Instant Pot Root Beer 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 love the nostalgic flavor of root beer and enjoy a little adult twist, this Instant Pot Root Beer Moonshine is about to become your new favorite DIY drink. Combining the sweet, bold taste of root beer with the smooth kick of Everclear or vodka, this homemade moonshine is perfect for sipping, gifting, or wowing your friends at your next gathering.
Instant Pot Root Beer Moonshine
The beauty of this recipe is how easy it is to make using your Instant Pot. No complicated distilling process here—just a few simple steps to create a perfectly balanced drink that blends sweetness and spice. With the comforting flavors of vanilla and root beer extract, this moonshine feels like a trip down memory lane, but with a grown-up twist.
One sip of this deliciously smooth moonshine, and you’ll be hooked. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, why not try other fun flavors like cherry pie or apple cider moonshine? The possibilities are endless, and they make fantastic gifts for the holidays or special occasions. Let’s dive into how you can make this at home!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
- Nostalgic Flavor with a Kick: This recipe captures the classic, sweet taste of root beer and adds a bold, grown-up twist with Everclear or vodka.
- Super Easy to Make: Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can whip up a batch of homemade moonshine without any complicated steps. It’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned moonshine makers.
- Versatile Gift Idea: This root beer moonshine makes an amazing homemade gift. Pour it into a mason jar, add a decorative ribbon, and you have a thoughtful, unique present for friends and family.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, celebrating a holiday, or simply relaxing on the porch, this drink fits any vibe.
- Customizable: Prefer a stronger root beer flavor or a sweeter profile? This recipe is easy to adjust to suit your taste.
- Batch-Friendly: Make one batch or double it to ensure you’ve got plenty to share (or keep for yourself!).
Ingredients
- 10 cups Water
- 2 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 4 tablespoons Root Beer Extract
- 1 1/2 cups of Everclear Grain Alcohol or vodka
- Add water, granulated sugar, brown sugar and pure vanilla extract to your pot.
- 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
- Stir in the root beer extract.
- Let mixture cool completely (DO NOT PROCEED WITH ANY STEPS UNTIL MIXTURE IS ROOM TEMPERATURE TO COOL)
- Add in Everclear
- Fill a mason jar (also not a hot one, if you have sterilized it allow it to cool completely) with moonshine.
- Close the lid tightly
- Find yourself a porch and go enjoy a glass.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Instant Pot Root Beer Moonshine
- Use Quality Extracts: Opt for high-quality root beer and vanilla extracts for the best flavor. The richness of these ingredients makes all the difference.
- Dissolve the Sugars Fully: Stir the water and sugars thoroughly while on the sauté setting to ensure they dissolve completely before sealing the pot. This prevents any gritty texture in the final drink.
- Cool Completely Before Adding Alcohol: Never add Everclear to a hot mixture. The heat can affect the alcohol content and potentially cause safety issues. Allow the mixture to cool completely to room temperature first.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet moonshine, reduce the amount of granulated or brown sugar slightly. You can always taste and adjust after the mixture has cooled.
- Serve with Style: Pour over ice or mix with a splash of soda water for a fizzy kick. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry for a dessert-like treat.
- Label Your Jars: If gifting, create labels with the flavor and date of preparation. It adds a personal touch and keeps things organized.
- Store Properly: Keep your moonshine in a cool, dark place. It will stay fresh for several months when stored in airtight jars.
- Enjoy Responsibly: This drink is delicious but packs a punch. Sip it slowly and savor the flavor!
FAQs for Instant Pot Root Beer Moonshine
1. Can I use a different type of alcohol?
Yes! While Everclear is traditional for moonshine, you can substitute vodka or even white rum for a milder flavor profile.2. Do I have to use an Instant Pot?
No, but the Instant Pot simplifies the process. If you don’t have one, you can simmer the water, sugars, and vanilla on the stovetop, stirring until fully dissolved, before following the rest of the steps.3. Is it safe to add alcohol to a warm mixture?
No! Always let the mixture cool completely to room temperature before adding alcohol. Heat can alter the alcohol content and create safety concerns.4. How long will the moonshine last?
When stored in a clean, airtight container like a mason jar, it can last several months in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration can help extend its shelf life.5. Can I adjust the sweetness?
Absolutely! If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of sugar to your liking. You can always add more sweetness later if needed.6. Can I make this alcohol-free?
Yes! Simply omit the Everclear and enjoy the flavorful root beer syrup as a delicious non-alcoholic mixer or over ice cream.7. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double or even triple the recipe as long as your Instant Pot can accommodate the volume safely without exceeding the maximum fill line.8. What’s the best way to serve this?
Serve it chilled, over ice, or with a splash of soda water for a fizzy kick. It’s also great as a cocktail base or dessert topping.9. Can I give this as a gift?
Definitely! Pour the moonshine into decorative mason jars, label them with the flavor and date, and tie a ribbon around the lid for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Have you ever tried Root Beer moonshine?
LOVE MOONSHINE?! Try some other flavors
Instant Pot Apple Pie Moonshine
Instant Pot Cherry Pie Moonshine
Instant Pot Peach Pie Moonshine
Instant Pot Lemon Drop Moonshine
Instant Pot Root Beer Moonshine
Instant Pot Root Beer Moonshine is the tastiest moonshine go sip on this summer! Root beer moonshine will dress up any summer cookout or help you relax after a long day.
Ingredients
- 10 cups Water
- 2 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 4 tablespoons Root Beer Extract
- 1 1/2 cups of Everclear Grain Alcohol or vodka
Instructions
- Add water, granulated sugar, brown sugar and pure vanilla extract to your pot.
- 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
- Stir in the root beer extract.
- Let mixture cool completely (DO NOT PROCEED WITH ANY STEPS UNTIL MIXTURE IS ROOM TEMPERATURE TO COOL)
- Add in Everclear
- Fill a mason jar (also not a hot one, if you have sterilized it allow it to cool completely) with moonshine.
- Close the lid tightly
- Find yourself a porch and go enjoy a glass.
Notes
** This recipe will fill 6-7 pint mason jars
*** Adapted from Crock Pot Ladies Crock Pot Root Beer Moonshine
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
24Amount Per Serving: Calories: 118Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 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!
What happens if you put the Root Beer Extract in before you cook it for the 45 minutes?
You should be fine 🙂
NOT need photos…Where is the PRINT button. I do NOT need photos. Thanks
there is print button on the recipe card, it should print just the recipe and a tiny image
Do you think this recipe could be done with other flavors of syrup? My husband wants to make watermelon moonshine somehow.
Definitely!! I am experimenting now with a lemon drop moonshine 🙂
OMGOSH the marshmallow vodka sounds incredible!!! <3
Do you have to use Alcohol? Asking due to dietsry restrictions with Alchohol.
You can definitely skip the alcohol if you like.
Any chance this could be made with Stevia to eliminate some of the carbs for those of us on Keto?
My best guess is yes… i think you should be fine replacing the sugar with stevia.
So once you put them into to jars and close them, do you store them in the refrigerator or can you keep them in the pantry for upto 2yrs? And then 6mos after opening
You can keep them in the pantry for up to 2 years. and than yes, move to the fridge after opening and consume within 6 months.
Does this recipe have fizz? If not, how could it be added?
No fizz. You could add some seltzer or even some sprite to add some fizz while drinking.
Your picture shows that the rootbeer moonshine is dark in color. Mine is not. Did I do something wrong?
It may just be the brand extract possibly. Hopefully it tasted delicious.
I accidentally bought Rootbeer Concentrate instead of Extract. That was the difference in color. I didn’t want to risk wasting alcohol haha so I dumped the batch and started over. I used the Extract and it was dark in color and is absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Maybe I missed it, but we’re there instructions on the kid friendly version? I would love to try to make that with my 9 yr old.
Just omit the everclear 🙂
Can you use concentrate instead of extract?
Yes I am pretty sure that would be fine.
What happens if I accidentally added the root beer extract to the first set of ingredients so it is already in the instant pot during the 45 minute cook time? Oops! Do I need to start over?
No, i am so sorry I missed this comment until now. You hopefully were fine.
Mine did not come out dark but I didn’t use an insta pot but oh my god is it good!! This could get me in trouble Thank you for sharing!
Can you make this without the brown sugar?
Yes, you sure can.. I would try halving it and see how it tastes.
Has anyone done a test to see what the proof is of the final product?
When I made this using the 10 cups of water I couldn’t taste the alcohol at all. Other moonshine recipes I’ve seen only use 5 cups of water. Is 10 cups too much water?
You can add more everclear if you like. My recipes are lighter on the alcholol side since I rather you add more than not be able to take away.
Can I use rum instead of vodka or everclear? I don’t like those but love rum lol
Yes you can definitely use run Ummmm if you prefer. I bet it will be delicious too
Can you substitute root beer extract with sofa stream root beer liquid?
Hmmmmm I am not really sure if that would work. If you decide to try it, I would love to hear your results. 🙂
I’d rather just buy a bottle of vodka and mix it with root beer lol
How is it unsafe if you skip the instant pot step? You’re adding high proof alcohol. Nasty stuff isn’t going to live in that. I must be missing something here.
Who said it wasn’t safe if you skip the instant pot step? You can just never put heat on everclear
The soda stream root beer works fine in it. I couldn’t find the extract so I improvised and it turned out perfect.
can u drink the root beer moonshine right after making it or do i have to let ut set before drinking it at all?
You can drink it right away.