Apple pie moonshine is one of my favorite homemade drinks—it’s sweet, spiced, and has just the right amount of kick. The combination of cinnamon, apples, and brown sugar makes it taste just like a slice of warm apple pie, but with a boozy twist.
I love making this recipe because it’s perfect for sipping, mixing into cocktails, or even bottling up as gifts for friends and family. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make in large batches, and the flavors only get better the longer it sits.
The best part? There’s no distilling required—just a few simple ingredients and a little patience. The result is a smooth, flavorful moonshine that’s always a hit at gatherings.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make my apple pie moonshine, along with tips on ingredients, storage, and serving ideas. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep a batch on hand year-round!
If you love this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my Peach Moonshine Recipe or this easy Apple Boilo (it’s a vintage coal miner recipe).
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Why this Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe is a Keeper
My Apple Pie Moonshine is a keeper because it’s packed with warm, cozy flavors and has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. I love how incredibly easy it is to make in big batches, making it great for gifts or gatherings. Plus, it gets even better with time—so the longer it sits, the richer the flavor!
- Quick Prep: It takes only a few minutes to prepare and about an hour to simmer.
- Rest: This recipe will take 8 weeks to mellow and blend (if you use 190 proof grain alcohol). 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. I’ve found that the longer it sits, the better it gets.
- Adaptable: You can make so many different versions and you can even add different spices to create your own custom flavor.
- Makes Great Gifts: Since this recipe makes a pretty decent amount of moonshine, I prefer to give away some, it makes a wonderful Christmas, hostess gift or party gift.
Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After having this at a halloween party one year I’ve always wanted to try making it myself. This recipe is delicious! ~Dana
How long will the Apple Pie Moonshine last?
Due to the high alcohol content (usually above 40% ABV), unopened moonshine can technically last for an indefinite period on the shelf if stored properly. The alcohol acts as a preservative, preventing bacteria growth that would spoil the drink.
Ingredient Notes for this Everclear Drink Recipe
After much testing, I’ve found that there are a few ingredients you need to know about.
- Apple Cider – A fall staple but now you can find year-round in most gourmet sections of supermarkets. But I got fresh apple cider from my local mill.
- Cinnamon Sticks – I like to use the sticks rather than ground cinnamon. They provide a warmth to this apple pie moonshine drink. I place a cinnamon stick in the jars of moonshine so the cinnamon flavor continues to develop as the moonshine rests.
- Grain Alcohol: This moonshine is made with 750 ml 190 proof Everclear grain alcohol or the highest proof vodka you can find. Any grain alcohol will work but I use Everclear. There are two versions, 151 and 190 proof. 190 proof is preferred. If you use the 151 proof, it will only need to rest for a day or so before enjoying.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Flavored Moonshine
Making this moonshine can be adjusted with different substitutions and variations to make your favorite seasonal drink.
- Sugar Substitute: 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.
- Additions: Add a slice of apple to the recipe, some even add whipped cream vodka, fireball or vanilla bean.
- Red Hots: Drop in some red hot candys to give the moonshine a deliciously sweet kick.
- Concentrate: Add apple juice concentrate to make this recipe for apple moonshine.
- Spices: I made the recipe exactly as written last year, but you can try this apple pie moonshine with a touch more complexity with pumpkin pie spice.
Special Equipment Needed for Homemade Moonshine
- Large Stock Pot: Or any saucepan that is large enough to handle a large amount of liquid.
- Funnel: It helps when transferring to jars once the mixture has cooled.
- Canning/Mason Jars: I like to make in quart jars. They are the perfect size for gift giving.
Reader Interaction Pro Tip
Apple pie moonshine isn’t just for drinking! Some bakers use it to add a unique kick to cakes, cookies, or even glazes. A splash of moonshine can enhance the apple flavor and add a subtle warmth to your fall desserts.
How to Make Apple Pie Moonshine
Drinking apple pie moonshine is like eating a slice of apple pie only better. It truly tastes like apple pie but packs a big punch. It is a strong drink but you can add many things to make it less so.
These are the basic steps for making apple pie moonshine drink. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Add Ingredients to a Pot and Bring to a Boil
Bring the ingredients to a boil, stir and then cover and simmer for 1 hour.
2. Stir in the Alcohol
Next, allow the mixture to cool completely then stir in the grain alcohol. 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.
3. Let it Sit
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 at room temperature for 8 weeks before enjoying.
Recipe FAQs for Real Moonshine
Here are a few tips and helpful suggestions see all the information in the Flavored Moonshine Ultimate Guide. After opening, it should last 3 – 4 months in the back of your refrigerator.
The reason that the recipe recommends the eight weeks is to allow it to mellow, 190 proof grain alcohol is very strong.
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.
Due to the high alcohol content (usually above 40% ABV), unopened moonshine can technically last for an indefinite period on the shelf if stored properly. The alcohol acts as a preservative, preventing bacteria growth that would spoil the drink.
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.
Yes, if you want to store for longer, you can freeze the apple moonshine drinks. Just remember to leave headspace at the top as the liquid expands in the freezer.
If you want to serve this warm, you can. Just remember that it might burn off some of the alcohol.
Truly, it is good enough to sip on it’s own. However, 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 fall cocktail recipes.
Expert Tips for Making Moonshine
My homemade apple pie moonshine is incredible. Whether you like apple pie or not. You can add more alcohol if you wish such as fireball or spiced rum to the delicious apple pie moonshine recipe, depending on how strong you want your cocktail.
- 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
- Store the Moonshine: 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.
More Recipes You Might Like
Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe
Video
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 64 ounces Apple juice
- 64 ounces Apple cider
- 3 cups Sugar
- 14 Cinnamon sticks, divided
- ½ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 750 milliliter 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.
Christina’s Notes
- 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.- 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.
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!