Apple Pie Moonshine

[nelson96]

Since apples are in season, I thought this recipe would be appropriate.   Cost to make came to about $3.50/qt for me.

1 gallon of apple juice (128 fl. oz.)
1 gallon of apple cider (128 fl. oz.)
1-½ cup white sugar
2-½ cups of brown sugar
½ clove of fresh nutmeg (finely ground)
8 cinnamon sticks
1000 ml (1-1/3 fifths) of 190 proof grain alcohol, Everclear

Add everything but the alcohol in to a large boiling pot. Bring the contents to a boil (this
will insure that the sugar has completely dissolved, very important). Remove from heat
and let cool to room temperature. Only after it has cooled, gradually stir in the alcohol.

Following this recipe, will dilute this liqueur to 10-11% alcohol (20 proof). If you want it
to be stronger simply add more alcohol. . . . You can also increase the proof by simply
letting the pot boil for a long time (boil off some of the liquid, concentrate).

Mix well before storing in quart sized Mason jars (batch makes about 9 quarts). Add a
cinnamon stick to each Mason jar and store in a cool dark dry place.

You may find, like I did, that it tastes pretty potent when you’re done. If this is not
what you’re after, put it away (in your jars) for about 2-3 weeks and your Apple Pie
Moonshine will taste awesome. The longer it sits the better it gets.

Best served over ice.

[bartsdad]

I make something very similar.

It is also good warm, served with a dabble of whipped cream. 

[nelson96]

I've found that no matter how you drink it, it doesn't last long, it goes down so easy.  Will sneak up on you too.

[cheryl1]

Thanks for the recipe! I LOVE Apple pie moonshine!

[nelson96]

Thanks for the recipe! I LOVE Apple pie moonshine!

I've personally drank it for years but the friends that made it would never give me the recipe, they would only sell it to me (for $30 a 5th).  They would go on and on about how expensive it was to make, the weeks it would take to make it, and the labor involved.  Disgusted that I was at their mercy, I finally searched the internet and came across a recipe that I tweaked a little to suit my liking. 

Now I know that my friends weren't very good friends, once I discovered it only cost me $3.50/quart to make it and it wasn't very hard to make . . . .  And, in a blind taste test, mine was chosen as hands down better.  My friends are pissed, but I did give them my recipe.

Because of this experience, I vowed to share this recipe with anyone who wants it, and even those who don't ask.

[mike77]

This sounds a lot like something I was introduced to in my early 20's but didn't know how to make. Thank you. Oh, and the idea of it warm with whipped cream sounds pretty good also!

[bartsdad]

I've personally drank it for years but the friends that made it would never give me the recipe, they would only sell it to me (for $30 a 5th).  They would go on and on about how expensive it was to make, the weeks it would take to make it, and the labor involved.  Disgusted that I was at their mercy, I finally searched the internet and came across a recipe that I tweaked a little to suit my liking. 

Now I know that my friends weren't very good friends, once I discovered it only cost me $3.50/quart to make it and it wasn't very hard to make . . . .  And, in a blind taste test, mine was chosen as hands down better.  My friends are pissed, but I did give them my recipe.

Because of this experience, I vowed to share this recipe with anyone who wants it, and even those who don't ask.

I was introduced to this by listening to NASCAR radio on XM. I tweaked the recipe juice to cider ratio to correspond with the size of the jugs readily available to me.

Yeah, you need better friends.

[NassPrep]

This recipe sounds awesome! I am definitely going to give it a try. The idea of letting it set in the jar for a few weeks makes sense, especially with the cinnamon in there.

[Vulcan]

Sounds tasty! I'll have to give it a go.

[SheepdogSurvival]

It's pretty badass, I make something similar and my friends love it! It's good stuff.

[nelson96]

It's pretty badass, I make something similar and my friends love it! It's good stuff.

I'm drinking some right now.

[MNSurvivor]

Just made a batch a few weeks ago.  Found out MN only sells 151 proof so I kept adding until it had a bite!  Turned out a bit too sweet and cinnamony but I will get over that and adjust next time.  We are already down a quart.

[bartsdad]

Just made a batch a few weeks ago.  Found out MN only sells 151 proof so I kept adding until it had a bite!  Turned out a bit too sweet and cinnamony but I will get over that and adjust next time.  We are already down a quart.

Be careful, even with using the wimpy MN Everclear, (my stock of the good stuff from SD had run out) the stuff will sneak up on you.

[cheryl1]

I had a friend worry that the alcohol content would be too high if I stored any of this recipe for too long. Is that right? I thought the alcohol process was stopped by the time you buy the liquor off the shelf and it was just the flavors that mellow over time.

[SheepdogSurvival]

I had a friend worry that the alcohol content would be too high if I stored any of this recipe for too long. Is that right? I thought the alcohol process was stopped by the time you buy the liquor off the shelf and it was just the flavors that mellow over time.

Yeah that is my understanding. It does not get any stronger over time (yeast can't live at that high of a alcohol % anyways) it just mellows.

[cheryl1]

That's what I thought too. I made 2 1/2 gallons of it last night. Yum!

[Adam B.]

I love Apple Pie moonshine — I am going to have to try this little recipe out very soon.

[microdevil45]

Saving this for future consumption...

[Cooter Brown]

So is that hard cider?

[Archer]

So is that hard cider?

Yep in that it has alcohol on it... Bet it would also be good warmed on a cold night.

[SheepdogSurvival]

So is that hard cider?

No, it's different. Hard cider is brewed like beer, the alcohol comes from the actual cider. Apple pie shine the alcohol comes from everclear or shine added to a cider mixture.

[Cooter Brown]

No, it's different. Hard cider is brewed like beer, the alcohol comes from the actual cider. Apple pie shine the alcohol comes from everclear or shine added to a cider mixture.

No, I meant the ingredient; is the second ingredient hard cider, or off the grocery store shelf cider?

[lettuceman]

The second ingredient is apple cider.

[cheryl1]

I had some last night. Needs more alcohol in the recipe (for my taste). Seemed like I got full before I got relaxed. Tasted great though. I'll up the grain alcohol for the next jar.

[SteveandTracyinKY]

This recipes is getting saved and will me made. Have had this stuff before but never knew it was simple to make. 

[nelson96]

To answer a few questions and give an update to my original post . . . .

The alcohol content will not increase over time as it sits.  As long as the cider has cooled before you pour the alcohol in, it will not change.  But, just because you put 190 proof in, doesn't mean you get 190 proof when you're done.  What you are making is liqueur and the cider dilutes the proof.  If you stick to the recipe, you'll get about a 20 proof liqueur.

The second ingredient is simply apple cider (not "hard" cider).  There is really no difference between cider and juice, it depends on where you're from as to what you call it.  But, typically the difference is usually that cider is unprocessed and unfiltered.  You can use all juice, or all cider in the recipe.  I haven't found either to make a big difference in the taste unless it's fresh pressed versus store bought.

I have recently been trying variations of alcohol type (mixing Everclear and flavored vodka) and adding more alcohol than I listed in the recipe.  I've found that it really doesn't matter how much booze you add, as long as you let it sit for a few weeks.  The flavors blend and you can't really tell one proof from the other . . . .  The moral of the story is, add more booze.

[SteveandTracyinKY]

More booze.....got it