Apple pie moonshine has become an increasingly popular adult beverage in recent years. Often made at home by amateur distillers, apple pie moonshine promises the sweet taste of apple pie combined with a powerful alcoholic kick. But is apple pie moonshine actually any good? What exactly is in it? And how strong is it compared to other liquors? This article will explore the details and quality of apple pie moonshine.
What is Apple Pie Moonshine?
Apple pie moonshine is an unaged whiskey made from apples, sugar, and spices. It gets its name from the flavor profile it creates – instead of tasting like a traditional whiskey, apple pie moonshine tastes like a sweet, appley pie.
The main ingredients in apple pie moonshine are:
- Apples – Providing sweetness and appley flavor. Apples are typically juiced or peeled/chopped.
- Sugar – Up to a cup or more of white granulated sugar is added. The sugar boosts the alcohol content and gives added sweetness.
- Spices – Common spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla. These give apple pie moonshine its signature flavor profile.
- Moonshine – Either store-bought unaged whiskey or homemade moonshine can be used as the base spirit.
Apple juice, water, and occasionally lemon juice round out the mixture. The ingredients are combined, allowed to ferment or steep, strained, and then bottled. The finished product has an alcohol content around 15-25% ABV.
How is Apple Pie Moonshine Made?
While recipes vary, apple pie moonshine is relatively straightforward to make at home. Here is an overview of the basic process:
- Gather ingredients – apples, sugar, spices, moonshine/whiskey, apple juice, water, etc.
- Wash, peel, and chop the apples. Add to a large pot or jar.
- Add the sugar and warm water. Stir or shake to dissolve sugar.
- Add the spices, moonshine, apple juice, and any other ingredients.
- Allow the mixture to steep for 2-4 weeks. This infuses the flavors.
- After steeping, strain out the solid chunks of apples, spices, etc.
- Funnel the liquid into clean jars or bottles.
- Enjoy immediately or let sit for another 1-2 weeks to enhance flavors.
The key is allowing enough steeping/infusing time for the apple juice, sugars, and spices to impart their flavors into the moonshine. This gives apple pie moonshine its signature taste.
Taste Profile
So what does apple pie moonshine actually taste like? Here are the main flavor notes:
- Sweetness – Abundant sugar makes this a very sweet liquor. The sweetness comes through right away, even when chilled.
- Warm apple – Fresh apple juice provides a prominent cooked apple taste.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon is the most identifiable spice, coming through strongly in both smell and taste.
- Warm spice – Supporting allspice, clove, nutmeg add subtle spiced warmth.
- Tart – Hints of lemon juice creates slight tartness on the finish.
The overall impression is like drinking sweet, spiked apple cider that’s been concentrating into a rich liquor. It’s deeply appley and addictively sweet, rounded out by aromatic spices. The moonshine base provides an alcoholic bite.
How Strong is Apple Pie Moonshine?
Apple pie moonshine is no weak cocktail – it packs an alcoholic punch. Most recipes result in a finished product that’s 45-60 proof, meaning 22.5-30% ABV. This is similar in strength to vodka, rum, tequila, and other hard liquors.
Because apple pie moonshine goes down so smoothly with lots of sweetness, it’s easy to underestimate its potency. It’s important to drink this liqueur slowly and moderately. Otherwise the high alcohol content can catch up quickly.
Compared to beer or wine, apple pie moonshine has 2-4 times the alcoholic strength. A shot or two is equivalent to drinking a whole beer or large glass of wine. New drinkers should exercise particular caution with this deceivingly strong spirit.
Nutrition Facts
Like any liquor, apple pie moonshine packs calories and sugar. A typical 1.5 ounce (single shot) serving provides:
- Calories: Around 220 calories
- Carbs: 20-25g carbs
- Sugar: 20-25g sugar
- Fat, protein, fiber: Negligible
As you can see, a single serving delivers nearly a day’s worth of added sugar. The high calorie and carb counts come from the large amounts of added sugar needed to make apple pie moonshine.
Overall, apple pie moonshine is far from a nutritious or low-cal beverage. Moderation is key due to its heavy sugar and alcohol content. Each shot adds empty calories and sugar.
Cost Analysis
One appeal of apple pie moonshine is that it’s relatively affordable and easy to make at home. Here’s an overview of the costs:
- Apples – $5-10 depending on amount and type
- Sugar – $2-5 for up to 2 cups
- Spices – $3-5
- Moonshine – $20-40 for a 750mL/fifth
- Apple juice – $3-5
- Jars/bottles – $5-10
All told, a 1-2 quart batch of apple pie moonshine can be produced for $40-75 depending on ingredients. With a typical yield of around 15-30 single shot servings, that equates to $1.50-$3 per serving.
Compared to buying premixed liqueurs at the liquor store, homemade apple pie moonshine is generally 50-75% cheaper. It can be made for a fraction of the price of Bailey’s, Kahlua, Amaretto, and similar spirits.
Hangover Potential
Apple pie moonshine’s combination of high alcohol and sugar content make it prone to causing nasty hangovers. Signs of an apple pie moonshine hangover can include:
- Throbbing headache
- Stomach pain, nausea
- Fatigue, dizziness
- Dehydration
- Sensitivity to light and sound
These unpleasant symptoms are caused by the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism, as well as spiking and crashing blood sugar levels.
To minimize the chances of a painful hangover, it’s important to drink apple pie moonshine in moderation. More than 3-4 shots in a short period is not advised. Staying hydrated by alternating alcohol with water is also key.
Due to its potency, apple pie moonshine hangovers can be worse than hangovers from weaker alcohols like beer or wine. New drinkers should exercise particular caution until they understand their tolerance.
Safety and Legality
Like other forms of moonshine, apple pie moonshine occupies a legal gray area due to its homemade, unregulated production. While home brewing of beer and wine is generally legal, distilling spirits at home is technically illegal without the proper permits and licensing.
However, prosecution for personal moonshine production is rare, especially for small batch use. Apple pie moonshine is generally considered safe for consumption if made properly, but there are some risks:
- Methanol contamination – Improper distilling can result in toxic methanol.
- Bacterial contamination – Unsterile conditions may lead to bacteria.
- Overconsumption – High alcohol content makes overdrinking dangerous.
To stay on the safe side, it’s best to use commercial unaged whiskey rather than homemade moonshine. Sterilize all equipment, use quality ingredients, and drink responsibly.
Never sell or distribute apple pie moonshine, as this can violate liquor laws. Keep production small-scale for personal use only.
Reviews and Ratings
Apple pie moonshine is often hit-or-miss, depending on the recipe and process. Here are some reviews from people who have tried it:
“This stuff tastes INCREDIBLE, like drinking apple pie filling. Super smooth with a major kick. Dangerously easy to drink fast. 5 stars for taste but be cautious with how much you pour!”
“I wanted to love this but the combination of sickly sweet flavor with the burn of liquor was not pleasant. Maybe I’m just not a big liquor drinker. Gave the rest of the jar away.”
“Delicious and boozy, reminds me of apple cider turned up to 11! Definitely a fun seasonal drink but not something I’d drink regularly due to the sugar content. Fun to make at home but probably won’t become a staple.”
Based on various reviews, apple pie moonshine seems to be a “love it or hate it” kind of drink. Those with a sweet tooth and high alcohol tolerance tend to rate it highly. People who prefer dry drinks generally find it to be too sugary and strong.
As a homemade liqueur, it’s ultimately subjective based on personal taste preferences. When done right, many find apple pie moonshine to be a delicious spin on classic apple pie flavor.
Selection of Brands
While apple pie moonshine is predominantly a homemade DIY liquor, some commercial distillers have begun selling their versions:
- Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine – One of the most popular commercial brands. Made in Tennessee from a blend of apples and pie spices.
- Apple Pie Moonshine Co. – Small batch craft brand based in Missouri. Lower alcohol at 30 proof.
- Catdaddy Spirits – Award-winning moonshine brand with an apple pie varietal.
- Sugarlands Shine – Distillery located in Gatlinburg, TN. Apple Pie Moonshine is one of their flagships.
- Midnight Moon – Includes an apple pie flavor as part of their extensive moonshine line.
These commercial brands offer the convenience of purchase without the hassle of home brewing. However, they’re also more expensive at $20-30 for a 750mL bottle.
Best Practices for Making Apple Pie Moonshine
Follow these tips to brew quality apple pie moonshine safely:
- Only use new, sanitized equipment and jars.
- Wash all produce thoroughly before juicing/peeling.
- Use real fruit juice, not artificial flavoring.
- Measure ingredients precisely.
- Steep for at least 2 weeks, shaking/stirring daily.
- Use cheesecloth or a coffee filter to strain well before bottling.
- Sip slowly and responsibly.
- Don’t sell or improperly distribute.
Taking the time to properly make apple pie moonshine helps extract maximum flavor while preventing off tastes or food safety issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does apple pie moonshine need to be refrigerated?
Due to its high alcohol content, apple pie moonshine does not need to be refrigerated for food safety purposes. However, chilling helps enhance its flavor profile. Keep in the fridge and serve cold if you want the best taste.
How long does apple pie moonshine last?
Well-made apple pie moonshine has a shelf life of at least 1-2 years when stored in clean, sealed jars or bottles. Over time it may lose some freshness and fruitiness, but remains safe to consume.
Can I make apple pie moonshine without moonshine?
Yes, you can substitute vodka or even regular whiskey in place of traditional moonshine. The finished drink just won’t have quite the same homemade, backwoods flair.
Is apple pie moonshine legal to sell?
No, selling homemade apple pie moonshine would violate laws regarding manufacturing and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Only licensed commercial distillers can legally sell this type of liquor.
What’s the best way to drink apple pie moonshine?
Most people enjoy it straight up as shots, either chilled or at room temp. Some also like it on the rocks or mixed into cocktails. Apple cider makes an excellent mixer. Shoot for cocktails that complement, rather than mask the apple pie flavor.
Conclusion
Apple pie moonshine is a fun, homemade liqueur that captures tastes of apple pie with a strong alcoholic kick. While not a refined spirit, it can be delicious when prepared properly. However, apple pie moonshine should be enjoyed cautiously and responsibly due to its high alcohol content and immense sugariness. Moderation is key to avoid an unpleasant next-day hangover. Although homemade production occupies a legal gray area, small batches for personal enjoyment remain low risk. For those with access to cheap apples and a hankering for pie, apple pie moonshine can be an enjoyable autumnal indulgence.