If you're looking to try your hand at DIY infused moonshine, we've got recipes that fit every kind of taste. This cherry pie moonshine recipe might be the best of all of them, though. It turns the sweet and tart cherry flavor up to 11 for the perfect cocktail mix, and it's pretty enough to be a gift to all your favorite people for any occasion.
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How To Make Cherry Moonshine
The first step is to make a cherry simple syrup. Combine fresh cherries, vanilla bean pods, cherry juice, brown sugar and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let things simmer for about five minutes of cook time. Strain out the solids and let it cool to room temperature. And here's a tip: If you want to make your own cherry vanilla Coke, sans alcohol, stop at this point and just use the syrup. Or you could pour it over ice cream. Or brownies. You get the idea. Sweet cherries were meant to be enjoyed in a drink.
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For the cherry pie moonshine, smash pitted cherries into a bowl and then add the cherry simple syrup and moonshine (or Everclear). Divide the mixture into mason jars and add a vanilla pod to each jar. Store the jars in a cool, dark place and wait impatiently. You need to give the flavor time to infuse, but this is a drink that gets better over time. To use the moonshine in a cocktail, combine the cherry pie moonshine and club soda in a glass and add crushed ice and cherries as a garnish.
In a hurry? Grab a mason jar of Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries. Maraschino cherries are mixed with grain alcohol for a tart twist on the Shirley Temple.
Cherry Pie Moonshine
Ingredients
Cherry Simple Syrup
- 1/2 lb cherries
- 2 vanilla bean pods, scraped
- 1/2 cup cherry juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Cherry Pie Moonshine
- 1/2 lb cherries, pitted
- 750 ML Everclear or plain moonshine
Cherry Pie Cocktail
- 4 oz Cherry Pie Moonshine
- 4 oz club soda
- Crushed ice
- Cherries, for garnish
Instructions
Cherry Simple Syrup
- Combine cherries, vanilla bean pods, cherry juice, brown sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Strain cherry pits and vanilla bean pods. Set aside pods. Cool.
Cherry Pie Moonshine
- Add 1/2 pound of pitted cherries to a large bowl. Smash with fork or the back of a wooden spoon. If you have muddling tools or a potato masher, either would work well.
- Add the moonshine and Cherry Simple Syrup to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Store in 8-ounce mason jars. Slice vanilla pods so there is a segment to place in each jar.
- Store in a cool, dark place, preferably your pantry.
Cherry Pie Cocktail
- Combine Cherry Pie Moonshine and club soda in a glass. Stir to combine.
- Add crushed ice and cherries for garnish, if desired.
