Hi everyone! It’s time for another round of Drinks with the Girls! My blogging BFF, Melissa (A Prudent Life), and I loved the spring edition of Drinks with the Girls so much that we’ve decided to make it a seasonal blog hop! We have teamed up with some seriously talented ladies, and we’ve got some fun summer cocktail recipes that will make you want to grab your car keys and run to the store for ingredients! I’ve included a list of everyone’s links to their recipes at the end of this post, so be sure to visit them all and add some fun new cocktails to your recipe books!
For this summer edition, I’m so excited to be sharing this yummy Cherry Pie Moonshine recipe with you. To me, cherry pie just screams summertime and I knew I had to come up with a recipe for a cherry pie flavored moonshine. It’s perfect for backyard BBQs with friends or for the 4th of July. I love sipping it ice cold out of a mason jar, but there are many other ways you can enjoy it.
You can mix it up with some Sprite or ginger ale or you could even pour it over ice cream! This recipe makes approximately 3 1/2 quarts of shine. I use Everclear for the recipe, but if you are lucky enough to have some legit moonshine then by all means use that! Just remember to shine responsibly!
- 2 – 32 oz jars of Just Tart Cherry Juice
- 2 – 15 oz cans dark cherries in heavy syrup
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 – 1 tsp almond extract
- 500 ml everclear
- In a large pot, bring the cherry juice, cherries, and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add almond extract and everclear. Carefully pour into mason jars, leaving room to add the cherries. Divide the cherries evenly between the jars before placing the lids on them. Serve immediately or store in either the refrigerator or a cool, dark place.
Don’t forget to check out these other delicious looking cocktails! I can’t wait to give them all a try this summer! They make me want to have a girl’s night cocktail party.
1. Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade by Sypsie Designs
2. Grapefruit Perrier with Vodka and Fresh Raspberries by Dolen Diaries
3. Summer Sangria by One Krieger Chick
4. Stars & Stripes Sangria by Stuffed Suitcase
5. Strawberry Paradise by Tiny Sidekick
6. The Rand McNally by Upcycled Treasures
7. Grown Up Lemon Berry Slush by A Prudent Life
8. Cherry Pie Moonshine by Addicted 2 DIY
Linking up at these parties:
Ooo this drink would work perfect for a girls night! I’ve never had a cocktail like this- definitely adding to the list to try! Looks amazing ; )
Jodie @ sypsie designs recently posted…Drinks with the Girls Summer Edition: Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade
Thanks Jodie! I loved your recipe too! I was actually thinking today that I wanted to grab the ingredients at the store:)
Oh. My. Goodness. I am pinning this right away! I love a yummy cocktail. New follower. Looking forward to meeting you at Haven!! xo, Emily
Emily@11gables.blogspot.com recently posted…Eleven Gables: back porch living
Thanks Emily! I look forward to meeting you too! I’m getting so excited!
I have never tried anything like this, but I lOVE cherries! Cannot wait to try it!
Ariean @OneKriegerChick recently posted…Summer Sangria
Thanks Ariean! It’s pretty yummy;) I can’t wait to try your sangria either! The recipe looks soooo good!
Wow – looks amazing! Love the deep color & love cherries!
Kimberly @ Stuffed Suitcase recently posted…Stars & Stripes Sangria Recipe for July 4th
Thanks Kim! It’s so yummy:). Have a great rest of your weekend!
Oh wow, this looks so good and your photos are gorgeous too! Can’t wait to try this out!
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures recently posted…The Rand McNally {Drinks with the Girls Summer Edition}
Thanks Katie!
I’ve never had any kind of cherry cocktail and now I’m wonder what has taken me so long! This sounds amazing 🙂
Melissa @ aprudentlife recently posted…Grown Up Lemon-Berry Slush – Drinks With the Girls Summer
Does this have to age? What is Everglade and where do I buy it?
No, you do not have to let it age if you don’t want to. Everclear is a very high proof grain alcohol. You can buy it at liquor stores. It’s not sold in grocery stores.
I can’t find Just Tart Cherry juice (is it concentrated) does anyone know of a replacement
I purchased mine from Walmart. You may be able to find it at natural food stores like Sprouts or Whole Foods.
I bought mine at krogers in the organic isle.
I would love to see recipe for other moonshines, like blackberry cobbler, blueberry cobbler, coconut cream pie, chocolate pie, strawberry pie, ect……….
Could you use fresh cherries instead of canned?
I’ve never done that, but I assume you could. You may want to cook the liquid longer to render the most flavor from the cherries.
What proof is this once done? I saw the peach reading @ 20 +/- proof meaning 10% alcohol.. Im shooting to find a recipe for something @ 90 proof or @50% alcohol
I don’t have a way of calculating it exactly, but if I remember past discussions about it, I believe it was determined to be around 40 proof. You can certainly increase the amount of everclear in order to obtain a higher proof. It will just need to sit longer in order to mellow the flavor of it.
Katie,
All your recipes are fantastic. I have a two question for all your moonshines? When you are bringing the liquids to a boil do you keep the lid on or off and when simmering it is the lid on or off. Thanks.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I usually leave the lid on:)
Can you use vodka instead??
You definitely could! I know others have mentioned that they have made it with vodka. The alcohol percentage would just be lower.
I was wondering if you ever tried it with cherry brandy?
I haven’t. I’ve been tempted, but have never tried cherry brandy straight, so I couldn’t decide if I wanted to buy it and experiment:)