This Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine is your dessert and after dinner cocktail all in one!
This easy moonshine recipe is ready in about an hour, it also makes a great Christmas gift!

Everyone knows I love making my own liqueurs.
Some of your favorites have been my Vanilla Infused Rum and Chamomile Pear Infused Vodka. I love something where time does all the work.
I've done lots of summer and winter type liqueurs, but hadn't dabbled that much in fall liqueurs or in this case fall moonshine.
But once you make this Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe, you will return to it every fall!
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider - your favorite brand, I use organic.
- Apple Juice - look for one with no added sugar and preferably organic.
- Brown Sugar.
- White Sugar.
- Cinnamon Sticks - use these instead of powder so you get the flavor without the graininess of the cinnamon.
- Moonshine - use a clear unflavored moonshine.
How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine:
You're going to love how easy it is to make this delicious moonshine!
Combine the apple cider, apple juice, white sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon in a large sauce pan. Bring it to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
Once it's cooled, stir in the moonshine. Pour into mason jars.
That's it! You've just made an amazing fall moonshine!
Warning – this tastes so good, you do not realize how strong it is. We love to stir it into hot apple cider, into tea, poured over ice cream and just sipped. It makes a great Christmas gift.
It would be great for Thanksgiving or Halloween fall cocktails.
More Fall and Winter Infusion Recipes perfect for gift giving!
This Homemade Candy Cane Vodka is also ready in about an hour and is soooo good!! Plus it makes pretty cocktails!
One of the most popular recipes on my blog is this Winter Solstice Brew! It takes about 5 weeks, so get started now!
This Cherry Bourbon makes the most amazing Old Fashioned, you'll want to use a homemade maraschino cherry in it!
Everyone loves the fresh lemon flavor in this Homemade Limoncello!
Looking for even more infusions? Follow my Infusion Recipes Board on Pinterest!
Recipe
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Homemade Apple Pie Moonshine
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 4 cups apple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 750 ml bottle of moonshine
Instructions
- Combine the cider, juice, sugars and cinnamon sticks in a large sauce pan. Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Stir in the moonshine. Pour into mason jars (you can strain it with a coffee filter if you'd like to make it more clear.)
- It's ready to drink now, but it gets even better with age!
- Makes about 2 ½ quarts.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2013 and has been updated for 2020.
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Susie says
Does this need to be refrigerated? Asking for a friend! 😜
Pam Greer says
It will keep longer and taste fresher if kept refrigerated.
Perky says
I made this a while ago and it looks almost like the cider is separating. There is a milky layer, almost like a mother in vinegar. The one thing that got away from me is that the cider/juice boiled. Could that be it?
Pam Greer says
I have no idea what is going on with that! I ran upstairs to check mine because I have a fresh one from this year, but I also have about a half a jar of the one I made last year. Even the one I made last year is clear, though there is a little bit of sediment at the bottom because I used unfiltered apple juice. Does it look like sediment or is it actually a white milky layer?
Jacque Hastert says
This is one of my favorites to sip on during the fall evenings around a bonfire. I love that I can now make this at home and not have to spend so much money making it.
Amanda Mason says
How fun is this recipe! I love that you linked all your other liqueur recipes too because I can make several of these for holiday gifts! DIY at its best! Loving the flavor in the apple pie one though. Cant wait to try the other flavors!
Sue says
So I'm living in Basse-Normandie and this is France's home of cider and all things apple but am I right in thinking that moonshine is made from corn? So what could I use instead. We have all sorts of alcohol here but I'm thinking maybe Calvados?? Any suggestions will be gratefully received and all the very best, Sue
Pam Greer says
Do you have access to Everclear?
Sue says
Hi Pam and thanks for your reply and the message to tell me you'd replied! I thought I'd subbed so would have been notified but will sub again. No we don't have Everclear but certainly equivalents and I can get organic vodka easily at my local supermarket. I'll have a go at making it in the next few weeks and let you know how it turns out with whatever I use! All the very best from La Baie de Mont Saint Michel, Sue
Al says
You are correct that moonshine is made from a corn based mash. The first run through the still is the stripping run where all the alcohol is collected. Then the spirit run is where the different alcohols are divided, and the moonshiners skill comes into play, blending the ethanol "hearts". There is no "corn" taste to the moonshine after the spirit run.
Vicki says
I want to know how the vodka worked. Moonshine here is several times more expensive than quality vodka. And I am making a few gifts of flavoured vodka.
Ann says
Seriously, I have this country of yours.
Tina Culbertson says
Your husband deserves a pat on the back for this one for sure! It's perfect for gifts and you know, as soon as I saw Apple Pie and Bourbon I thought of the TV show Justified. If you've ever seen it you'll know what I mean.
Pam Greer says
I never watched Justified though my stepson kept telling me I should!
Chris says
Alexis just loves that stuff. She mixes it with Dr Pepper which sounds REALLY bad but it is so good. Everyone that she gets to try it loves it.
grace says
i'm pretty sure poisoned apple pie moonshine was used to kill a character on one of my favorite shows, but i'm still a fan (of both the show and the drink). 🙂
Bella Rum says
Great gift idea. I know several friends who would enjoy this.
Debbie@Mountain Breaths says
My next door neighbors were just talking about this. I must be living under a rock since I had never heard of it. Well thank you Mr. Sidewalk Shoes!
thepaintedapron.com says
Sounds dangerously good! Do you think you could make it with vodka so it wouldn't be quite so strong? I love the way you "bottled" it, so adorable and so innocent looking!
Jenna
Joy says
Makes me wanna sing "Rocky Top".
Erin Pocock says
sounds delicious, i will definitely have to try this one. i currently have my cherry vodka in the pantry. 🙂
Mary says
I'm in! So timely too, I just picked up bourbon to make an apple pie- infused version for a friend that's a bourbon enthusiast 🙂
Unknown says
Yes. Yes, And Yes. So simple and seasonal and just plain fun. GREG
Marjie says
Let me get this straight: You want all of your gift recipients to snooze through Christmas? Well, that sounds good to me! The apples are in full swing around here, too!
Melynda Brown says
I think the husband would love this! We can buy "moonshine" right here in our Costco in Washington state, but this looks more fun.....
Rattlebridge Farm says
A great idea, Pam. And a timely one. I have cider in the fridge...just need the moonshine. I will surely need it when I return from the meeting today about the kitchen clock. The last one was huge, the Clock That Ate New Jersey. Shaking in my tennis shoes.
Beautiful pictures!
Kitchen Ninja says
GET OUT!!! This is awesome, Pam!
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
This sounds fabulous Pam (and Mr. Greer)! Thanks for sharing & Happy Apple Week! xo
a quiet life says
ps, is this what you call baking? as in you are toast?!
a quiet life says
you totally crack me up, girl you do need your liquid refreshments! how fun you can manage to make any fruit or veggie have a buzz 😉
~~louise~~ says
Well thank you Mr. Sidewalk Shoes! This is a great idea Pam. I'd love to have this on hand for Thanksgiving company. And as Marjie says, "easy peasy" too!
Thank you so much for sharing, Pam...
Catherine says
Yum!!!!
xo Catherine
deana sidney says
I have been playing with my new still, making herbal waters and liqueurs. It's really fun to do. I'd love to play with this. Drinking my apple pie is a fun idea.
Joanne says
This would be dangerous in my hands...I'd probably drink it with every meal!