It’s so easy to make Lemonade Moonshine! You’re going to love this delicious, refreshing drink!
Papa C is in the house!
Of course, Mamma C is writing this post. But when it comes to homemade moonshine or cocktails, you know my hubby is involved.
And by involved, I mean he developed the recipe and typed it out for me. I love when that happens!
My hubby always has some homemade drink concoction going in our basement kitchen, along with his wine. It’s not unusual for me to be cooking on the main floor while he’s tinkering with flavored booze downstairs.
We’ll be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary soon and have learned that separate hobbies make for a happy marriage. Plus, we always have something good to eat and drink.
But, we were out of lemonade moonshine, so I ended up in the liquor store in the middle of the afternoon, awkwardly asking for the Everclear. (#foodbloggerproblems)
But, hey, I did it for you! (Hiccup!)
You guys really are going to enjoy this lemonade moonshine. It was a huge hit last summer at our house. I mean, friends in the neighborhood would randomly stop by just to have a glass or two.
It’s refreshing, sweet-tart and oh-so delicious. It’s lemonade with a kick. Perfect for spring break, don’t you think?
Plus, it’s even easier to make than my hubby’s Apple Pie Moonshine. (That one’s developing a cult following, by the way. Have you tried it?)
The lemonade version’s ready in less than 20 minutes. No overnight business involved.
If you can dissolve sugar in a pot of water on the stove, you’ve conquered the most challenging part of the recipe. You don’t even have to boil the mixture.
Just let the simple syrup cool, then whisk in your 151-proof alcohol and lemon juice. Transfer your lemonade moonshine to bottles or mason jars, (affiliate links) and suddenly, it’s summer.
Even if it is snowing outside.
Enjoy!
P.S. The lemonade moonshine would be great served with this Red, White and Blueberry Salsa or Guacamole with Cherries, Gorgonzola and Walnuts. Yum!
(Recipe Source: Papa C, aka my hubby, the drinks master)
Watch the video to learn how to make Lemonade Moonshine!
Lemonade Moonshine
Ingredients
- 6 3/4 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup 151-proof alcohol (such as Everclear)
- 2 1/4 cups lemon juice (bottled juice is fine)
Instructions
- Add your water and sugar to a large pot on the stove and whisk to combine. Heat the pot over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. (There is no need to boil the mixture.)
- Move the pot to a cool burner and let the sugar water (simple syrup) cool. (The 151 alcohol is flammable, so it's important to make sure the water mixture is no longer hot when you add the alcohol.)
- When the water mixture is cooled off, whisk in the alcohol and lemon juice.
- Transfer your lemonade moonshine to bottles or mason jars and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Serve chilled, with ice, if desired.
Notes
For a stronger moonshine (30 proof), use 3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup alcohol, and 1 cup lemon juice.
Lynn
can I possibly get the measurements for 189 proof everclear to make this recipe 15 proof a glass?
Mamma C
Hi Lynn – I’m sorry, but I don’t have that info.
Mrs. Oki
Lynn you could add 19 more ounces of water or I would add another half cup of lemon juice (4oz) and the rest water (15oz) for a total of 19 ounces added to this recipe. proof of alcohol * volume of alcohol / total volume of drink= estimated percentage. This was my math 189*8=1512/99=15.2
The original recipe was 151*8=1208/80=15.1. I hope this helps. I had to learn the math before I dared to offer this delicious drink to friends since the only kind of everclear I could find was 189 proof. Keep in mind that this does not include dilution from ice this is just the beverage itself.
Mamma C
Thanks, Mrs. Oki!
Mrs. Oki
This looks great. I read the blog, recipe, comments and watched the video but don’t see the expiration date that was mentioned in a comment. Would you be able to let me know what that is if I wanted to make this ahead.
Mamma C
Hi Mrs. Oki – As mentioned in step 4 of the recipe, this can be refrigerated for up to two weeks, so that’s what the other comment was referring to. Enjoy!
Rhonda
Ooooh okay. Well let me say that I just made it today and it will never make it for 2 weeks!!😂 and yes it is written there and some how I missed it. Please forgive me for not reading throughly. My bottle of everclear is 184 proof 94.5% this tastes delicious and sneaks up on you. 😋
Mamma C
Hi Rhonda – Wow, that’s some strong stuff! I bet it does sneak up on you. Thanks for reporting back.
Renee
I have to keep my liquor cabinet locked and I am unable to keep liquor in the refrigerator. Does this receipe definitely need refrigeration?
Mamma C
Hi Renee – Yes, this needs to be refrigerated.
Pam
How much fun is this for a summer get together! Everyone in our crowd is going to love it. Can’t wait to be able to have a few people over so we can make this.
Mamma C
Hi Pam – This is always a hit! I hope you enjoy it.
RM
Hello. Can I substitute the sugar with a low carb version? I know how to make a simple syrup from swerve/erythritol. Does this affect the alcohol production at all (or would it just be a substitution on my end and not affect the overall recipe)?
I prefer to keep my alcohol consumption low-carb (way less hangover without the sacrifice of sweetness and also “healthier” as your body won’t be converting alcohol sugar and regular sugar)
Mamma C
Hi RM – We haven’t tried it, but it should be fine. The issue is how much sweetener to use, but you probably have that already figured out. Please let me know how much you used.
Lori
Can you use pure cane sugar ? And can you put in a plastic container to store?
Mamma C
Hi Lori – Yes, you can use pure cane sugar. Yes, you can store this in a plastic container. Enjoy!
Lori
Thank you very much. I have wayer and sugar going now. Merry Christmas
Mamma C
Merry Christmas, Lori!
Lori
When putting the moonshine in mason jars. Do the mason jars need to be put in a hot bath and the lids sealed like in canning foods?
Mamma C
Hi Lori – No, simply close the jars.
Case
LOVE this recipe but I am so confused 🤦♀️ completely math challenged.. So I need to make 20 Cups, I wanted 30 proof. But the 20 Cups converted to 30 proof per the recipe cuts the cups down and I need 20 Cup lol. Then I am using Everclear, which is 190 proof. So what would the recipe be for 20Cups total @ 30 proof using 190 proof Everclear? Anyone! Help please! I need to make this for Dec 18 so I need to figure this out asap!
Mamma C
Hi Case – My hubby did some math and figured out a 30-proof version using 190 Everclear. However, it makes 25 cups. Here it is: 17 cups water, 2 cups sugar, 4 cups Everclear 190, 4 cups lemon juice. When you taste it, if it needs to be sweeter, you can add more sugar.
Case
Thank you so much!💚💜💙 .. I saw your reply just in time! I’m literally making this as I type! I am also replacing the water for coconut water. I can not wait to taste this! And I hope my coworkers love their Christmas present 🤞
Mamma C
Hi Case – Coconut water might make it too sweet, if you don’t cut down on the sugar in the recipe. Let me know how it turned out!
Case
It turned out AMAZING! Big hit with everyone and now I am urged to start selling Moonshine 😂 .. I ended up sticking to the original recipe with the exception of replacing the water for coconut water. Then made a stronger 30proof for my own stash lol. Yummy! Everyone did ask me why there’s an expiration date, I didnt have an answer. I just said possibly because its homemade so no chemical preservatives? But I wasn’t sure. I’d think the alcohol would pickle everything lol.
Mamma C
Hi Case – I’m so glad to hear that! The reason there’s an expiration date is that there is not enough alcohol in this recipe to preserve the lemonade.
Dale
I want to try this but I need to know the measurement.
How.much water to how much sugar lemon juice and everclear.
I got a huge bottle.of everclear
Mamma C
Hi Dale – All the details are in the recipe card. You can click on “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the post or scroll down to the card, which is located above the comments.