Is THC not your thing? Well, boo for that. THC is awesome, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Perhaps you would prefer to indulge in a little boozy fun instead?
But even if you partake in a little social drinking, moonshine may not be your first drink of choice. In fact, it’s not even on the menu for most people—and maybe not for the reasons you think. While moonshine can provide the boozy kick you need, it isn’t always easily accessible— and wasn’t always legal to brew or possess. That’s one of the reasons why you hear about moonshine referenced in the movies, on television, and in novels about the prohibition days of West Virginia—because at one point in the recent past, prohibition of home-brewed moonshine ran rampant.
Back then, folks distilled moonshine in the mountains—little campsites and wooden shacks were erected solely for moonshine production. These distilleries remained hidden from the law due to the nationwide crackdown on alcohol between 1920 and 1933, and the lack of regulatory measures involved in brewing it led to some serious health issues for many people who imbibed via the wrong batch.
But that’s not the case today, that the booze gods. These days, moonshine is more accessible, more flavorful, and— even better—less likely to ruin your eyesight. It’s so convenient, in fact, that you can make apple pie moonshine from the comfort of your home kitchen.
With just a few easy ingredients, a little know-how, and a block of time, you’ll be sipping in comfort in no time!
Gather these ingredients for your apple pie moonshine
To brew your very own apple pie moonshine at home, you need a few simple ingredients. You can buy most, if not all, of them from your local grocery store. You need:
• 1 gallon of apple juice
• 1 gallon of apple cider
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 pinch apple pie spice
• 1 (750 milliliters) 190 proof bottle of grain alcohol
• 1 (750 milliliters) bottle of vodka
Brew away, folks
We said brewing apple pie moonshine at home was easier and more accessible than ever before, remember? Well, to craft your very own moonshine-filled mason jar treats, it takes but two steps in the kitchen.
1. In a large pot, combine the apple juice, apple cider, white and brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks. You’ll want to bring the entire mixture nearly to its boiling point. Once there, cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat, and let it all simmer for an hour. After your timer goes off, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool off.
2. Next, stir in the grain alcohol and vodka into the pot and remove the cinnamon sticks. Then, pour the brew into clean mason jars, bottles, or any other drinking receptacle you prefer. You can store them in the refrigerator, which improves the taste as time goes on.
Congratulations! You just made your first batch of apple pie moonshine. It’s the perfect gift for the holidays, for a warm summer evening, or just because you love the taste of apple pie!