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How to Make Apple Pie Moonshine
So, you want to know how to make apple pie moonshine, eh? You've come to the right place. Apple pie shine is probably the most popular and sought after type of bootleg whiskey ever made, and for good reason - it's delicious. Here is our favorite (high octane) apple pie moonshine recipe.You can use any type of high proof alcohol you want to make these recipes. We used store bought moonshine from the Ole Smoky distillery.
What is Apple Pie Moonshine?
Simply put apple pie moonshine is moonshine that has the same flavors of an actual apple pie. Think cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. As we see it, there are 4 different types of apple pie moonshine:
- Super Easy Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe
- No Boil Apple Pie Shine
- Gourmet Apple Pie Moonshine (our favorite)
- Hot Apple Pie Moonshine
These will varying in taste, color, as well as temperature. Here's each type, along with a brief description, list of ingredients, and recipe directions.
Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe Ingredients
- 1 quart of 150 proof, pure corn whiskey moonshine (everclear could be used as a substitute).
- 3 cans of frozen apple concentrate.
- 8 cinnamon sticks.
- 0-2 cups brown sugar*.
Super Easy Apple Pie Moonshine
This recipe is called "instant" because it takes less than 30 minutes to make. This version of apple pie moonshine is the quickest to make, but it will have more bitterness and will lack a depth of flavor compared to the other options.
First, add the apple concentrate, cinnamon sticks and brown sugar to a pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer on very low heat, covered, for 20-30 minutes. Stir a few times as it is heating up to dissolve the sugar. Heating causes the cinnamon sticks to release their flavor very quickly, allowing you to be able to drink it immediately. I like to call this the "instant satisfaction" method.
After simmering, remove the pot from heat and let it cool. Make sure it is completely cool, and none of the burners on the stove are on before moving on to the next step.
After the mixture has cooled, split it between 4 pint jars (or 2 quart jars). Top the jars off with 150 proof corn whiskey. Remember, 100+ proof moonshine is flammable. You do not want to do this anywhere near a heat source.
If you completed all of the steps, congratulations, you just made your very own apple pie moonshine. You can start enjoying the fruits of your labor immediately.
The “No-Boil” Apple Pie Moonshine
This method of making apple pie moonshine is extremely simple and does not require any cooking. This recipe does require at least 12 hours but we recommend letting it steep for up to 48 hours for best results. This apple pie moonshine recipe does take more more time to make but the flavors are worth the wait.If you want to make a truly supreme batch of apple pie shine, you'll want to use something similar to this method.
The "instant satisfaction" method listed above causes flavor to be rapidly released from cinnamon sticks, making your batch instantly drinkable. However, "steeping" the ingredients overnight, without boiling, produces a better product. Why? Well, we aren't exactly sure, but we think that boiling the cinnamon sticks cause additional flavors to be released, making the final product ever so slightly bitter.
The "no boil" method provides 100% of the flavor with none of the bitterness. Beware, this recipe is high proof. A lot of recipes call for adding a gallon apple this and a gallon of apple that, but by the time you're done adding all that liquid, you've dropped your proof down into the baby formula range. Apple concentrate provides apple flavor without compromising proof. This stuff sneaks up on you - and then it punches you in the face! But it's oh, so good.
Gourmet Apple Pie Moonshine
The gourmet apple pie moonshine recipe is easy to make and requires no fancy equipment. In our opinion it tastes better than any store bought bottle. This recipe uses the same base ingredients as the "no boil" method, but the addition of spices turns a basic apple pie moonshine into something amazing.
The above mentioned recipe (cinnamon, sugar, and apple juice concentrate only) will make a great batch of apple pie moonshine. However, add spices like ginger, orange peel, cloves, allspice, vanilla bean, peppercorn, etc... and you'll have something that will make your tastebuds do backflips.
There are plenty of recipes on the web for more complicated versions of apple pie moonshine. Some of them are great, others are OK, but most are sorely lacking. We know this firsthand here at Clawhammer Supply, because we've tried a lot of them out. We did this because we've been working on a top secret project for a while now - the creation of a perfect blend of apple pie moonshine spices.
After making many, many test batches, and drinking a lot, lot, lot of apple pie moonshine, we finally landed on a recipe that we're 100% sure will melt your tastebuds into a puddle of awesomeness. We proudly present to you our very own apple pie moonshine spice mix.
Hot Apple Pie Moonshine
Not many people drink hot moonshine but it is delicious and underrated. This style of moonshine is best served during the winter months when the days are short and the nights are long and cold.
If you would like to serve up some hot apple pie moonshine, here's what we would suggest. Use the recipe above to make standard apple pie moonshine. Then, buy a couple of gallons of apple cider and spice it to taste using the same ingredients above. Heat it in a crock pot WITHOUT the apple pie moonshine. (You don't want to add the moonshine because you'll vaporize all of the alcohol if you heat it over a long period of time.) Just set the jar of apple pie moonshine next to the crock pot and let your guests add a bit (or a lot) to each cup of cider they pour.
We hope you enjoy this post on how to make apple pie moonshine. This is how we like it, but we'd also love to hear your thoughts. Let us know your opinion on this recipe, or share your own apple pie moonshine recipe below.
I’ve got a great recipe, and I’ve tried several different variations of it, but my last batch I tried I figured out to be about 60 proof. I take a gallon of apple cider, 1 gallon of apple juice, two cups of sugar(3 if you want it sweeter), and 1/2 gallon of 190 proof pure grain alcohol, and also you can use cinnamon sticks, or artificial cinnamon flavor. Boil all ingredients(except your alcohol) and let it cool down a little, and then mix your alcohol, and then jar it. Now my last batch I changed it a little: boiled the two gallons, and then removed two quarts to give it more alcohol by volume. After doing some calculations I figured it to be about 60 proof. It’s really good, but man it sure has some knock out power:). It’s good. I thought I would share my recipe with you. I’ve compared it with ole smokey apple pie shine, and ole smokey can’t touch it:). Merry Christmas from Harlan Ky.
Great recipe! Used 190 proof Everclear and tastes great! Thank you!
what do they mean when they say steeping
How about pumpkin pie shine, anyone ever tried it or pecan pie
I used a jar of 100 proof Ole Smoky Original moonshine to make this recipe. I also added a 5th can of apple juice concentrate because it tasted too strong at first. I love the spice kit & plan on ordering more in the new year.
A film could be pectins in the (insert fruit of choice here)
Love it! Thanks!
Can you email me a link on the exact way to make sugar shine mash? And all the steps to make the shine with the mash.. Also what type of electric cooker do you prefer and where can I get it
I would also like to know if you can use real apples and what kind works best and method! thanks
sounds fun- will try it.
I made a batch of moonshine, stored the jars in a fridge, came back a week later to get a jar and there is a weird film at the bottom of the jar about half an inch? Is this just sugars and the cinnamon settling or is it mold? It does go away if you shake it up quite a bit. I used the same recipe as a friend but I did not see that happen to the jar that he gave me.
What about grape pie ?
Does your recipe need refridgerated after it has been made or is it ok to put into a quart jar with a tight lid and put on a shelf?
If feel bad for you guys if you can’t buy but 120-150 proof. Here in South Carolina we can buy 190 proof. It’s not as good as homeade but almost. The apple pie recipe sounds good. The one I use is so simple it’s rediculous. 1 gal of cider 1 gal of juice 1/2 cup white and 1/2 cup brown sugar and a fifth of Everclear or whatever you can buy that pretty strong and clear. Everyone loves it, but I enjoy a bit more complex flavor, that’s why I’m gonna buy some of this apple pie spice mix.
it says you will wind up with two quarts of 70 proof??? that’s only 35 percent alcohol not very potent eh?lol did you mean 70 percent ?
Try with Tang and honey very good. Have had cherry
But nothing beats Apple flavor warmed
I would love to receive more of your recipes thanks LOVE them
This is the best Pie Shine recipe I’ve had! Thanks for putting it out there.
I made apple pie using the recipe above and its way to strong…it isn’t a light color as it is suppose to be it came out break dark like maps syrup dark…may I have suggestions on how to fix it so its consumable
I have made some good corn moonshine in the past good apple pie
here is a recipe I use
in a gallon picture
1 cup sugar
1tsp allspice
1tsp nutmeg
2 tsps ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon oil
3 tbs dark brown sugar
3 tbs molasses
mix together add small amount apple juice to make thick syrup, heat enough apple juice to 140 deg. to make 1/2 gal. mix up then add 2 quarts 100 proof corn whiskey. makes a gal. total.
add more or less whiskey for %
more whiskey less juice- less whiskey more juice.
im considering carrieing on the family tradition. and need guidance hit me up old timers