This smooth apple pie moonshine tastes JUST like boozy apple pie. Enjoy it around the fire pit or at your next tailgating party. It is a quick and easy recipe perfect for enjoying with friends or gifting during the holidays. The flavor profile is very much baked apples and cinnamon – perfect for fall and winter evenings.
I originally shared this recipe back in 2017, and today I’m updating it with new information and my some extra tips!
I love a good, fruity cocktail! One New Years Eve we got together with friends to play some games and have a low key evening. My friend Brandi brought a jar of her mom’s homemade Apple Pie Moonshine and it was love at first sip.
Brandi poured me a glass and it was absolutely delicious – a perfect sipping cocktail. I knew it was strong and I don’t have cocktails often so I took it slow and steady. My sensible plan was to enjoy one modest glass.
This plan would have been perfect had Brandi not found it hilarious to quietly refill my glass from time to time. These days one glass is plenty for me but mercy does it go down easy!
How To Make Apple Pie Moonshine
This is an easy apple pie moonshine recipe. You simmer a high quality apple cider or juice and then let it cool FULLY. Stir in the alcohol and bottle it on up. Crazy easy!
Just be like Clinton and don’t inhale! The first time I made it I was a little impatient. I added the liquor before it was quite cool enough. It smelled SO good – just like apple pie! I kept taking big old sniffs.
This was SO not a good idea. It turns out you can absorb alcohol via the fumes (my husband thought it was crazy I didn’t know this but my college days were just not that wild). Unfortunately, I absorbed rather a lot of the fumes.
It wasn’t the most pleasant night but it was pretty funny the next day when I figured out what had happened. Now I make sure my juice is good and cold before I dump the liquor in and I just drink my apple pie moonshine.
How Do I Figure Out the Proof of My Apple Pie Moonshine?
If you’ve ever stared at your pot thinking, OK but how strong is this stuff?, here’s the quick kitchen-math version. Promise — no calculator trauma. But it is a little bit geeky!
Example Batch:
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1 gallon apple juice (about 3,785 ml)
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Half of a 750 ml bottle of Everclear (375 ml)
The proof depends on which Everclear you used, so here are both options:
If you used 190-proof Everclear (95% ABV):
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Pure alcohol in your 375 ml: 356 ml
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Total batch volume: 4,160 ml
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Final ABV: about 8.6% ABV
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Final Proof: ~17 proof
It is sweet and goes down easy so use common sense!
If you used 151-proof Everclear (75.5% ABV):
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Pure alcohol in 375 ml: 283 ml
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Final ABV: about 6.8% ABV
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Final Proof: ~14 proof
This is what is available here in Idaho where I live. It’s still flavorful and sippable, just a little gentler. I still find it strong!
I’ve been raising kids for the last 10 years and don’t often have cocktails anymore. My 20s are well in the rearview mirror and a small glass is my limit these days!
Apple Pie Moonshine For A Homemade Christmas Gift
Yes PLEASE! Bottle it up in a cute little mason jar, tie a bow on this sucker or even make a cute tag. Gifts managed!
Just one batch bottled in pints gets you 9 homemade gifts right there – and it’s FAST. Actually it is way less work than making cookies.
If you are baking challenged or short on time by all beans give alcohol!
FAQs For Apple Pie Moonshine
Does it have to be stored in the refrigerator?
Short answer: yes, please.
Even though apple pie moonshine is alcohol-based, it also contains juice — and juice can spoil. Keeping it in the fridge slows down any funky business and keeps the flavor bright and fresh. Plus, it just tastes better chilled. Win-win.
How long is it safe to store in mason jars?
The “official” answer is that kept in the refrigerator it will last 3-6 months without any trouble. But… most people feel safe keeping it for much longer. The flavor actually mellows and blends over time, so don’t be surprised if the batch tastes even smoother after a couple of weeks.
I’ve seen people on Reddit talking about storing it for four years! If you do want to keep it longer the freezer might be a better plan.
Just some common sense – if anything ever looks cloudy, smells off, or develops sediment that wasn’t there before, go ahead and toss it.
Can I make it with real moonshine instead of vodka or grain alcohol?
You sure can — there are commercially produced legal moonshine options available for purchase. If you get a backwoods mystery jug from someone’s cousin’s neighbor I’m not responsible for whatever crazy you land in!
Real moonshine gives the recipe a fun “I made this in the holler” vibe, but the flavor can be a little stronger or harsher depending on the brand. Start with the amount in the recipe, give it a taste, and adjust if you want more kick.
Cooking Equipment for Apple Pie Moonshine
- Vintage Mason Jars for Gifting or Serving – they are SO cute! I want an entire closet for all the adorable jars!
- Gallon Vintage Look Mason Jar – This is a great big jar to store a batch of your apple pie moonshine and it is so pretty to serve from
- Plastic Screw Top Lids for Mason Jars – If you store your moonshine in quart or pint jars these lids are great to have and cost effective
Love great cocktails? Try Some More of My Popular Drinks
Apple Pie Moonshine
Ingredients
- 1 gallon fresh apple cider or good quality apple juice (I use Simply Apple if I don't have access to one from a farm)
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 375 ml Everclear This is one half of a 750ml bottle
Instructions
- In a giant pot, bring the apple juice or cider and cinnamon sticks to a boil.
- Turn off the stove and let it cool for about two hours – it must be totally cool to the touch.
- Stir in the entire bottle of Everclear. (Don’t smell it as you stir – the fumes can do you in pretty fast.)
- Pour into pint or quart-sized mason jars. Store in refrigerator.
- The moonshine tastes best after it mellows for a few days to a few weeks.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Your Rating Matters
When you leave a comment or star rating, it means more than you might think. It helps me understand what you’re enjoying, builds trust for other readers, and supports real, tested cooking content. If you have a moment, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience. - Mirlandra
Nutrition Estimate
A Note on Nutrition
Nutritional info is an imperfect estimate. Please take it with a grain of salt.
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Erin @ Making Memories says
Sounds fantastic!
Mirlandra says
Thanks! It is fun 🙂