This No-Boil Apple Pie Moonshine recipe is so easy! You'll love this delicious moonshine with Everclear. Just pour five ingredients into a pitcher, stir and let it sit overnight! Plus, I'm sharing how to make apple pie moonshine as strong or diluted as you like.
This is our favorite Papa C drinks recipe of all time. My hubby's homemade apple pie moonshine will warm you up, make you popular -- and probably clear your sinuses too, if you make his 78-proof version.
You can make this easy moonshine recipe as strong or weak as you like, and even accommodate more than one preference from the same batch. And, you can throw this together in five minutes, before letting it sit overnight.
It's the perfect adult beverage for fall, Thanksgiving and even Christmas. It's one of the best homemade gifts!
What is moonshine?
Moonshine refers to homemade, illegally produced, strong whiskey made from corn. It's clear and unaged.
Note, this flavored moonshine recipe uses Everclear as its base, so it's not illegal.
Everclear is a brand of strong, clear alcohol made from grain. This recipe calls for 151-proof Everclear, which is the most potent sold in Ohio, where we live.
How to make apple pie moonshine
See the recipe card at the end of this post for full instructions, but here is an overview.
- Gather the moonshine ingredients: Everclear 151 (grain alcohol), frozen apple juice concentrate, spiced rum, brown sugar and cinnamon sticks.
- Place all the ingredients in a large pitcher or clean bucket.
- Stir to combine. Cover the moonshine and let it sit overnight at room temperature.
The next day, transfer the apple moonshine to mason jars or bottles and cover tightly.
How to adjust the proof
This is a strong apple pie moonshine recipe (78 proof) that can be diluted by adding extra apple juice concentrate (and cinnamon sticks for flavor). Here's how to dial down the potency of the baseline recipe by various notches. If you need to accommodate more than one tolerance level, you can start with a stronger proof and add some apple cider to individual servings as needed.
- 64 proof: Use three, 12-ounce cans of frozen apple juice concentrate and an extra ½ stick of cinnamon.
- 55 proof: Use four, 12-ounce cans of frozen apple juice concentrate and one extra cinnamon stick.
- 47.5 Proof: Use five, 12-ounce cans of frozen apple juice concentrate and 1 ½ extra cinnamon sticks
- 42 Proof: Use six, 12-ounce cans of frozen apple juice concentrate and 2 extra cinnamon sticks.
- 38 Proof: Use seven, 12-ounce cans of frozen apple juice concentrate and 2 ½ extra cinnamon sticks.
As a lightweight, I can only take small sips of the 78-proof moonshine. It tastes like apple, cinnamon, a hint of brown sugar and alcohol…lots and lots of alcohol!
I'm partial to the 38-proof moonshine.
Don't laugh! It still packs a punch!
It's so smooth and tastes like a caramel-apple-cinnamon adult beverage. Yum!
Does it need to be refrigerated?
It's best to store the moonshine in the refrigerator, but technically, a higher-proof version could stay at room temperature because the high alcohol content preserves it. We keep ours in the refrigerator and serve it chilled.
Does moonshine go bad?
Flavored moonshine such as this will eventually go bad. Strong apple pie moonshine can keep for years, but anything less than 64 proof will need to be refrigerated and consumed within three months.
Do not heat moonshine
Heating moonshine will cause some of the alcohol to evaporate, plus it's potentially dangerous. If you want to serve this warm, heat some plain apple cider, then off the heat, add an equal amount of apple pie moonshine.
Other drinks to enjoy
If you like flavored moonshine recipes, don't miss my hubby's Lemonade Moonshine with Everclear, which is one of our most popular posts! You also might enjoy these moonshine cocktails or this Chocolate Liqueur, made with Everclear too.
Here are some other drinks to try:
Folks, this is the best apple pie moonshine recipe. Bottom's up!
P.S. Here are some mason jars (affiliate link) if you need them.
(Recipe Source: My hubby - Papa C! - who's been making this for years and tweaking it along the way. Originally published on September 28, 2016 and updated now with additional photos and text.)
No-Boil Apple Pie Moonshine (Easy!)
Video
Ingredients
For 78-proof moonshine (very strong), makes nearly ½ gallon (see notes for diluted versions)
- 750 millileters Everclear 151 proof (grain alcohol)
- 2 (12-ounce) cans frozen apple juice concentrate (or use up to 5 for a weaker potency; see notes)
- 1-3 cinnamon sticks (plus more if making a weaker potency; see notes)
- 1 cup spiced rum (Captain Morgan)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a clean pitcher or bucket. Stir to combine. Let it sit overnight, covered, at room temperature.
- The next day, transfer the moonshine to mason jars or bottles. Store them, closed tightly, in the refrigerator. The higher proof versions will stay good for a few years. The versions less than 64 proof should be consumed in 2-3 months.
- If you want to drink this warm, do not heat the moonshine. It will burn off some of the alcohol, plus it could potentially be dangerous. Instead, heat some plain apple cider, then stir in an equal amount of apple pie moonshine off the heat.
Notes
64 Proof: Use 3 (12-ounce) cans frozen apple juice concentrate and add an extra ½ stick of cinnamon.
55 Proof: Use 4 (12-ounce) cans frozen apple juice concentrate and 1 extra cinnamon stick.
47.5 Proof: Use 5 (12-ounce) cans frozen apple juice concentrate and 1 ½ extra cinnamon sticks.
42 Proof: Use 6 (12-ounce) cans frozen apple juice concentrate and 2 extra cinnamon sticks.
38 Proof: Use 7 (12-ounce) cans frozen apple juice concentrate and 2 ½ extra cinnamon sticks.
If serving people with various tolerance levels, you can add apple cider to individual servings to dial down the potency as needed.
JSP says
I like the recipe because it seems easier (no boil), healthier (less sugar) cheaper (no cider) to make than my friends recipe.
In regards to the apple juice concentrate, I did not see water in the ingredients nor instructions to mix up the concentrate so I wanted to clarify before I make this.
Is this made with just the concentrate WITHOUT adding the water?
If so this would seem very strong/concentrated.
My friends recipe calls for a gallon of apple cider, a half gallon of apple juice and 3 cups of sugar.
Ted says
What about using 190 proof everclear?
Mamma C says
Hi Ted - You would have to add at least one extra can of apple juice concentrate to dilute it. We don't have exact measurements, since the highest proof of Everclear we can buy in Ohio is 151.
Jack Freeman says
This recipe is very popular with my family. They all expect a bottle during the holidays. Goes real fast at the deer lease. And super easy to make.
Mamma C says
Hi Jack - I love hearing that! Thanks for letting me know.
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh yesss - we love our apple pie moonshine! Hubby and I make it too, and it's always a favorite with friends and family! I love your addition of brown sugar! I'm going to have to try that!! Cheers, my dear! xo
Mamma C says
I remember that you guys make apple pie moonshine too. So fun, and it just makes people happy! I like it with brown sugar but have never tried it without. Cheers, Annie! xo
Gary says
It's not helping me I need to know how much of each to add to make the recipe
Mamma C says
Hi Gary - If you scroll up from the comments section, there is a full recipe card right there.
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
Whoa Nellie-no-really...I believe it would make me have a sixth child?! BHAHAHAHAHAH!!! xo
Mamma C says
Hahaha! Too funny, Cheryl! xo
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Apple pie flavours rum? I am SO on board with that - perfect for autumn.
Mamma C says
Me too! Thanks, Dannii!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This moonshine sounds great for parties!
Mamma C says
Yes...it kind of makes the party. Lol!
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I've never made my own moonshine and always thing of dark basements when I think about it. Your apple pie moonshine looks tasty and perfect for a cool fall evening. Perfect for Halloween:)
Mamma C says
Hahaha! I promise, our basement is bright and finished, with a full kitchen! Thanks, Ali!
Platter Talk says
Now that is what I'd call a nice, seasonal nip! Wonderful idea & great addition to a Fall get together (for adults, of course).
Mamma C says
This definitely takes center stage at any adult gathering! People go nuts for this. Thanks, Dan!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
This is awesome.. I thought for a minute you were going to have me making my own moonshine, but this seems a lot easier!! There's a Tennessee moonshine company that sells flavored moonshine and I see it here all the time, but it seems really sickly sweet to me. This sounds a lot better!
Mamma C says
Haha! It's easier (and probably more legal) to buy the grain alcohol and mix it in. I think you'll like this better than the flavored moonshine you've tried. Thanks, Sarah!