Hello!
Here is the recipe for Apple Pie Moonshine we made just before Christmas. It makes a wonderful holiday drink, not just for Christmas time but for the summer, as well. It stays good for months, just as long as you keep it in sanitized mason jars in a cool place.
This recipe makes quite a bit of Moonshine, however it’s perfect for us because we give these away to family, friends, and co-workers as Christmas gifts with a holiday ribbon tied around the mason jars. They absolutely love this gift and always ask for more because the drink doesn’t last very long once they open it.
We drive to New Jersey for the Everclear since they sell the 190 Proof grain alcohol and Pennsylvania only sells 151 Proof.
This recipe is really simple and it doesn’t take long to prepare at all. The longest wait time is for the mixture to cool completely before adding the alcohol. It is imperative that you do this otherwise the entire drink will be wasted.
If you do not allow the mixture to cool completely, you will end up flashing the alcohol.
I hope you end up making this. It’s perfect for any time of the year, especially now with barbecue season approaching. We just brought some of our Christmas batch to the opening day of fishing and it was a big hit!
You hardly taste the alcohol at first, but it won’t take very long for you to feel it!
I hope you all enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon of Apple Juice
- 2 1/2 gallons of Apple Cider
- 6 Cinnamon Sticks
- 4 cups of Granulated Sugar
- 3 cups of Brown Sugar
- 1-750 ml bottle of Vanilla Vodka
- 1 handle of Everclear (We used 190 Proof
- 2 Tbsp. of Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp of Nutmeg
Directions:
- In a large stock pot combine Apple Cider, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Apple Juice, and Cinnamon Sticks.
- Heat on high until it reaches a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Add Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar and mix thoroughly.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mixture and base of the stock pot to cool completely. *Note – if you do not allow the mixture to cool completely, you will end up flashing the alcohol.
- Once the mixture is cool, add the Vanilla Vodka and Everclear.
- Stir thoroughly and then transfer to mason jars. Keep in a cool place.
- Enjoy!
See photos below for examples:
- In a large stock pot combine 2 1/2 gallons of Apple Cider, 2 Tbsp. of Cinnamon, 1 Tbsp. of Nutmeg, 1 gallon of Apple Juice, and 6 Cinnamon Sticks.
- Heat on high until it reaches a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Add 4 cups of Granulated Sugar and 3 cups of Brown Sugar, and mix thoroughly.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mixture and base of the stock pot to cool completely. *Note – if you do not allow the mixture to cool completely, you will end up flashing the alcohol.
- Once the mixture is cool, add 1-750ml bottle of Vanilla Vodka and 1 handle of Everclear.
- Stir thoroughly and then transfer to mason jars. Keep in a cool place.
Enjoy!
You can absolutely use the cinnamon sticks in each moonshine jar. I do this all the time. Some cinnamon sticks may fall apart while cooking, but they’re still great to use.
Hi Karen, yes I would sanitize both the lids and rings in boiling water before placing them on the jars.
Me and my niece made this, this weekend. It is really good! I understand that you cannot water bath. I sanitized my jars and rings. My question is this. Do you take the lids and put them in boiling water before putting them on the jars. If the liquid is cool and the jars and rings are cool so that the lids will actually seal like normal when you can???
Do I just throw away the cinnamon sticks or can I put a little bit of cinnamon stick in the jar with the moonshine?
Finally got to make this. It is delicious. A little on the sweet side but very good. We really enjoy it slightly warmed. Brings out the spices more and great for a chilly evening by the fire.
Yes, the water bath will essentially cook out the alcohol. Since there’s so much alcohol in it to begin with, it will stay good for quite a long time without having to can it in a water bath. Keeping it simply canned in a mason jar will suffice. We even refill old alcohol bottles with the drink rather than throwing them away.
A handle will be 1.75 liters.
If I wanted to can this, such as in a water bath, would the heat destroy the alcohol level?
Is a handle one whole bottle?
A handle is 1.75 liters.
I recommend to keep it in the refrigerator, especially after opening. As long as you are no drinking directly from the jar it is in, it should stay good for at least five months due to the alcohol. If drinking from the jar, I would recommend consuming in one sitting.
What is a handle of Everclear?
How long is the shelf life? How about after it’s opened how long do you have to drink it? Does it need to be refrigerated after opening?
I’m thrilled you like it and that it was such a hit!
Made a batch turned out to be the best…had so many compliments on it!!!
That’s what I do for the holidays. They make great gifts. That’s why I tend to make such a big batch. This will yield approximately 20 pints.
how much does this yield? I was thinking of making it for my cousins for the holidays
Hi Diane, a handle of vodka will be 1.75 liters.
What is a handle of vodka