Last month I shared my recipe for Peach Pie Moonshine. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should check out the recipe. It was so good and so popular, not only with my friends and family but apparently also with you, my readers. I decided that I also needed to come up with a good apple pie moonshine recipe. I modified my peach moonshine recipe a bit and voila! A new, tasty apple pie moonshine recipe to share with friends! I used regular apple juice and unfiltered apple juice (apple cider) when I made this. I felt the unfiltered apple juice would give even more of an apple flavor. I purchased my unfiltered apple juice at Sprouts, but I’m sure you can find it at many other grocery stores.
I made this batch last Saturday and it was a big hit when we watched football last Sunday. My sister-in-law and I even poured a little over vanilla ice cream. It was amazing! She said it tasted like apple pie a la mode with a kick!
If sipping it isn’t really your thing, you can always mix it into a cocktail. I have heard that Sprite is great. I mixed mine with ginger ale and it was delicious! Whatever way you like to drink it, I hope that you will love this recipe as much as I do. It’s a great recipe to make for parties or to give out to friends! Just remember to enjoy it responsibly.
I always love it when you share, like, or pin with your friends.
~Katie
- 1 - 64 oz bottle apple juice
- 1 - 64 oz bottle unfiltered apple juice (apple cider)
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 - 750 ml bottle everclear
- Bring the apple juices, sugar, and spices to a boil. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour. After one hour, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Pour into a separate bowl with a strainer and cheesecloth. Stir in the everclear and ladle into individual jars.
- This recipe makes 6 1/2 quarts. You can always alter the strength of this recipe by adding more or less everclear. It just depends on your tastes.
Chopped up some green apple real small and cooked in the apple juice… Yum!
That sounds amazing! I was thinking of doing that too, but had forgotten to buy apples. I think next time I’ll do that:)
Actually I have a question. Can you put sliced fresh apples in a jar and soak them in Hot Damn sorta like you do cherries in shine.
I don’t know what Hot Damn is. Is it like fireball? If so, I don’t see why not:)
I replaced half of the Everclear with spiced rum. It came out very smooth.
That sounds like a delicious combo!
Anybody know what proof this ends up being?
I want to say it is close to 40 proof, if I’m remembering correctly.
Was wondering if you keep your Moonshine in the refrigerator after the two weeks?
You could. I just keep mine in the cabinet, but I know some people prefer theirs to be cold.
I missed the part about 2weeks. How long do you keep it at room temperature? Will it last if made now, for Christmas?
As long as you don’t drink it, it should last just fine;) It would just be a little stronger by Christmas. I have a hard time making mine last since we’re always going to BBQs, etc.
I make my own moonshine but i dont put as much everclear in mine cause i drink mine right over ice in a small glass so it dont water down
How come some moonshine u cannot see thru its all different shades of brown ? I think if u cannot see thru it then u used apple cider in yours . I dont use cider i use apple juice.
Correct, real “moonshine” is clear. Period. If you use cider it will still be cloudy because of the pulp-ish texture of the cider.
All of the “REAL” Moonshine I’ve had came from a still in the back woods of S. Carolina. It had fabulous Apple Pie, Peach, Caramel flavoring but was as clear as the cleanest water. I don’t care for these “fake” moonshines. Wish I could make the real thing in CA.
I would love to make these with the real deal, but sadly don’t have a way of doing that. I’ve heard it’s great though:)
Can you please tell me what ever clear is and where I get it?
You will only find it a liquor stores, not grocery stores or walmart. Where it is located really depends on the store. Sometimes it is with the whiskey, other times it’s elsewhere. The store employees will be able to help you find it.
You can now buy Everclear at Wal-Mart in Michigan. Just bought it in zip code 48838.
Thats awesome! That makes your Walmart a one stop shop for making moonshine;)
IT IS AN ALCOHOL BOUGHT IN ANY STATE STORE/LIQUOR STORE
I had to google Everclear. It is prohibited in 14 states, so there’s no chance of getting it here in California. Any substitutes?
I would see what the highest proof grain alcohol is that you can get. You can always try to substitute vodka or rum, but it will not be as strong unless you add a lot of it. I can’t guarantee the taste will be as good that way, unfortunately.
you can buy 151 proof in CA but not the 190 that we can buy in OK
We live in ID (they don’t sell Ever Clear in ID) and have to drive to Montana to get it. We make a day or weekend of it :O)
You can buy Everclear all over California. Try a BevMo or liquor store. I’ve had no trouble in those places.
Not every state…it’s not sold in Mn
I buy my Everclear at the MGM liquor store in Red Wing MN. It’s not 190 proof like I can get in WI, but we prefer the 151 proof. I have been making this for years using 1 gallon of apple juice and 1 gallon of apple cider. I bump up the sugar content(4+ cups) , as my Sweetie likes it sweeter! I use 4 cinnamon sticks and leave out the ground nutmeg and cinnamon. Also I bring it to a boil then turn down the heat and continue a soft boil with the pot covered so I don’t lose any liquid thru this process. I soft boil for 30 minutes then let it cool over night right on my stove top. Add the Everclear the next day and pour it back into the apple juice and cider jugs and the Everclear bottle too. You know you haven’t lost any when you can refill the jugs and bottle to the top! We have enjoyed this right away and also months later. We keep ours in the frig, but I know people that keep it in the cupboard too.
His much everclear do you use?
I use about 750 ml, but i used a bit more the last time.
You can also use Golden Grain also!!! It is 190% proof and works very well!!!
If you want the color to be better and a smoother taste use Brown sugar. it can be Dark brown or Light Brown. the moisture content and lack of bleaching gives a more natural taste and rest better on the taste buds. – I make Shine… I love Apple Pie and other drinks I make… Hope ya’ll like the edit. Enjoy Iced.
I have thought about trying it with brown sugar. I think I’ll do that with my next batch:)
Tried it, but it just tastes like cinnamon, not very sweet at all. Anyone else experienced this? Did I do it wrong? Thought I followed directions to a T.
I’m sorry you didn’t like it. I’m not sure what happened with it to make it just taste like cinnamon.
iF YOU DIDN’T LIKE THIS, YOU MUCH HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG, IT IS ADDICTIVE! TRY AGAIN.
Same thing happened to me. Tasted a lot of everclear. So right now I’m taking 1/2 of the Apple cider and 1/2 of the Apple juice and boiling it with the spices and put two cups of sugar. I’m gonna let it cool after I boil and simmer it. I’m gonna add it to the original batch, then poor it back into my jars.
This isn’t “moonshine” per say, but it is very tasty. I’ll add that ever clear is not sold in the state of VA, nor is any othe 190 proof corn whiskey. A brisk drive to Carolina or MD can solve that problem. Thanks for sharing! BTW this concoction will freeze, unlike an 80 proof whiskey unless of course you make it a LOT stronger :))
Yes, one of my neighbors said he froze the jar of peach moonshine I gave him. Maybe peach moonshine ice cubes for iced tea and apple pie moonshine ice cubes in ginger ale would be pretty tasty:)
Like that idea a lot!
Can’t buy ever clear in Va. but you can still buy moonshine, on the down low of course.
Hate to admit doing this, but if you put some apple slices in it, then after they soak in there a week or so, you
can chop them up and put them on your breakfast cereal. Taste yummy, and you end up with a buzz at 7 AM.
Lol! Now that’s funny!
Do you use fresh apple slices at the end or do you cook them in the apple juice?
I haven’t used fresh apples, but I have a friend who used my recipe with fresh apples and loved it. I believe she added them during the simmering process.
i have been making the Apple Pie for years (a Christmas gift I better show up with for many of my friends or I’m in trouble) but I make it in the fall and keep it in cool dark shed and we never drink it without it “curing” for a least a month. The taste is just too strong and waiting there is NO taste of alcohol but be very careful, it will sneak up on you. I love this and can’t wait to try the Peach but have had it both ways and really think letting it sit gives it a much better, smoother, more apple pit taste. If I use the mason jars, I might just process it. Thanks
Same here…we have been drinking this yummy drink at SCA events. We however have added Vanilla vodka as well…tastes like apple pie with melted ice cream…yeah VERY addicting.
How much of the vanilla rum do you add and where in the process do you do that?
thanks 🙂
I don’t add vanilla rum, but I’ve added flavored vodka to the finished moonshine to give it an extra kick and it adds different flavors to it (caramel or churro)
Do you seal this In a canner? There was a comment about 2 weeks-are you leaving it sit at room temperature for 2 weeks before drinking it?
I did not process and seal the jars. The alcohol content is high enough to not make that necessary. As it sits it will allow the flavors to get stronger and the alcohol content will get slightly higher. A friend just opened her peach moonshine 9 months after I gave it to her and she said it was great. It was room temp.
This stuff is wonderful BUT people talk about making it and drinking it WRONG. I am making mine now for Christmas presents and it has to sit for weeks for the taste to be “pie” and not everclear! If you make and drink all you will taste if the strong liquor taste and not the sweetness of drinking the juices from the bottom or an apple or peach pie. That is what you should be tasting. It will still kick you butt because the everclear 190% is still there but you don’t taste it. Make is at least a month before you want to drink.
I would like to see the recipe in time for Christmas. So it would be presentable! Thank you.
I’m in California, we can only get 151 proof everclear here, would it still taste the same and would that be strong enough to stay shelf stable?
Yes, it would still taste the same. Just not the same strength:)
Can you use vodka 80 proof instead? How long is the shelf life if you just put the lids on and not heat seal them?
Hi Tina,
You can certainly use 80 proof vodka. It just won’t be quite as strong. As for the shelf life, I’m not entirely sure. It’s my understanding that it will last quite a while, it will just get stronger. You definitely do not want to heat seal them as this will burn off the alcohol in it.
I make this often, use cinnamon sticks instead of the ground cinnamon and nutmeg. I have also added hot damn instead of the cinnamon, vanilla vodka for alamode, butter shots for caramel apple pie.
I’m in Australia where we can’t get anything remotely mlike Everclear unless we go to the trouble of setting up our own still from a microbrewery supplies store…which is WAY too expensive, especially if not a big drinker, like myself. I use vodka, and also do a strawberry and rhubarb as well as a cherry one (using apple and cranberry juice or apple and blackcurrent along ith jars of morello pitted cherries in juice syrup).
But I aso add cloves and some ground ginger. We call apple cider ‘cloudy apple juice’ here, so I like a mix of half clear apple juice and half cloudy…because I like the colour. I also use half dark brown sugar for the molasses flavour, but use a bit less.
Store it in both mason jars and also plug spring capped glass bottles…green one for Apple Pie, red ones for cherry.
The longer you leave it, the better thye blend and the potency of the sugars fermenting with the added alcohol, which increases its kick 🙂
I made this moonshine following the recipe. When i tried it after a week it was very stronger will it taste more smooth if i let it sit for awhile
Yes, it should. I’ve never had it last that long, unfortunately. Usually I make it for parties and it is gone fairly quickly (within a week or two).
I just did a moonshine tasting (or 3) in the Smoky Mountains- $27.00 a quart. I loved the peach, so I’m gonna try this 🙂 Thanks!
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It’s so yummy! I actually need to make another batch soon!
I have an abundance of plum juice. Have made the apple pie but wonder if you have seen a recipe for plum moonshine?
I can’t say that I have. It would be interesting though.
Hi! Do you leave the cinnamon sticks in it when you put it in the mason jars or spoon them out?
I leave them out. There’s a good amount of cinnamon flavor when it’s all done.
I leave the cinnamon stick in mine the whole time. Some of my friends put ice cream in it and use the stick for a straw, Kick you butt stuff!
I have seen other recipes that also include vodka with the grain alcohol. What is the difference?
The vodka will make it stronger. It’s really good warmed up slightly and mixed with churro vodka.
Im in Va we dont sell 190 proof Everclear but im sure i can find something with a high proof of alcohol my question is if I add a flavored alcohol like vodka do I use the 750ml of the highest alcohol content I can buy….plus the vodka or cut back on the grain alcohol add vodka to make it 750ml total? So does the recipe have to have 750ml or can you go over 😉
Would love to know what I “did wrong”… Knowing this would make a large amount, and that I was giving it away (didn’t really have time to make, jar and remake)
I didn’t have cheesecloth but used multiple lined coffee filters so straining was a b*tch.
Even so… I couldn’t enjoy the taste over the “lighter fluid” smell that hit my nose before I even took a sip! The alcohol is SO strong :-/ does it tone down????? Also when people make comments of it blending or getting more flavor the longer it steeps what does that mean? Most of my species strained out- so the main taste it cinnamon.
Thanks!
The first time I made it, I took a sip when I mixed it all together and it was so strong. When I let it sit until the next day, it tasted amazing. I also think the cinnamon tast depends entriely on the quality of cinnamon sticks, which I hadn’t thought about until now. I used cheap $1 cinnamon sticks from Walmart, so they aren’t as strong as the $6 jar of cinnamon sticks. I personally prefer a strong cinnamon taste, but I know not everyone does. I’ll be sure to make a note on the recipe.
Thanks for the quickly reply.. I definitely love cinnamon (even got some fireball whiskey to go with my “pie”) and being a pastry chef I knew not to skimp on the cinnamon stick! We have a great store nearby- Penzy’s Spices I also put one in each jar.. The liquor store was out of everclear tho (maybe too many pie moonshiners for thanksgiving!) so I got the highest proof grain alcohol I could. Haven’t ever had it tho so was concerned maybe I did something wrong! 🙂 will let it sit a couple days and then try it! Thanks again
You DO NOT DRINK THIS FOR AT LEAST 1 MONTHS if you want it to taste like an apple pie and not pure alcohol. So many people are not making this correctly. You boil the cider and the apple juice with the sugar and spices, YOU MUST LET IT COOL SO IT DOES KILL THE ALCOHOL. Bottle it and up it up for it to taste sweet and like pie juice, that is how it kicks your butt LOL.. I make mine and it sets for at least 2 or 3 months before I give it for Christmas presents and I have friends that are waiting EVERY Christmas for it. I make peach pie the same way and even use my fresh peaches from my own trees and leave them in the jars and eating them is an extra “kick”. PLEASE PLEASE LET IT SET TO GET THE REAL TASTE.
I’ve used a moonshine recipe that used brown sugar and with the everclear I also added 1c captain morgan. I put a cinnamon stick in each jar before filling. I let it sit for at least 2 weeks. Tasted amazing!
i have everything for the recipe but I also have some brown sugar. I want to know if I should put both sugar and brown sugar and how much of each. I’m making today for Christmas. I want it smooth like apple pie but not overly sweet.
I have never made it with brown sugar, but I’ve heard great things about using it. You could always do 50/50 granulated and bown sugar if you like:). I think my next batch will be made with brown sugar, just to try it out!
I’ve been making this for float trips and the 4th off July for years, except I use maple syrup instead of sugar. Makes a delightful difference
I used 1 gallon apple cider, 1 gallon apple juice, 2 cups brown sugar, one cup regular sugar, 10 cinnamon sticks and brought it up to temp on the stove. Let cool for about 6 hours and poured in the Ever clear and poured into Mason jars with a cinnamon stick in each jar. I tried immediately and couldn’t get over the strong taste of Everclear. Tried a sip the next day and it was totally different. Not a hint of Everclear. I am thinking of adding a shot of Captain Morgan to each jar. Seems like it is missing the “spice” taste. The brown sugar make all of the difference though
How do you get 6 1/2 quarts out of this?
The amount of liquid combined with the 3 cups of sugar equaled out to 6 1/2 quarts of moonshine when I was finished making it.
I’ve made this many times and clear or not, it’s delicious. I usually serve it icy cold in shot glasses. As in the directions, make sure your apple solution is totally cool before adding the Everclear. Also, drinking anymore than 3 shots in one night could have you waking up with a headache. It’s super strong.
We have made apple pie and strawberry lemonade and after each refrigerated. My question is after a few days in each batch we noticed this white chunky stuff floating in the jars. What is causing this and what do we do to stop it?
It might be from the fruit? I’ve never seen white chunky stuff floating in mine. I’ve seen bits of fruit, but that’s it.
So just the amount of alcohol keeps this from going bad even though the jars aren’t sealed? Or do you need to use a canner and seal the jars? I just made a batch, but dont want it to go bad!
Correct. The alcohol keeps it from going bad. I’ve got some that is six months old and tastes amazing.
Thanks Katie, making mine this weekend, I also add Whipped Vodka, it’s like having ice cream with your pie!! It’s an OMG moment..
Sue..
That sounds amazing! I’ve added the churro flavored vodka to it and it tastes like apple cobbler, but it made for an OMG moment followed by an amnesia moment;)
I made mine with half white & half brown sugar, I also added more ever clear then the recipe called for. It seems to be separating, what does that mean?
Maybe the brown sugar didn’t dissolve properly? I’ve never had that happen before, but I’ve never used brown sugar.
any suggestions on how to fix it?
At this point, no. You can’t boil it longer, because the alcohol will be cooked off. Does it taste okay if you shake the jars and sip it?
I will have to wait to see how it taste tomorrow. The alcohol still smells too strong right now. Thank you 🙂
Yes, it will smell pretty strong the first day. Once it sits overnight, the alcohol smell and taste will mellow.
I’m sorry idk where this comes off as real moonshine. Moonshine is made with corn and the flavors are added later! My friend tried this to compare and no it doesn’t even taste like the legal actual apple pie moonshine you can get at a Walmart for $20 that’s made in gattlinburg. if I were to share this with people I’d call it a “mock” moonshine. Because some of us know what actual moonshine is
Not sure how Southern you can be but I live in OK and there is NO 190 proof moonshine sold in any Walmart here. I make Apple and Peach Pie “moonshine” and there are many things now called moonshine. Not because it is made from corn but because it was almost pure alcohol. With all the problems in this country, this is what you have to comment on. I suggest you run down to your local Walmart and pick yourself up a couple of bottles of that corn stuff and relax!
LOL You go girl
What is Everclear. Sounds like paint cleaner. I’m an Aussie living Wales
Everclear is a high alcohol content grain alcohol. I’m not sure if it is available overseas or not.
How do you store the jars, and how long are they good for? Do you seal them like you would jam?
I can’t give you a definitive shelf life, but I’ve had some that even after a year was great. Definitely stronger though;)
Can someone tell me how long the sealed jars of moonshine will keep and in what storage temperature. Does it need refrigeration once it’s opened?
Thank you
I have had some that was a year old and it still tasted great. I can’t say for sure how long the shelf life is, but the alcohol keeps it from spoiling.
Katie, this recipe is a favorite of mine. I live in a rural area near Yosemite so I have to buy my 151 proof Everclear in Los Angeles when I go to visit relatives. I bought a case of Everclear at a store called Total Wine. This will make 6 batches of Apple Pie and 6 batches of Peach Pie. Those two recipes make great host gifts and holiday gifts as well. Thank you for posting these recipes. 🙂
Absolutely! I’m so glad you like it!
Followed receipt and only 4.5 quarts
Followed this and for some reason only got little over 4 quarts. Any suggestions?
That’s strange. The only thing I can think of is that either the mixture boiled for too long and evaporated or maybe the quantities were off?
My recipe is close to yours…I always a cup of brown sugar, 2 cups spiced rum, and fresh apple slices. Cheers!
I come from a family of real moonshiners. Your recipe is NOT apple pie moonshine. It’s nothing more than a mixed drink using apple juice and spices. Where is the “moonshine” part? Everclear is not moonshine. It’s just ethanol stripped of any flavor.
I made this last night.. I like it!! Next time I will cut back on the sugar by a cup and strain it through a cheese cloth more than twice..
Recipe Is great. However, it makes less then 5 1/2 quarts and that’s me adding a cup and a half of vanilla vodka. In saying that, thanks for sharing.
On some other sites that I was reading in regards to: Making lower shelf whiskey taste and seem like the top shelf stuff.
They stated that after making your favorite concoction, Use a Brita Water
Filter, Run your potion of choice, 3 or 4x through. ( To filter out the reminents) Remember to change the filter for use of Water Only when done with making Moonshine. ( Your kids and others will appreciate your *remembered* thoughtfulness)😉
Hey just made your recipe. i have drunk moonshine many times and finally stoped because i could never get a good mixer but i have to admit, this tastes great. My only question is following tour exact recipe (i traded nutmeg for apple pie spice) i only ended up with 4-1/2 quarts. Am i missing something here… and i promise i was not sampling during the process…
I’m not sure. Maybe it cooked down more than you realized? I’m glad you like it, though!
Here is my recipe: 1 gal (128 ozs). Apple Juice, 1 Gal (128 ozs) Apple cider, 5 cinn sticks, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract. Bring all that in a pot to boil. Let cool completely. Once cool, add a fifth of Everclear, 1 ½ (355 ml) cups vanilla vodka, 1 cup (237 ml) maple whisky, 1 cup (237 ml) regular vodka. Stir completely and then bottle. It’s best to let it ferment so make it about a month at least before you plan to drink it and add more cinn sticks to each container to help flavor it while it sits. That’s the apple pie recipe.
If you plan on using real fruit, add during the boiling process and let it disintegrate. Once cool, run all liquid through cheesecloth until all pulp is gone. Then add booze.
Harvest pie is just the same thing except with strawberries, apples and blueberries, and don’t add the sugar.
Feel free to tweak the recipe to your taste. I made a batch last Memorial Day Weekend (2019) and let it sit from then to Labor Day Weekend when I took it to Dragon Con in Atlanta. They have pie tasting events and a large variety of recipes. One thing about this recipe – I could not find Maple Whiskey so I improvised with a pint of bourbon and 2 tbsp of maple extract. It came out quite nice! And FWIW – Everclear and Golden Grain are pretty much the same thing. One thing I also did different was to get one of those big water cooler bottles and let the whole batch develop inn it over the course of the summer. I then bottled it in new 375 ml bottles right before con with tamper proof caps. Enjoy!