Prohibition Party: Apple Pie Moonshine

Brilliant Daughter celebrated a milestone birthday this year. True to family tradition, she hosted 15 friends and family to a weekend getaway in Cambria to “roar out her 20’s.” The theme: Prohibition.  

I prepared much of the food and drink, all of which had an era-appropriate theme or play on words. One of the more popular items was found in the guests’ goodie bags: Apple Pie Moonshine, or as it is better known “Mrs. B’s Miracle Elixir.” (Yes, adults also get goodie bags when they attend one our weekend soirees!!)

I cooked up two batches of this tasty liquor, which I then “aged” and bottled in glass flasks. Brilliant Daughter designed an appropriate label, and I dipped the lids in wax to give it an old-timey flair.

While this takes a few hours to make, the process was not only simple, it made my house smell like heaven. Apple cider and juice, spiced with cinnamon boiling away on the stove. Honestly, the aroma was just like a fresh-baked apple pie!

I spent a couple of hours researching different recipes. Finally boiled it down (pun intended) to the following, which I thought would have a strong enough apple flavor and be more like a liquor or liqueur than a wine. And boy was I right. This liquor is smooth, goes down mighty easily, and tastes just like an apple pie.

While you start with 151-proof grain alcohol, by the time you boil down the juice mixture and add it in, I estimate it is more like 70-proof.

Ingredients:

1 gallon apple cider
1 gallon apple juice
1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar
8 cinnamon sticks
1 liter 151-proof grain alcohol (aka Everclear)

Directions

In a large stock pot, combine the apple cider, apple juice, sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, and continue boiling until reduced by half (this takes several hours).

Allow to cool and add the grain alcohol. Allow to age for 30 days.

Pour into sterilized mason jars or flasks. Enjoy sparingly!