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Apple Moonshine Mash Recipe

Apple "Moonshine" Mash - Easy Version
The easiest apple moonshine mash recipe would be to mix off the shelf, high proof spirits with an apple pie spice mix. We've done the hard part and have created the perfect blend of apple pie moonshine spices for you!
Apple not your flavor? Check out the rest of our moonshine recipes.
Apple Brandy Advanced Recipe
This advanced recipe we developed involves the distillation of alcohol, for which federal, state, and local permits are needed. We had a fuel alcohol permit when we tested this procedure and we were in compliance with state and federal regulations. We produced, stored, and used this alcohol in accordance with TTB requirements. We also kept and reported production logs in accordance with TTB fuel alcohol permit requirements. Do not try this without the proper permits.
To clarify, distilled fruit wine is typically called "Brandy." However, there are commercial examples of un-aged apple brandy that have been labeled "moonshine." This is the distillers' preference. That said, the first step in the process of making apple "moonshine," or brandy, is to actually make apple wine. After the apple wine has finished fermenting, it can be turned into high proof spirits through the process of distillation.
Ingredients
- 25 pounds of ripe apples ( 1/2 bushel. We used a mixed variety of apples which worked out really well)
- 5-10 pounds cane sugar (We found added 1-2 pounds per gallon of mash worked really well)
- Enough water to reach 5 gallons of total liquid after juicing the apples
- 2.5 teaspoon yeast nutrient (We just followed the directions on the label. The brand we used required 1/2 tsp per gallon)
- 1 packet dry wine yeast
Mashing Equipment
- Pleasant Hill MacIntosh Fruit Press 3-5 Gallon
- Pleasant Hill Maximizer Fruit Grinder
- 6.5 gallon fermenter with airlock
- Large pot for mashing
- Mash paddle or spoon
- Brewing/Wine hydrometer or refractometer
- Brewing thermometer
Target Apple Wine Stats
- Starting Gravity: 1.065
- Ending Gravity: 1.000
- Wash Alcohol By Volume: (ABV) 8.5%
- Spirit ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Time to Ferment: 7-14 Days (can vary depending on yeast and temp)
- Fermentation temperature: 70F
If you're into short cuts, you might want to check out our Apple Pie Moonshine Spice Kit before reading the rest of this recipe. It produces an awesome apple "shine" using a secret mix of spices and off the shelf alcohol!
Mashing And Fermentation Process
1. We picked a half bushes of apples. When making apple wine the more acidic and sour varieties of apples are best (Winesap, McIntosh, and Jonathans all work great)7. Collected the apple juice in a sanitized bucket
8. Once all of the apples were juiced, we added the juice into the mash pot.
13. Our original gravity was 1.013
For an apple brandy, I was going to buy apple cyder from a local farmer who makes fresh apple cyder (nothing added). For a 5 gal batch should I get 5 gals? or should I get 1 gal and the rest water.
For an apple brandy, I was going to buy apple cyder from a local farmer who makes fresh apple cyder (nothing added). For a 5 gal batch should I get 5 gals? or should I get 1 gal and the rest water.
Thanks Joe
How do you know when fermentation is complete? This article says about 7 days for the apple… I have seen some Potato Vodka recipe that says 2 weeks… Is it okay to take the airlock off and check the gravity or is that a no no….? Sorry, I am new to this but VERY excited.
My airlock has stopped bubbling but refractor reads 1.020. Should I let it sit longer?
You are correct that “most areas” it is legal to make beer, and wine at home for consumption at home, but every state, and county can be diff. so always check first.
Moonshine is 100% illegal everywhere without a permit. keep in mind if caught, they can take your house, and your property if they so desire!
So if you do, do it, its not a good subject to talk about.
Thanks for the information ??
this is the easyest way to make corn liquor by far no mash no storing everyday and u can do this any day of the month and all year long and it makes 130 to 150 proof liquor.
10 pounds feeder corn you can buy at any feed and seed store.boil corn 2 hours in 5gal of spring water.let cool to room temp.in a 5gal water jug add10 pound sugerthen strain the corn out of the water you just boild add to jug with suger cork jug shake this ll suger is dissolved uncork add 1 pack of levlin1118 yeast cork with airlock let ferment 12 to 14 days.the longer you let ferment the better your out come will be distille at 190 to 200 degrees
@ Donald I think the best and easiest would be corn to start with
I’m just getting in to distillering what’s the easiest recipe to do
I’m just getting in to distillering what’s the easiest recipe to do
After dealing with my apples,sugar and yeast ,how long would it be best to leave before distilling
NIce Sight i have abundant Of of maple syrup and apples ld like to try this please send some me some information / catalog thankyou
NIce Sight i have abundant Of of maple syrup and apples ld like to try this please send some me some information / catalog thankyou
I would like to share my recipe that i made this spring! 4.5 gallons of pure raw maple sap, and one gallon of honey! I used one package of turbo yeast and fermented for 7 days! After distillation i cut the straight liquor with maple syrup made from the same sap and 3 tsp of the honey to a pint! Well it was delicious! I made 1 gallon and between me and a couple friends im already down to my last pint! Just cant keep it around!
Where can I buy a refractometer like the one shown above?
Info about ur catalog
The photos and instructions are clear and well done. I would like to question a statement made in your first paragraph and I know this is nitpicking, is that “making alcohol at home for consumption is illegal”. I don’t think this is true. We can make beer and wine legally which is fermenting to make alcohol. 100 gallons per year per adult in a household and up to 200 gallons for more than 1 adult in a household. Not sure about wine. I think you mean distilling?
Thanks for the info! Can I get a catalog?
Looks like fun , I want to try this
Great article, you put me in the mood