Apple Pie Moonshine XXX

As soon as you notice the color of the leaves changing and you feel the sharp bite of the crisp morning air. You know that it is Fall and that football season is upon us. I love this time of year. I especially love sitting with friends around a campfire or watching a football game on the tv. Or sometimes doing both. Right along with all of this comes one of my favorite fall drinks, Apple Pie!

There is a bushel of recipes for apple pie moonshine, pun intended, all over the internet. My recipe is a blending of multiple recipes and of course plenty of trial and delicious tastings.

The name "Apple Pie" Is very fitting as with each drink you take you can almost imagine taking a bite out of a piece of apple pie. Even better, this drink has enough of a kick to keep you warm during the cold fall and winter nights. It is especially good to share with friends and family during the holidays.

With the considerable amount of grain alcohol (legal moonshine) in this recipe you can barely tell that there is any alcohol in it at all. It is very smooth and can catch you off guard if you are not careful. (Insert alcohol warning). With the amount of time, it takes to make and age. It relegates it to special occasions rather than everyday consumption. I promise any gathering you serve this at or bring to will make you the apple of their eye.

Gather the Ingredients for Apple Pie Moonshine

1. A gallon of apple cider

2. A gallon of apple juice

3. A quart of EVERCLEAR moonshine

4. 1 cup of white sugar

5. 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar

6. 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks

7. A Tablespoon vanilla extract

8. 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

9, 1 apple cut into quarters (optional)

In a 16-quart stainless steel stockpot combine:

Apple Juice

Apple Cider

Vanilla Extract

Cinnamon Sticks

Ground nutmeg

Add the Brown and white Sugar once the mixture is steaming. (Add the sugar slowly while stirring)

Bring to a rolling boil stirring occasionally

Lower the temperature so it is just a simmer

Keep stockpot covered and continue stirring occasionally

I recommend 4-6 hours

Leave covered and allow the ingredients to reach room temperature.

Moving on to the next step while the product is still hot will result in evaporation of the alcohol

Remove the cinnamon sticks and apple pieces from the stockpot.

When the ingredients have reached room temperature.

Pour the quart of EVERCLEAR into the mixture slowly and stir.

Add a cinnamon stick to each bottle. Either from the pot or if you want more of a cinnamon flavor a new one. Using a funnel pour the apple pie into either mason jars or I prefer using recycled vodka bottles. (See the picture above)

These bottles have a great snap down rubber cork like seal which helps as the apple pie ages.

Apple cider often has sediment in it, so do not be alarmed if it looks cloudy.

Let sit undisturbed for at least 5 days, although I consider a week the minimum. The product must remain cool during aging and storage thereafter. I store mine in a refrigerator.

The longer you leave it to age the better the flavor will be. After 10 days the aging process will no longer change the flavor of the apple pie.

The small bottles can be given as gifts and of course, can be consumed directly from the bottle. I prefer the flavor better when served cold, even in the cold weather the drink warms you up all on its own, some prefer it room temp and some prefer it warmed slightly, decide for yourself. When done properly, even with a large amount of grain alcohol, more than a few people have had no idea that it contained alcohol. But it is in there, so be careful, it is stronger than the average cocktail. Enjoy!