Cranberry moonshine is the easiest, boldest way to enjoy cranberry flavor in a festive, spiced spirit. With just cranberries, high‑proof alcohol, and simple sweeteners or spices, you get a homemade sipper that’s tart, colorful, and totally gift‑worthy. No distillation needed, just infusing.
I am a fan of homemade treats for giving to family and friends, along with the cranberry moonshine, I love to give my Apple Pie Boilo and my Pumpkin Moonshine.
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Why this Cranberry Moonshine Recipe is a Keeper
Cranberries scream fall and winter. Their tart brightness pairs beautifully with warming spirits, making your moonshine feel like a sip of the season. Here’s why this Christmas flavored cocktail stands out:
- Ease of Preparation: The recipe is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients, making it accessible for all skill levels.
- Versatility: Use moonshine as a base for various cocktails, such as a holiday punch with ginger ale or a tropical drink with pineapple and lime juice.
- Great for Gifting: My homemade moonshine recipes makes an excellent homemade gift, especially during the holiday season.
- Flavor Profile: The recipe has the ability to beautifully balance the tartness of cranberries with a touch of sweetness.
What is Everclear?
Everclear is a brand of grain alcohol, which is famous for it’s extremely high alcohol content. It is known for its exceptional strength and purity.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Made this for my annual holiday moonshine (24 quarts) and it is FABULOUS!!!!!.”
~ Cori
Ingredient Notes for Cranberry Spice Moonshine
There are a few ingredients that matter most in this Everclear recipe:
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- High‑Proof Grain Alcohol: Choose 151 to 190 proof to maximize cranberry extraction. I like to use Everclear or vodka.
- Fresh Cranberries: I prefer fresh since they bring tight, tart flavor and natural color.
- Sweetener: Granulated sugar, honey, or cranberry syrup can sweeten; syrup speeds dissolving.
- Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, whole nutmeg seeds, cardamom, star anise, or orange peel bring warmth and depth.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Cranberry Moonshine
This drink is so versatile. You can add or remove any spices you like. Make Everclear moonshine recipes suit your taste:
- Spices: You can experiment with different spices to change the flavor profile. Try adding vanilla bean or a few peppercorns.
- Alcohol: Vodka is a suitable substitute for Everclear.
- Infuse Longer for Mildness: Shorter steeping yields a bright but potent drink; longer softens the bite.
- Sugar-Free Version: Omit sweetener, or use stevia or erythritol sparingly to taste.
How to Make Cranberry Moonshine Cocktail
This homemade cranberry moonshine recipe comes together in 4 easy steps. It’s perfect for sipping, so I like to make sharable holiday cocktail for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Cranberry Base: In a large pot, add the straight cranberry juice, apple cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, nutmeg and cloves. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer.
- Strain the Solid Bits: When cranberries have popped, remove from heat and pour mixture through a mesh strainer into another pot. Reserve about 20 of the popped cranberries, discard the cranberries and the cinnamon sticks.
- Let Chill and Add Alcohol: After you let it cool to room temperature, add alcohol. Since it’s highly flammable, it’s important to let it cool before adding alcohol.
- Pour and Let Sit: Add a couple cranberries and a cinnamon stick to each mason jar. Pour in the moonshine until 1/2 inch from the top. Place the lids on the jars and let it sit for about a month before enjoying.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Drink
This recipe is loved for its ease-of-start and long infusion:
- Make Ahead: Make recipe ahead of time, store the moonshine for a few weeks to allow the flavors to develop.
- Sweeten After Tasting: Taste the batch at intervals between steeping and adjust sugar or juice as needed.
- Bottle & Label Early: Pour into bottles and add a festive tag or date label for gifts immediately after straining.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Cranberry Moonshine Cocktail
You can make this recipe for parties in the slow cooker and people can help themselves. It is perfect for your next holiday party.
- Instant Pot Quick Infusion: Use the sauté or simmer mode for 15–20 minutes and strain—cutting steep time significantly.
- Cranberry Shrub Mixer: Make a small shrub using vinegar + sugar with cranberries, then stir into moonshine for complex acidity and flavor.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
One of the best parts about this recipe, you can make a large batch and have it on hand for special occasions or parties. Keeps and serves beautifully:
- Storage: The moonshine should be stored in sealed mason jars in a cool, dark place for a few weeks to a few months.
- Reheating: You can use the best moonshine in warm drinks and festive cocktails.
- Use Leftovers: Leftovers can be used in various old fashioned cocktails, such as a holiday punch with ginger ale or Sprite, or a cocktail mixed with pineapple or orange juice. Garnish with chopped cranberries or cinnamon.
Common Questions About Cranberry Moonshine Recipe
You’re not canning the airtight jars at all. Just make sure the lids are secure
Letting it sit for a month is recommended to let the concoction meld together for the most flavorful and colorful homemade moonshine.
Yes! You can use frozen berries in this easy moonshine recipe if they’re all you have.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Making Moonshine
- Strain the Mixture: Always strain the mixture to ensure the moonshine is smooth and clear.
- Don’t Tighten Lids Too Much: Avoid over-tightening the lids on the mason jars.
- Mixers: The moonshine pairs well with ginger ale, Sprite, or various fruit juices.
- Enjoy Responsibly: The moonshine is potent, consume in moderation. Flavored moonshine recipe is perfect for fall get togethers.
- Sediment: Strain any sediment from the cinnamon stick with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- For Parties: The moonshine can be mixed with your favorite mixers and ice in a large pitcher for a party.
- Large Pot: Use a very large stockpot.
- Serve With: Serve this recipe with Cream Cheese and Crab Dip, M&M Pretzel Pumpkins and Cranberry Cheesecake Crescent Rolls.
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Cranberry Moonshine
Equipment
- 2 Large Pots
- Sieve/Strainer
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Ingredients
- 64 ounces Cranberry juice, 1 bottle
- 64 ounces Apple cider, 1 bottle
- 1 pound Fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 6 – 7 sticks Cinnamon
- 2 Whole nutmeg seeds, smashed
- 1 teaspoon Whole cloves
- 25 ounces Grain alcohol, 1, 750 milliliter bottle, 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 ½ inch head.
- Place lids on jars and allow to sit in a cool, dry place for 1 month before enjoying.
- Please enjoy responsibly.
Christina’s Notes
- Use High‑Proof Alcohol: Extracts more flavor and color from cranberries.
- Steep, Taste, Adjust: Sample periodically to customize strength and sweetness.
- Choose Glass Containers: Keeps flavor clean and visually appealing for bottling.
- Label Bottles Clearly: Include flavor, proof, and date for safety and gifting prep.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Has anyone tried to cut down the sugar among, so it is less sweet?
Yes, l double the recipe and instead of 2 cups of brown sugar I use one and a half cups of brown sugar. I also cut the butter by one quarter cup instead of two sticks. I use one and a half sticks. They come out perfect with these modifications.
I made this and put it in the fridge overnight as I didn’t jar it right away. It turned into a jelly like liquid – not totally jello like but very very thick.
How can I correct this?
Maybe make another batch and mix it??
I did this too, and don’t know what to do.
This has never happened to me. The only thing that I can think of is that it was overcooked or not strained.
Can I us use freeze dried cranberries
It will not have the same flavor. You could but fresh is better.
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!
What is it like if it only sits 10days?
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