Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe
Easy Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe using apple juice, cider, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Sweet, smooth, and perfect for relaxing evenings
Equipment
- Large stock pot (for cooking the mixture)
- Wooden spoon (for stirring)c
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fine strainer (optional, for a smoother texture)
- Funnel (for pouring into jars easily)
- Glass jars or bottles with lids (for storage)
- Ladle (to transfer liquid safely)
Ingredients
Ingredients! I love how simple and accessible these are.
- Apple juice – 1 gallon about 3.8 liters
- Apple cider – 1 gallon
- Granulated sugar – 1½ cups
- Brown sugar – 1 cup
- Cinnamon sticks – 6 to 8 pieces
- Whole cloves – 1 teaspoon
- Nutmeg ground – ½ teaspoon
- Vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- Grain alcohol like Everclear – 750 ml
- Vodka – 750 ml
Optional (but highly recommended for depth):
- Sliced fresh apples – 2 medium
- Orange peel – small strips
Instructions
Step 1: Combine the base
- In a large pot, pour in:
- Apple juice
- Apple cider
- Add both sugars and stir well. Turn on medium heat and let everything blend.
Step 2: Add the spices
- Now add:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Stir gently and let the mixture simmer. Your kitchen will start smelling incredible — this is my favorite moment!
Step 3: Simmer gently
- Let it cook for about 20–30 minutes. Don’t boil too hard. Just a soft simmer is perfect.
Step 4: Cool it down
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool completely. This step is important — never add alcohol while it’s hot.
Step 5: Add alcohol
- Once cooled, pour in:
- Grain alcohol
- Vodka
- Add vanilla extract and stir everything well.
Step 6: Strain (optional)
- If you want a smooth drink, strain out spices. I sometimes leave cinnamon sticks inside for a stronger flavor.
Step 7: Store
- Using a funnel, pour into jars or bottles. Seal tightly.
- Let it sit for at least 1–2 weeks before drinking. The flavor gets better with time!