This Apple Pie Moonshine recipe is crazy good – it’s one of my most popular recipes and everyone always asks me for the recipe! It goes down very easy and smooth but really packs a punch. It’s a very easy recipe to make and doesn’t have any complicated steps.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
The Apple Pie Moonshine recipe is an incredibly delicious cocktail. Every time I make it, it’s always the hit of the party and my friends and family go crazy for it because it tastes just like apple pie.
Plus, you won’t believe how easy it is to make! Just make sure that you give yourself enough time. This is a great homemade version of Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine but with more flavor.
This recipe is completely legal to make. It’s not real moonshine, per se. Essentially, it’s flavored 190 proof grain alcohol that tastes like grandma’s apple pie. It’s incredibly delicious and everyone will rave about it.
If you want even more fun drinks, check out my other moonshine recipes, including my favorite Peach Moonshine recipe, Pumpkin Pie Moonshine and Pineapple Moonshine. If you want to learn about all the different homemade moonshine inspired recipes, check here.
What I Love About This Recipe
This is truly the best homemade Apple Pie Moonshine recipe you will ever try. It is full of apple pie flavor. Remember to let it sit and mellow, though as high-proof grain alcohol (190 proof) is used.
If you try this moonshine too soon, it’s like drinking rocket fuel. Or, at least I’m assuming that’s what rocket fuel would taste like. I’ve never really tried it.
- 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 Great Gifts: This recipe makes a big batch so it makes a wonderful Christmas or party gift.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Ingredient Notes
It’s easy to make moonshine. There are only a few simple ingredients and some basic steps.
- Apple Juice – Any variety that you have on hand or enjoy drinking.
- Apple Cider– A fall staple but now you can find year round in most gourmet sections of supermarkets.
- Cinnamon Sticks- Provides a warmth to this apple pie moonshine drink.
- 750 ml 190 proof Everclear grain alcohol or the highest proof vodka you can find: Any grain alcohol will work but Everclear is best. There are two versions, 151 and 190 proof. 190 proof is preferred but use the highest proof you can find at your local liquor store.
Equipment Needed for Moonshine Apple Pie Recipe
How to Make this Apple Pie Moonshine Drink
These are the basic steps for making Apple Pie Moonshine. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Cook
First, in a large pot, bring the apple cider and apple juice, sugar, nutmeg, ground cinnamon (the traditional apple pie spice mixture) and 8 cinnamon sticks to a boil, stir and then cover and simmer for 1 hour.
STEP 2: Alcohol
Next, allow the mixture to cool then stir in the grain alcohol. Do not add the alcohol until the mixture cools. If the liquid is too warm, the alcohol will dissipate.
**CAUTION: Do not add alcohol near a flame or heat source. It is highly flammable. Make sure mixture is completely cooled before adding alcohol.
STEP 3: Strain and bottle
Strain the cinnamon sticks out and pour into jars. Divide remaining 6 cinnamon sticks among mason jars. Finally, place lids on jars and allow to sit to blend and mellow in a dry place for 8 weeks before enjoying.
Prep and Storage Tips for this Apple Cider Moonshine Cocktail
Here are a few tips and helpful suggestions see all the information in the Flavored Moonshine Ultimate Guide.
DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT THE 8 WEEKS?
The reason that the recipe recommends the eight weeks is to allow it to mellow, 191 proof Everclear is very strong.
The longer it sits, the better it gets. If you are using a strong vodka or Everclear 151 then you do not have to wait the 8 weeks to enjoy.
HOW TO STORE THIS BEVERAGE RECIPE
Refrigeration is not necessary. Just a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. Even after opening, refrigeration is not necessary due to the high alcohol content.
However, you can use the refrigerator if you want to serve it cold.
HOW TO MAKE MY OWN MOONSHINE
If your goal is to make your own moonshine from a still and not this easy apple pie drink recipe, then here is a great website that will give you access to stills and all the equipment that you will need to purchase.
WHAT TO MAKE WITH YOUR APPLE PIE MOONSHINE
Now you have this amazing homemade moonshine, what do you do with it? This apple pie moonshine drink can be enjoyed hot or cold. Mix it with soda or juices, liquor such as vanilla vodka, whiskey or rum or make some fabulous cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flavored Moonshine
You can make Apple Pie Moonshine with the white sugar listed below in the recipe card, brown sugar or a combination of the two. Certainly you can use less sugar or a sugar substitute if you prefer.
Of course, you can add apple slices to the recipe, some even add whipped cream vodka, fireball or other vanilla bean.
Indeed, this recipe can be adjusted as you need it for your get together. Make the number of batches that you need.
This can happen from the spices, or sometimes sediment in your sider. You can strain it through cheesecloth or shake it before serving to guests.
No, there is no need to can this recipe. Just make sure that your jars and lids are completely clean. Make sure that the lids are applied tightly.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Add Less Cinnamon: Not a fan of cinnamon, there is no need to add the cinnamon sticks to the moonshine recipe.
- Apple Cider: Feel free to make your own if you have a good recipe.
- Alcohol Content: It is difficult to calculate as it depends on the brands that you utilize. However, for general purposes it is about 30 proof with an ABV of around 15 percent (estimated).
- Jars: You can use any size canning jars or other jar with a tight fitting lid.
- No Canning Needed: You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed. Because the alcohol content is so high, there is no need to go through the canning process
- Time: The eight weeks is a guide, as the alcohol content is very high. If you like strong spirits with a kick or use a less strong proof then you can drink before the 8 weeks. Please drink responsibly.
What to Serve with Moonshine
Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 64 oz apple juice
- 64 oz apple cider
- 3 cups sugar
- 14 cinnamon sticks, divided
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 750 ml 190 proof Everclear grain alcohol, or the highest proof vodka you can find
Instructions
- Bring the apple juice, cider, sugar, nutmeg, ground cinnamon and 8 cinnamon sticks to a boil.
- Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Add alcohol to mixture. **CAUTION: Do not add alcohol near a flame or heat source. It is highly flammable. Make sure mixture is completely cooled before adding alcohol.
- Strain the cinnamon sticks out and pour into jars.
- Divide remaining 6 cinnamon sticks among jars.
- Place lids on jars and allow to sit in a cool, dry place for 8 weeks before enjoying.
- Please enjoy responsibly.
Expert Tips
- Add Less Cinnamon: Not a fan of cinnamon, there is no need to add the cinnamon sticks to the moonshine recipe.
- Apple Cider: Feel free to make your own if you have a good recipe.
- Alcohol Content: It is difficult to calculate as it depends on the brands that you utilize. However, for general purposes it is about 30 proof with an ABV of around 15 percent. (This is just an estimate only, please do not come at me in the comments)
- Jars: Any size canning jars
that you have to store this Apple Pie Moonshine Everclear. You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed. - Time: The eight weeks is a guide, as the alcohol content is very high. If you like strong spirits or use a less strong proof then you can drink before the 8 weeks. Please drink responsibly.
that you have to store this Apple Pie Moonshine Everclear. You aren’t going to do the entire canning process. Just fill the jars and make sure they are tightly sealed.
Hi Christina,
I am getting ready to make a batch of The Apple Pie Moonshine this week probably around the 10th or 11th of this month (December 2019) and I have 2 questions, first will it be good to drink for new years eve and 2nd would it make a difference if I used spiced apple cider or does it have to be regular apple cider? I can’t wait to give these as gifts, Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes with us. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
I would let it sit a little bit longer. That’s only about 3-4 weeks. It really needs a good 8 weeks or so to mellow. If you want to drink it sooner, I would use a lower proof alcohol. Q2: Spiced apple cider would just give it more flavor. It’s entirely up to you. Enjoy!
I don’t know if my first one went through or not so I’m sorry if this came through twice but would like to know the shelf life?
I’ve had it last up to 6 months. Mine usually gets consumed before that.
Mine has lasted a year or more it just gets better the longer it sits
Just made my first batch it was awesome going to make more for gifts and the holidays thank you so much whats the longest shelf life
I have a question. If I am going to half this recipe should ( half gallon of cider and half gallon of apple juice) do I add half of the 750ml bottle of 190 proof everclear or the whole bottle?? This recipe states to add half a gallon of cider and half gallon of apple juice and a whole bottle of everclear. Just wanted to clarify. Thanks!
If you are going to make half of this recipe, you would need to cut each ingredient in half, including the grain alcohol. Enjoy 🙂
Made up the recipe 2 weeks ago and I can’t wait to try it. It only produced 5 quarts , I guess the simmering was done at too high of a temperature. First sampling will be at the end of the month. I am thinking that it might be a bit sweeter and the ABV will be higher!! Oh well
That’s about right on the quarts if you want more just double recipe I do half batch so I can give out 1/2 pints as gifts
Can only get 151 here. Does it still tastebwell if sets a month?
Also does it hurt it if stored in a garage refrigerator forbthat time?
It should taste ok since the alcohol level is lower. it doesn’t need to be stored in a fridge. But if you want to, that’s fine.
i see in your video you used 1 gal of cider but recipe calls for 64 oz…..which is right ? or are my eyes playing tricks on me ? Thanks
1 gallon. I’ll fix that.
How long will the recipe last when using 80 proof Vodka instead of everclear? I only but the lids on , I didnt use heat to seal. Thanks
It won’t need to rest as long because the alcohol content is lower. You don’t need to seal the lids.
So you don’t need to actually can it for it to last a bit? I was thinking of possibly making these now for Christmas gifts! I’m just really nervous it will go bad before hand.
Yes! It will be perfect for Christmas as it needs to sit a while and mellow.
Made this last year for Christmas gifts and it was a hit! Mine was a little cloudy but I didn’t strain through a cheesecloth. Nobody seemed to care and I just finished a bottle off from a couple of extras left behind and it was fantastic…it was refrigerated, though. Making it again this year but I’m going to double the batch so I can give bigger jars this year.
Can you put apples in this moonshine like you do with the peach moonshine?????
Sure!
Can you add pieces of apple?
Absolutely!
I made this recipe and followed it to a T but when we put it in the freezer to get good and cold it froze overnight. What did I do wrong?
If you used the 190 proof grain alcohol it definitely should not have frozen. Since alcohol doesn’t freeze, I’m wondering if maybe your proportions were off.
Or the batch was too hot and you evaporated all the alcohol
I made some last Christmas for gifts, a jar was left under my spare bed and forgotten. Found in March and sampled. Went bad….. Very bitter. Was a sealed jar. Any guesses as to why?
I’m not sure. I’ve never had a batch go bad – especially after only a few months. I keep mine in a cabinet in my laundry room for months and months without a problem . What proof alcohol did you use?
Thanks for sharing your recipe! Do you happen to know the alcohol content in the final product? I’m interested in making a batch, and possibly giving some as gifts, and I would like to include estimated proof or abv on a tag, just to help ensure safe consumption. Thanks!
I don’t know the final alcohol content. Unfortunately, I don’t have any way to measure that.
This recipe will provide an a.b.v. of about 14.6% or 29.2 proof.
Hello! I’ve made this a few times with 151 proof everclear and loved it but this year I was able to get 190 proof. I am serving at a party in 10 days, should i add less everclear since I don’t have a month to let it sit? Have you ever drank it in less than a month? With the 151 proof, it was delicious after just sitting two days. Thanks!!!
If using it quickly, use a lesser proof alcohol. The higher the proof, the longer it needs to sit to mellow out.
I’m using fresh apple cider from the farmers market- does that mess with the self life of the moonshine? Or is it ok to drink 2 months from now?
It does not mess with it at all. That’s what I usually use and it’s perfect every time.
I just made a batch for Christmas gifts this year. I was telling my husband, while all the ladies around here are canning fruits and vegetables, I’m making Apple Pie Moonshine!! Looking forward to the finished product…..
Let me know how you like it! I always give it as gifts for the holidays!
my first few batches came out nice & dark & clear, like your picture. my last 2 batches came out light and cloudy & I have no idea why? perhaps I didn’t get the cider & juice hot enough? using the same ingredients as previously. any ideas? thanks!!
If you’re using a high alcohol content of grain alcohol, such as Everclear 190 proof, it may be your ratio of alcohol to apple mixture. Try adding more cider or apple juice. Too much may have evaporated during the cooking process.
I had that problem when I couldn’t find the clear cider that Winndixie has I used Publix that was already spiced didn’t like it at all I don’t like my cider murky so I don’t add the other spices because I think the cider adds that also I use unsweetened apple juice and I only do 4 tablespoons of brown sugar instead of white sugar you learn as you go and tweek as you go too to what you like I don’t like it to sweet and most peeps I sell it to don’t either I like it to be more like a sipper that can be heated up I don’t add sticks to the ones I give out either because the feedback I’ve gotten is that it’s to much cinnamon 😉 hope this helps anyone
These recipes look wonderful and I’m gonna for sure try them. I’m wondering if you have tried making strawberry moon shine or another berry flavor. I’d love trying those as well. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you like them!