Moonshine has always had the reputation of a backwoods-crafted, lightning-bolt, head-kick of a brew. New millennium moonshiners embrace that rebel rap while bringing a new level of respect, craftsmanship, and creativity to the art.
Aficionados will always wallow in the joy of sipping shine neat, but these days, tuned-in mixologists and distillers alike have been multiplying their options by learning how to make flavored moonshine.
What is moonshine?
In its essence, moonshining is a process of converting sugars into alcohol.
It starts with a mash of grains, starches, or fruits processed to maximize sugar content, which yeast then feasts on to produce ethanol. The liquid from that mash is then distilled multiple times to the clarity, purity, and proof that the distiller desires.
You can learn all about how to make moonshine mash here.
Some flavored moonshine recipes require this full multi-step process for best results and subtlety of flavor. But if you'd rather not get caught up in the red tape of obtaining fuel-alcohol or distilled spirit permits but you still want a flavored moonshine to serve up at your next party, we've included recipes that infuse flavor into a readily available substitute.
Making flavored moonshine with Everclear
Some people reach for vodka when making a fruit-flavor-infused brew. That is, of course, an option, and if that's the route you want to go, check out this video on how to make delicious vodka-soaked fruit.
However, a better choice in terms of the classic, clean moonshine taste is Everclear.
Everclear is pure grain alcohol, just like you'd whip up yourself, if you had the right permits, of course. It comes in two proofs, 151 and 190, and can be diluted to the strength you prefer.
Let's get right into it then, shall we?
How to make strawberry moonshine
Strawberry moonshine is a sweet summer treat with a real kick. Drink it straight or mix it with seltzer for a fizzy afternoon cocktail on the deck.
The following is a typical infusion recipe that you can use with many different kinds of fruit:
- 1 qt. total volume moonshine or Everclear, diluted to 100 proof
- 2 cups or more fresh strawberries
- Mason jars
- 1-2 tbsp. of sugar, optional
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
1. Wash the fruit well, remove leaves and stems, and slice thin to maximize surface area to be exposed to the moonshine.
2. Divide the fruit among the mason jars so that they're 1/3 to 1/2 full of fruit. Fill to the top with moonshine or Everclear, and close tightly. If you've got a sweet tooth, feel free to add a tablespoon or two of sugar to the mix.
3. Store in a dark place for a month. Give the jars a good shake every couple of days to help the infusion process.
4. When the infusion flavor is to your taste, strain the moonshine through cheesecloth to remove the fruit. Store the fruit-infused moonshine in a fresh new jar. Serve over ice for a refreshing strawberry moonshine cocktail with a kick.
How to make apple pie moonshine
There's a subtle difference between apple pie moonshine and applejack moonshine, although you can make the first by using the second.
How to make applejack moonshine involves mixing up a fruit mash and then distilling the wash to your preferred proof. Infusing classic apple pie spices into that final applejack shine turns it into evocative, fragrant apple pie moonshine.
If you'd like to whip up some of this tasty brew more quickly, check out the recipe below.
- 1 qt. apple cider
- 1 qt. apple juice
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- As many cinnamon sticks needed per mason jar
- 1 1/2 cups 151 proof Everclear or moonshine for a 40 proof recipe, scale up for stronger proof
1. Heat the cider and juice and add sugar until fully dissolved. Cool the liquid and add moonshine.
2. Fill mason jars to the top and add a cinnamon stick to each. The sweetly-flavored moonshine can be served immediately, but aging for a few weeks infuses a stronger cinnamon taste.
How to make lemonade moonshine
Nothing tastes better on a hot summer day than a frosty glass of lemonade... moonshine. Gather your friends and chill out with this simple, sugary-tangy recipe.
- 6 cups of water
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups lemon juice, freshly squeezed is best (about 8 lemons)
- 2-3 cups moonshine or Everclear (depending on strength you want)
- Mason jars as necessary
1. Warm the water, lemon juice, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Let cool and add the moonshine to the strength desired.
3. Pour the whole mix into mason jars.
4. Chill and serve up as soon as it's frosty-cold.
How to make lemondrop moonshine
Remember the sweet-sour taste of a hard candy lemon drop on your tongue? A gulp of this recipe will put a new shine on all those wonderful, summery, childhood memories.
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups moonshine or Everclear
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups lemon juice, squeezed from 8 big lemons
- 4-6 of hard candy lemon drops
1. Dissolve the sugar in warm water, let cool and add the rest of the ingredients.
2. Divide the volume among mason jars and drop a couple of lemon drops in each jar. This can be served immediately or left to infuse a stronger candy-lemon flavor.
How to make watermelon moonshine
The question of how to make flavored moonshine can be answered in several ways. Like any fruit, watermelon can be used to make a fruit mash, the result of which can then be distilled into a subtle, strong, and authentic shine well worth the wait. If you'd rather have results more quickly, go ahead and stir up this watermelon moonshine cocktail.
- 2 shots of moonshine or Everclear
- 1 cup of cubed seedless watermelon
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup of lemonade
- Seltzer to taste
- Ice
1. In a large cocktail shaker combine a cup of crushed ice, 8-10 bite-sized cubes of watermelon, the fresh lemon juice, and the moonshine.
2. Shake vigorously.
3. Add lemonade, a splash of seltzer if you like fizz, and pour into two glasses to serve.
How to make honey moonshine
Image: Moonshine
Honey moonshine is more colloquially known as "honeyshine," and it's a favorite of distillers everywhere. Basically, brewers make a honey mead through fermentation of a honey-based mash and then distil the wash to a higher purity and proof.
- 1 gallon honey
- 5 gallons water
- 1 package dry yeast
1. Stir 1-gallon honey into 3 gallons water in a large pot to 160 degrees or so until dissolved.
2. Add the remaining water, cool it all to 70 degrees and then add the yeast.
3. Pour the resulting mash into a fermentation jar, like a 5-gallon glass carboy, cover the mouth with cheesecloth, and let ferment until bubbling stops.
4. Distill to desired purity.
How to make blueberry moonshine
This delicious blueberry moonshine has a kick that will ignite your taste buds and bring on that country home feeling.
- 1/2 gallon blueberry juice
- 1 tub of blueberries, washed
- Cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup brown or white sugar
- 1 can blueberry pie filling
- 750 ml. Everclear (190 or 151 proof depending on the kick you want) or moonshine
- 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
1. Warm up the blueberry juice, blueberries, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot, then slowly add the sugar and blueberry pie filling.
2. Simmer for about a half an hour, then turn off the heat and let it all cool.
3. Add the moonshine and the vanilla extract and pour into mason jars to infuse for a few days.
4. Strain before serving.
How to make pineapple moonshine
Got an old crock pot buried in the back of your garage? Take it out and put it to good use! Check out this super-simple crock-pot recipe for pineapple moonshine.
- 1.75 quarts canned pineapple juice
- 2 cups sugar
- 750 ml. moonshine or Everclear
1. Heat the juice and the sugar (stir to dissolve) in the crock pot for 2 hours, on a low setting.
2. Cool to room temperature and stir in the moonshine.
3. Chill in mason jars and serve.
How to make cherry moonshine
Sweet and strong, this cherry moonshine tastes like summer, is simple to make, and it's great for gifts. The following recipe yields four mason jars worth of flavored shine to share with your friends.
- 1 quart cherry juice
- 1 can cherries in syrup
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 of a liter bottle of 190 proof Everclear
1. Combine everything except the moonshine or Everclear in a pot and heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Let it cool, add the moonshine/Everclear, pour into mason jars and store.
3. Spritz it up with a dash of seltzer or ginger ale or enjoy it over ice.
How to make blackberry moonshine
Image (modified): Blackberry moonshine
Blackberry moonshine is a popular choice for shine aficionados. Like any other fruit, you could make a blackberry fruit mash for fermentation and distillation, or you could try this recipe that offers up an alternative for blackberry moonshine without distilling.
Or you could try the blackberry syrup-based moonshine mix below.
- 2 cups blackberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup moonshine or Everclear
- Slim peels of lemon and lime zest, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long
1. Dissolve the sugar in water at high heat along with a couple of blackberries, then cool and transfer evenly to two mason jars.
2. Add evenly to the jars the rest of the blackberries, a sliver of lemon and lime zest, and the Everclear or moonshine. Let sit for several days for maximum infusion, shaking occasionally.
3. Strain out the blackberries and serve!
Now that you know how to make flavored moonshine, you're sure to be the center of attention at your next dinner party, summer BBQ, or blowout event.
Flavored moonshine is a craftsman's delight, so consider mixing fruits or trying more exotic options like papaya or mango to create fresh new flavored shines.
Rory Constantine
Rory used to spend his days tinkering with airplane engines in a Raytheon hangar. But on a junket overseas, a fellow grease monkey talked him into visiting a British distillery that offered tastings. Now he chases the scent, potency, and promise of spirits up mountains, through jungles, and over wide deserts in search of the next transformative mouthful.
