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.
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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.
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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.
Made this with the 151 everclear as our stores doesn’t have the high octane stuff 😂. Also added a fifth of caramel vodka to give it an extra kick and it turned out delicious!!
I don’t have Mason jars, can I just put it back in the juice containers it came in and refrigerate? And how long will it keep then? Packer party I’d like to reheat in a coffee urn, would that wreck it?
Check my ultimate moonshine guide. It answers most questions about the drink.
I made this Apple Pie Moonshine with Everclear 151. I live in Florida and that is the highest proof I can get. Also I used 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 white sugar. And I didn’t put any cinnamon sticks in the jars. It made 12 pint bottles. And since it was 151, I tried some the next day. It was great.
We had some with friends. They liked it so much they wanted the recipe.
So glad it was a hit!
if you live near a base and know someone with base access you can get 190 proof. just bought some the other day in Pensacola.
This is pretty much the same recipe that I use, but I add a cup or two of Captain Morgan to the mix. Just a little more flavor and punch. Highly recommend the cinnamon sticks
I am in CA and can’t find anything above 120 :/
my thought to give this a punch would be to reduce the mix of juice to Everclear 120? I have 64 oz mason jars so I was thinking 50/50? what would you recommend?
Looks amazing! Do I need to sterilize the mason jars and lids before making this?
Even though the alcohol level is high in this I always recommend starting with clean, sterilized equipment.
hi! i just made this recipe. thanks for sharing! i have one question. Does this make 18 pint size mason jars? that’s how many i made. i am worried there isn’t enough everclear in each one. i want them to pack a decent punch. thanks!
We got just under 10 pints out of it.
I add a cup of bourbon to it just gives a nice flavor to it.
Good idea. It is a great cocktail.
I did the same thing with the sugar
if it isn’t strong enough and y’all want to add an extra umph, add 750 ml vanilla vodka in addition to everclear.
im on my 3rd batch. I did find that only 750 ML Everclear left it a little weak. for something called “moonshine” it shouldn’t freeze. my first batch did. I upped it to a half gallon. Was only going to do 1.5 fifth. but there was so little left I just put it in. made it kinda stout. but I gave it to friends and they asked for more.
Are you using the 190 proof grain alcohol and are you following the recipe exactly? If so, it definitely will not freeze. If you use a lower proof alcohol it will not be as strong. There is a photo in the blog post that shows the difference in the bottles of Everclear (151 proof vs 190 proof).
The resulting alcohol content is closer to 13.6% if you follow the recipe.
The juices plus the sugar is @ 152 ounces or 4495 ml.
plus the 750 ml everclear brings total volume to 5245 ml.
190 proof everclear is is 95% alcohol or 712.5 ml.
712.5ml / 5245ml is 13.58%
Adding 2 quarts of 85% white lightening to this recipe. Let you know how it goes in 8 weeks!
Very nice post. Very informative
Thanks
What’s the shelf life in a cool dark place vs a fridge? Looking for a long term storage.
I would like to know this as well! 👀
With the sugar content and alcohol content, probably 5 years. Definitely longer but the flavors might get weird.
I’ve made two batches of this recipe. However I did use one and a half cups of white sugar and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar because I like the depth of the brown sugar with my apple pie. So far this is the only recipe I found that has added nut made and cinnamon to the batch which I think makes a difference. I did find out the comparison between the two different batches was the quality of the Apple cider. I shared my apple pie moonshine with friends as Christmas gifts and they were all very very pleased.
how much sugar??
It is in the recipe card on the blog post. 3 cups.
you made my day I lost the recipe I had and who would of thought of course I should of known pinterest. thank you
Why is my apple shine so dark
Maybe the spices?
what is the reason for simmering this 1 hour? can it just be cooled down after it starts to boil?
It is for all the flavors to meld together. You can prepare however you like, but I can not guarantee the same end result.
Incredibly busy webpage. Hard to see what I wanted to see due to the Facebook etc column on the left, the heart and search icon on the right, a ribbon of recipes across the top and many, many ads popping up.
Aside from that a good recipe.
The jump to recipe link at the top will take you right to the recipe.