberry Moonshine would help keep me warm during the long, cold winter months.
And, I couldn’t have been more right! This homemade moonshine warms you up from the inside out. And, just like the other flavors I make, this Cranberry Moonshine was very popular when I served it to my family and friends this holiday. Everyone was asking for the recipe.
This recipe is very easy to make. 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.
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.
Looking for More Flavored Moonshine Recipes?
Looking for more? Check out all of the Homemade Moonshine Recipes on It Is a Keeper.
Items You Need to Make Everclear Moonshine Recipes
- Stock pot
- Canning jars
- Funnel
- Cheese cloth
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Cranberry Moonshine
Ingredients
- 1 oz bottle cranberry juice - 64
- 1 oz bottle apple cider - 64
- 1 pound fresh cranberries - rinsed
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 - 7 cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole nutmeg seeds - smashed
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 ml bottle grain alcohol - 750, 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.
Nutrition
- Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust!
- When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
- I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat. This one is my favorite.
- When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
- The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate. Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.
Hillary says
Are you suggesting 1 64 oz bottle of cranberry juice and apple cider each?
Christina Hitchcock says
Yes, 64 oz of each.
Adriana says
What happens if you add the alcohol before completely cooling the cranberry portion?
Christina Hitchcock says
it can evaporate out.
Cori Goulson says
Made this for my annual holiday moonshine (24 quarts) and it is FABULOUS!!!!!
Christina Hitchcock says
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Perfect for the holidays!
Annette says
Can frozen cranberries be used instead of fresh.
Christina Hitchcock says
Sure
Tabatha says
If doubling the recipe do you double the spices?
Christina Hitchcock says
Yes
phil adams says
should the moonshine be refrigerated after i month of sitting?
Christina Hitchcock says
It doesn’t need to be
Patricia Gibson says
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!
Jack says
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.
Christina Hitchcock says
That is correct! 750 ml.
Allan says
What size canning jars did you use?
Christina Hitchcock says
What ever size you have. It doesn’t matter.
Darcy says
Can someone tell me if this is cranberry juice cocktail or unsweetened cranberry juice
Christina Hitchcock says
I use cranberry juice cocktail.
Dianne says
I am having a problem finding whole nutmeg seeds. Can I use nutmeg spice instead? And how much should I use?
Christina Hitchcock says
I would use 1/4 teaspoon – it’s a very strong flavor.
Karen says
Made it, tasted it, I love It! I will be making this again, thanks for the great recipe!
Karen says
Making this cranberry moonshine soon, looks like a great recipe!
Jane Tesla says
how can I make blueberry moonshine
Christina Hitchcock says
I’m still trying to figure that one out 🙂
Karen says
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