Homemade Cherry Pie Moonshine

Looking for a fun drink that’ll be the talk of your next gathering? Making moonshine at home might sound intimidating, but this cherry pie version has become my go-to recipe for parties and special occasions. Between rushing to get everything ready and making sure there’s enough to go around, having a signature drink that you can make ahead of time is a real game-changer.

This cherry pie moonshine recipe is everything you want in a homemade spirit: it’s sweet but not overpowering, easy to put together, and perfect for sharing with friends. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness and strength to match exactly what you’re looking for.

What Kind of Cherries Should I Use?

For moonshine infusions, you’ve got several good cherry options that’ll each bring something special to your drink. Fresh sweet cherries like Bing or Rainier work great during summer months and give the most natural flavor, while frozen cherries are a solid year-round alternative that won’t affect the final taste. If you’re going for a more tart profile, sour cherries (like Montmorency) can add an interesting kick to your moonshine. Just make sure to remove all the pits before using them – not only can they be dangerous, but they can also make your moonshine taste bitter. If you’re in a pinch, you can even use jarred cherries, though try to find ones packed in juice rather than syrup to avoid making your drink overly sweet.

Options for Substitutions

Let’s talk about what you can swap in this drink recipe while still keeping that great cherry flavor:

• Cherries: Fresh cherries are best, but you can use frozen cherries when fresh aren’t in season. In a pinch, you could even use canned cherries (just drain and reduce the added sugar by half since they’re usually packed in syrup).
• Cherry juice: If you can’t find plain cherry juice, you can use tart cherry juice or even cranberry-cherry juice blend. Just make sure it’s 100% juice, not a cocktail mix.
• Moonshine/Everclear: The alcohol base is flexible – vodka works great as a substitute, though it will give you a lower alcohol content. You could also try using white rum for a different flavor profile.
• Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar works best, but you can swap in raw sugar or even honey (use 3/4 cup honey instead of 1 cup sugar). Keep in mind that honey will add its own subtle flavor.
• Water: Water is pretty essential for this recipe to balance out the alcohol and sugar – I wouldn’t recommend substituting it.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making cherry pie moonshine is rushing the infusion process – letting the mixture steep for at least 2-3 weeks allows the cherry flavor to fully develop and creates a smoother, more balanced drink.

Temperature control is crucial during preparation – never heat the alcohol directly as it can create dangerous fumes and reduce alcohol content, instead combine your heated cherry-sugar mixture with the alcohol only after it has completely cooled to room temperature.

Storage mistakes can affect both safety and taste – always use clean, sterilized glass jars (avoid plastic containers which can leach chemicals), and store your moonshine in a cool, dark place to prevent the flavors from degrading.

For the best flavor extraction, make sure to pit and roughly chop the cherries before using them, and don’t forget to strain the finished product through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any fruit particles that could spoil over time.

What to Serve With Cherry Pie Moonshine?

Since this cherry pie moonshine packs quite a punch, it’s smart to serve it alongside some hearty snacks or appetizers. A cheese board with sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, and some salty crackers helps balance out the sweet cherry flavor and makes for great party food. I like to put out some mixed nuts or pretzels too – they’re perfect for munching while sipping this drink. For dessert lovers, serving this moonshine with a slice of actual cherry pie or vanilla ice cream creates a fun play on the drink’s flavor profile.

Storage Instructions

Keep: Your cherry pie moonshine needs to be stored in airtight, sterilized mason jars or bottles. Keep it in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cabinet – no need for refrigeration! When sealed properly, it can last up to 2 years, and the flavor actually gets better with time.

Age: While you can drink this moonshine right away, letting it age for 2-3 weeks really lets the flavors blend together nicely. Think of it like letting the cherries and moonshine get to know each other better – the longer they hang out, the smoother the taste becomes!

Serve: When you’re ready to enjoy your moonshine, give the jar a gentle shake to mix up any settled ingredients. Serve it chilled or over ice – a little goes a long way! Remember to label your jars with the date you made it, so you can keep track of aging time.

Preparation Time	10-20 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	3 days – 1 year (infusion)
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3500-4000
• Protein: 2-4 g
• Fat: 0-2 g
• Carbohydrates: 800-900 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound cherries
• 1/2 cup cherry juice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 750 ml moonshine (or substitute with everclear or vodka)
• 1/2 cup water

Step 1: Prepare the Simple Syrup

Begin by placing 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 1/2 cup of cherry juice into a saucepan over medium heat.

Stir occasionally as the sugar dissolves and the mixture transforms into a syrupy liquid.

Once the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth, pour it into a Mason jar and set aside to cool.

Step 2: Mash the Cherries

Place the cherries into a large bowl.

Using a potato masher, gently mash the cherries to release some of their juices, but don’t pulverize them completely.

This step helps enhance the cherry flavor throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Add the prepared simple syrup, additional cherry juice, and your choice of alcohol to the bowl of mashed cherries.

Mix well to ensure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Distribute the Mixture into Jars

Divide the mixture into individual jars, making sure that the cherries are distributed evenly and the liquid content fully submerges the cherries.

Proper submersion is crucial for the infusion process.

Step 5: Seal and Store the Jars

Seal the jars tightly and place them in a cool environment.

The infusion process improves with time, so the longer you wait, the better it will taste.

Ideally, let the mixture infuse for up to a year, but allow at least a minimum of 3 days for initial infusion.

Step 6: Strain and Serve

Once the desired infusion time has passed, strain the mixture using a strainer to filter out the cherry skins.

Feel free to enjoy the leftover skins as a treat!

Pour the infused liquid into serving glasses and enjoy your homemade cherry moonshine.