Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine
This post includes a recipe for alcohol. Drink responsibly. Sparkles to Sprinkles and it’s authors are not responsible for the actions of our readers should they choose to make this recipe and consume it. Please drink responsibly.
If you’re looking for a fun and festive drink to enjoy or gift during the holidays, Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine is the perfect choice! This easy-to-make recipe brings the flavors of fall into every sip, with a blend of apple juice, apple cider, cinnamon, and a kick of Everclear and caramel vodka. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or planning to give homemade gifts, this moonshine recipe will impress everyone who tries it. Best of all, it’s made right in your Instant Pot, making the process quicker and easier than ever.
Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine
One of the best things about this Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine is the balance of flavors—it’s sweet and spiced, with just the right amount of warmth from the cinnamon and pumpkin spice. The combination of caramel vodka and Everclear gives it a nice, smooth finish while still packing a punch. It’s great for sipping by the fire or for sharing with friends and family during holiday celebrations. Plus, it looks beautiful in mason jars, making it a thoughtful homemade gift idea.
With the holidays just around the corner, this recipe is a fantastic way to stock up on something special. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, but it also makes enough to fill 10-12 mason jars, meaning you’ll have plenty to go around. Whether you’re giving it as a gift or keeping it all to yourself (no judgment!), this Apple Pie Moonshine will quickly become a holiday favorite.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
There’s a lot to love about this Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine recipe! First, it’s incredibly easy to make, thanks to the Instant Pot, so you can have a batch ready in under an hour with minimal effort. The warm, spiced flavors of apple cider, cinnamon, and caramel vodka create a deliciously cozy drink that captures the essence of fall and the holiday season. Plus, it’s versatile—whether you’re sipping it at home or bottling it up in mason jars for gifting, it’s a festive treat that feels both homemade and special.
The fact that it makes a large batch is another bonus—you can share it with friends and family or keep some on hand for holiday gatherings. People will love how it tastes like a sweet, boozy version of apple pie, perfect for enjoying in the cooler months. And since it stores well in mason jars, it’s also a fun and thoughtful DIY gift idea that looks beautiful and festive with a simple ribbon or tag.
I searched high and low and did as much research as I could about moonshine. Since we are working with Everclear (grain alcohol) you have to be safe. You NEVER want to heat Everclear. Please NEVER heat the Everclear. Add the alcohol portion of this recipe after the moonshine has completely cooled.
Is Everclear Moonshine
So to make a legal moonshine, Everclear is the choice of alcohol! Here is why. Real moonshine has around 180-190 proof, which is around 85-95% pure alcohol depending on the batch. To be legal, Everclear has to be your alcohol, which can range anywhere from 150-190 proof. You will end up with a similar taste at the end of it.
How Long Will Apple Pie Moonshine Last
Since this is my first batch of moonshine (definitely will not be my last) I decided to turn to google for some advice on how to store our moonshine and how long can we expect it to last. Generally, they will last two years unopened and about six months after opening. They will generally last longer if you store them in the fridge after opening as well.
Tips & Tricks
- Cool it Down: Make sure the apple cider and juice mixture has completely cooled before adding the alcohol. Adding alcohol to a hot mixture will cause it to evaporate, which can impact both flavor and potency.
- Adjust the Sweetness: You can tweak the sugar levels to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter moonshine, add a bit more brown sugar or even drizzle in some honey for added richness.
- Alcohol Substitutions: If Everclear is too strong for your taste, you can substitute with vodka for a slightly lighter version. Feel free to get creative with flavored vodkas too—caramel, vanilla, or cinnamon vodka all work well with this recipe.
- Gift It!: For an extra special touch when gifting, add a cinnamon stick to each jar and tie a festive ribbon around the lid. It’s a perfect holiday gift that feels personal and homemade!
Give Apple Pie Moonshine As A Gift This Holiday Season
If you know someone who loves to sip on the harder drinks, consider grabbing a mason jar and pouring them some, and top with a bow. You can even get cute labels to decorate to show it is a gift. I know quite a few people in my life, that has everything, so a good old container of moonshine would be a nice gift option. You could even pair it with some nice mugs or glasses for them to pour it into.
I think many of you are as in love with the music in this video as I am. The song is Rattlesnake, by Jonny Houlihan.
FAQs
Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine
Ingredients
- 10-12 Pint Mason Jars (sterilized)
- 64 oz Apple Juice
- 64 oz Apple Cider
- 3/4 cup White Sugar
- 3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Everclear (Grain Alcohol) *
- 1 1/2 Cups Caramel Vodka (you can use another complimentary flavor) **
- 14 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 TSP Pumpkin Spice
Instructions
- Combine the apple cider and apple juice, by pouring it into your pot.
- Add in the white sugar, brown sugar & pumpkin pie spice.
- Add in 4 Cinnamon Sticks
- Turn on Saute feature to start warming the mixture.
- Once sugars are all dissolved, cover the pot and turn to sealing.
- Set your pot to manual high pressure for 45 minutes. Do a natural release
- Let mixture cool completely (DO NOT PROCEED WITH ANY STEPS UNTIL MIXTURE IS ROOM TEMPERATURE TO COOL)
- Add in Everclear
- Add in Vodka
- Remove cinnamon sticks that were used for cooking.
- Fill a mason jar (also not a hot one, if you have sterilized it allow it to cool completely) with moonshine and drop one cinnamon stick in.
- Close the lid tightly
- Put pretty ribbon on and give the gift of love this year
Notes
* ** If you would like a stronger moonshine, add some more of Everclear/grain alcohol or the vodka. Just please add responsibly, Everclear/grain alcohol does not play. 🙂
*you should have enough for aprx. 10-12 pint sized Mason jars
Thank you I Save A to Z for your delicious Apple Pie Moonshine recipe that was used as a guide to create this Instant Pot version.
This post includes a recipe for alcohol. Drink responsibly. Sparkles to Sprinkles and it's authors are not responsible for the actions of our readers should they choose to make this recipe and consume it. Please drink responsibly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
120Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 31Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
how long does this keep?
In your video you have a song playing in the background. Can you tell me who it is singing it and what’s the name of the song? We love the song and the singers voice.
I love it too!! The song is Rattlesnake, by Jonny Houlihan.
I’m obsessed with that song after hearing it on your video! I cannot find it anywhere to listen to (other than your video)!
I love the song as well. I have a link to Johnny’s Facebook page to hopefully help you track down a copy of it. 🙂
re-read the above and got my answer to the shelf life Thanks
Why can’t you add when it’s still warm or heat up afterwards?
If you use everclear (grain alcohol) it is very flammable.
Is this for 6qt or 8qt?
mine was done in an 8qt, I think you should be fine in a 6 qt.
Hello, I have made this before with a different recipe. After letting it cool and adding alcohol how long do you let it rest before opening? My recipe said to wait 4-6 weeks.
@Melissa, My 6 qt doesn’t quite fit all the cider. Probably a 1/2 C shy. FYI. I still made it and it worked fine. I just stopped at the fill line.
Can i just use regular vodka?
you sure can. I hope you love it!! This is definitely one of my favorite recipes.
So what would I do if the cinnamon sticks that I used completely broke down?? I mean there are still chunks but not whole by any means.
Just strain completely. I threw away my cinnamon sticks that I cooked with and replaced with new ones to store in the jars.
I know this is for an alcohol drink, but I also wonder if I could make it kid friendly? Would love your input on what I might need to add after cooking in instant pot. Thanks in advance
You sure can. I would omit the alcohol. Then I think I would serve with fresh apple slices.
Do you need to sterilize the mason jars?
It can not hurt but it is not mandatory.
When you say Pumpkin Spice, do you mean Pumpkin Pie Spice?
yes 🙂
I’m new to the instapot world. Do you need a certain model to do this? I have the newest version of the Duo-Nova, 6QT.
It will work in any one. you should be fine with a 6 quart as well, just make sure you are not going past the max fill line.
Will the mason jars seal?? If not, what effect will it have on the moonshine? Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Mine all sealed and has kept my moonshine fresh. I just stored it in my pantry on a dark shelf.
If I were to halve the recipe, are the Instant Pot timings still the same?
yes 🙂
Every recipe I’ve seen for moonshine in the instant pot or crockpot said to let it sit in the dark for approx 30 days before drinking, do I need to store with this recipe or is it okay to drink right off the bat?
yes it is safe to drink right away. It will get better with fine but it is delicious from the start. 🙂
I’m imagining a three pack or four pack for Christmas gifts of one of each of the moonshine flavors you have on this page, with a pretty ribbon and cute packaging, I think it would be adorable! Thanks for the recipes, can’t wait for your lemon drop flavor.
I LOVE your idea Kerri!! It sounds like an amazing gift. Try out lemon drop for sure, we just served it at a party yesterday and it was a huge hit. <3
I love this idea, but I don’t see any other recipes or variations – am I just missing them?!
I just made this last night! It is wonderful! My question is, could you put fresh apple slices in it? Would it store as well? I think they would be delicious !
I think you should be fine. The alcohol should act as the preservative so I think it will be delicious. 🙂
Where do you get the evergrain Alcohol?
My local liquor store sells it. I know in some states it is not sold. If you are not able to get the grain alcohol you can use all vodka. 🙂
Hi! What kind of apple juice and cider did you use? There are so many brands!
Whatever your favorite is. 🙂
I can’t wait to try this…. But I’m commenting because I went to high school with Jonny and I was thrilled to see you link to his music! So cool!
I LOVE Johnny’s music!!
Making this right now bit think I missed up! Do we turn off the IP once the 45 mins are up? Are will it depressurize with it still on?
Good morning made this last night and added the vodka this am and has a strong taste of apple cider and suggestions.
Made a batch. Would not put cinnamon sticks in jars. Also would cut cinnamon sticks by half in cooking. Otherwise I really thought it’s good.
Do you have to use an insta pot or can you do it in a crock pot
you can definitely do in the crock pot as well. See my response to a comment just above or below this for the details. 🙂
This is so yummy!!! Thank you for sharing. Do you happen to have a recipe for pineapple moonshine you would share?
Not yet but I have put it on my list of new flavors.
Looking forward to trying this. The only problem is Everclear is not available in Canada Can I substitute regular Vodka? Or would I have to get a special high alcohol % content of Vodka? Any special brands u would reccomend that we have in ? Thanks!
Yes you can absolutely substitute with vodka.
Since the vodka is lower proof you can add a bit more. Just base using a taste test. You don’t want an over powering vodka taste.
This recipe is awesome! It will be on my holiday table for the adults from now on! I only used 4 cinnamon sticks and it is plenty spicey. There was cinnamon in my pumpkin pie spice blend ( I use Penzey’s). And I used some whipped cream vodka because that’s what I had on hand. I can’t tell you how much we love this!
I made this last year as Christmas presents for friends and family! Wow! Everyone loved it! Definitely gonna have to make a lot more this year! It’s been a long year and need to spread some major cheer! Love love love your recipe!!!! I just added a bit more alcohol for my group.. lol! I need a pumpkin spice one! Please!! And it’s not even October and they’re asking for more! Well it’s super tasty and “fun” all year!!
I don’t have an instant pot 🙁 Can this be made in a crock pot or on the stove? If so, how?
Yes, add all the ingredients as done in the instant pot. Not adding the Everclear to anything hot. Cook it in your crock pot for a few hours and you can pick up the recipe from the spot after removing it from the heat and letting it cool.
Were can I find everclear ?
If it’s sold in your state, you would find it at a liquor store. Everclear is not sold legally e dry where so if it’s not available to you, just use vodka to replace
If it’s not hot how are the jars sealing? Thank you.
The Everclear will keep these shelf stable without needing to seal them.
I see you lost Apple cider as an ingredient. Can you be more specific? Are you meaning a cloudy apple juice or a hard cider? I don’t think American style Apple cider exists here… thanks!
Yes the cloudy apple juice. If available to you. If it’s not available you can just use apple juice.
Help. Is the Pumpkin Spice a teaspoon or tablespoon
Teaspoon
Can I use all apple cider instead of half apple juice?
Yes you sure can
I live in Canada and we can’t get everclear here. Do you have any suggestions on what I can use and the amts. I really want to try this recipe but don’t want it to flop. Thanks for any help.
You can use vodka instead. I would start with an equal amount and you can add more from there after taste testing it.
Hey thanks for this I just made it. Alas my ever clear substitute was on 28% and I put it in the fridge before adding it so maybe that messed it up?
Also you ask for 14 cinnamon sticks but then only add 4. Is that a typo?
@Ben Allan, I think it’s 4 sticks in the instant pot and the remaining sticks are reserved to add to each of the mason jars.
I made this last week, intending to give a jar to my sister for a Christmas gift exchange that didn’t happen. I just tasted it now (was letting it age ) and it’s delicious! I cut the recipe in half, used homemade apple pie spice instead of pumpkin and put in a little less Everclear than called for in the recipe. No other changes and none needed! Can’t wait to try some of the others.
This is really good! I followed the recipe exactly except for using a bit less Everclear. I made a half batch. It’s an easy recipe and makes a great gift. The friends who got a pint loved it!
I do a little different apple pie moon shine:
On day one:
1gallon fresh apple cider ( from your local orchard
3 whole cinnamon sticks
Cook in slo-cooker for 8 hours.
Let cool to room temperature.
The next morning, strain through fine strainer, or several layers of cheesecloth. Cinnamon sticks will not be used in finished product)
Have prepared, 6 quart canning jars (no need to sterilize).
Divide 1 750 ml bottle Everclear equally between the 6 jars
Divide cider equally between the prepared jars. Securely place lids and rings on jars.
Use original box from the jars to place jars, and store for about 1 month before using.
I make mine Thanksgiving weekend and they are ready for gift giving at Christmas! You have one month to decide how you want to decorate for giving
(I add a label, 6 disposable shot glasses on top of the jar, and secure with a circle of bridal netting [can be found in a craft store]
Store at room temp; DO NOT HEAT!
Suggest to drinkers not to drink more than 2-30ml shots, as this is very strong!
Hi!! I am so excited to try this. I am new to the mason jar world- how/what is the best way to sterilize? Thank you!!
Just wash the real good with soap n hot water. Because of the everclear in this you won’t be able to get a deal on them but the everclear will keep the shelf life on these for quite some time
@Melissa,
Do you heat up lids before you put on snd screw them down so they seal?
I did not since the Everclear will keep these shelf stable for about 2 years but that certainly is a good idea to give it a try. Just make sure you are keeping heat away from the liquid so no heating the entire jar but i think maybe heating the seals to soften them and potentially maybe get a decent seal would be extra protection.
I’m making this right now in my 6qt duo. It fills right to the max full line. I’m also using 100 proof vodka as everclear is not available in my state. Super excited to taste this!!
How do you get the jars to seal?
You can not officially seal them because you can not have heat near the Everclear. But the Everclear also keeps it shelf safe for quite some time. Generally, 2 years unopened and 6 months refrigerated once opened.
I bought fresh pressed apple juice for this recipe as well as a good quality apple cider. There was a lot and I mean a lot of apple sediment after being pressured. I strained it through cheese cloth but this did not remove all of the apple pulp. I think it would have be better if I had used plain Motts apple juice because it lacks pulp. My thought was it would be better if I used good quality ingredients but…..it’s moonshine using ever clear….the apple ingredients don’t need to be top shelf. It would have been better and less work to use plain cheap apple juice with no pulp.
Following this recipe what is the proof or alcohol by content. The taste is really good
Has anyone had an issue with it being extremely bitter? If so, how do I fix this?
Can you half this recipe? If so what is the cook time?
Yes you can and the cook time would be the same