Moonshine’s unique characteristics make it an exciting base for crafting creative cocktails! Let’s explore the best combinations and pairings to elevate this spirit. 🫙 Moonshine is known for its potent yet silky smooth taste, crafted from corn. Its rich history dates back to 18th century Scotland and Ireland, where immigrants introduced it to the United States, cleverly producing it under the cover of night to evade taxation – hence the name ‘moonshine.
‘ While many enjoy moonshine on its own, it has also evolved into a versatile foundation for various cocktails, from tangy margaritas to sophisticated martinis. For those looking to create remarkable moonshine-based drinks in the comfort of their own home, here’s a selection of recipes to get started.
Top 5 Recipe Picks
We’ve curated our top 5 picks from the extensive list below, so you don’t have to. These standout moonshine cocktails offer a taste of summer’s warmth, classic twists, and innovative flavors.
Our selection includes: the #4 Basil Peach Moonshine Cocktail, bursting with refreshing flavor; the #8 Apple Pie Moonshine Cocktail, bringing your favorite dessert to life in liquid form; the #12 Moonshine Mule, giving the Moscow Mule a fresh spin; the vibrant #16 Lavender Blackberry Moonshine; and finally, the visually stunning #20 Kahlúa Moonshine Martini. Each one is sure to quench your thirst and leave you wanting more.
Snacks That Go Well With Moonshine Cocktails
When it comes to balancing out the bold flavors of moonshine cocktails, a thoughtful selection of snacks can make all the difference. We’ve curated a list of our favorite pairing options to help you find the perfect match. Consider starting with some spicy nuts – the heat from almonds or mixed nuts can create a harmonious contrast with the drink. For a creamy counterpoint, try mild cheeses that temper the bold flavors of moonshine.
Sour pickles, such as cornichons or gherkins, make for great garnishes, while smoky jerky brings out the best in this type of cocktail. The light and crispy texture of popcorn provides an interesting contrast to the strong flavors, while dark chocolate’s subtle sweetness pairs delightfully with moonshine. Salty pretzels, like those from Dot’s Original, are another great option that complements the drink nicely.
Fresh fruit adds a refreshing and hydrating element, while protein-rich snacks like sausages (try Little Smokies or slices of kielbasa) offer a satisfying pairing. Finally, briny olives and savory deviled eggs provide a delectable sidecar to moonshine cocktails.
Best Moonshine Cocktails
Frozen Toasted Coconut Moonshine
Indulge in the tropical paradise of this unique cocktail, where the sweetness of coconut is perfectly balanced by a spirited kick. The added textural element of toasted coconut flakes rimming the glass provides a delightful crunch and visually stunning presentation. To craft this refreshing concoction, you’ll need moonshine, coconut milk, lime juice, ice, and fresh mint leaves.
Cherry Shine Summer Sipper
A delightful combination of flavors is achieved through the harmonious union of sweet-tart moonshine cherries, revitalizing mint, and zesty lemon. The crispness of seltzer water expertly balances the drink’s overall taste, making it a perfect choice for any gathering or casual get-together. With its refreshing essence, this sipper is sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Jam Cocktails: Strawberry + Moonshine
Summer’s sweetest sipper, this refreshing cocktail showcases the juicy essence of fresh strawberries in perfect harmony with homemade strawberry jam and a hint of moonshine. As the jam expertly dissolves the ice, you can expect this revitalizing drink to be served chilled to perfection.
Ingredients: A medley of flavors including strawberry jam, lemon juice, moonshine, luscious strawberries, and club soda come together in perfect balance.
Basil Peach Moonshine Cocktail
Sip on the Basil Peach Moonshine Cocktail at your next gathering, as its unique blend of peaches, basil, and moonshine is sure to delight your guests. The sweet and savory flavors meld together beautifully, with the peaches adding a refreshing touch and the basil providing a subtle herbal note. Meanwhile, the moonshine gives this cocktail its signature kick. To make it, simply combine peaches, basil, moonshine, ice, and of course more moonshine, and you’ll be ready to serve up a memorable drink.
Blackberry Moonshine Cocktail
Sip on this unique cocktail that showcases the bold flavors of moonshine. The refreshing drink is topped with a burst of fresh blackberries and a dash of cayenne pepper, offering a harmonious balance of tart, sweet, and spicy notes. To craft this concoction, simply combine moonshine, pineapple juice, club soda, and a handful of juicy blackberries, then garnish with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for added depth.
Key Lime Pie Moonshine Cocktail
Blending the tangy essence of key lime juice with the rich sweetness of vanilla simple syrup, this Key Lime Pie Moonshine Cocktail is elevated by the smooth, velvety finish of moonshine. A few slices of lime, artfully arranged as garnish, add a touch of sophistication to this delightful concoction. To craft this treat, simply combine moonshine, key lime juice, vanilla simple syrup, and ice in a shaker filled with your favorite spirit, then serve chilled.
Moonshine Margarita
The Moonshine Margarita is an innovative twist on the classic margarita cocktail. Although it doesn’t feature tequila as its base spirit, the drink still packs a flavor punch thanks to the subtle smokiness of the moonshine. The unique combination of lime juice, orange juice, sugar, and moonshine creates a refreshing and complex taste experience.
Apple Pie Moonshine Cocktail
Immerse yourself in the essence of autumn with this enchanting moonshine cocktail. As you gaze upon its rustic charm, adorned with crisp apple slices and a fragrant cinnamon stick, you’ll be transported to a cozy evening spent surrounded by the warmth and comfort of the season. The drink’s spiced flavor profile is reminiscent of a freshly baked apple pie, with notes of vanilla and a hint of sweetness from the simple syrup.
To craft this autumnal delight, combine apple cider, vanilla vodka, apple pie moonshine, and a touch of simple syrup, finishing it off with a crisp apple slice for garnish.
Huckleberry Hooch Moonshine Cocktail
What sets this cocktail apart is the unique combination of flavors courtesy of the huckleberry syrup. This ingredient brings a bold and tangy taste to the moonshine-based drink. The inclusion of fresh blueberries adds a delightful contrast between sweet and tart notes, while the moonshine itself provides a smooth and subtle kick. With a total of five ingredients – blueberries, moonshine, blueberry syrup, pineapple juice, and mint – this recipe is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Moonshine & Sage Cocktail
A harmonious blend of flavors comes together in this unique cocktail, where the smoothness of moonshine is elevated by the sweet and herbal notes of honey and sage syrup. The bitters add a subtle depth to the drink, creating a delightful balance that will leave you wanting more. To create this concoction, simply combine water, honey, sage, bitters, and moonshine – the perfect recipe for a memorable evening.
Smoky Mountain Sunrise With Ole Smoky Moonshine
This Tennessee Moonshine-based cocktail is infused with a smoky essence courtesy of Ole Smoky. The harmonious blend of pineapple juice, grenadine, and the spirit itself creates a visually appealing drink that’s as sweet-tart as it is tantalizing. The simple yet effective combination of ingredients includes Pineapple moonshine, pineapple juice, grenadine, lime, and a dash of chunky pineapple for added texture.
Moonshine Mule
The Moonshine Mule recipe is incredibly accessible, making it perfect for newcomers to the world of mixology. With just a handful of fundamental ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can craft this refreshing drink. The addition of moonshine lends an air of intrigue to each sip, elevating the overall experience.
Peachy Rainier Cherry Moonshine
Peachy Rainier Cherry Moonshine is an irresistible blend of flavors, combining the natural sweetness of fresh peaches and tartness of Rainier cherries with a hint of smoothness from moonshine. The addition of vanilla simple syrup takes this cocktail to the next level, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to satisfy any palate. To craft this delightful drink, you’ll need peaches, Rainier cherries, moonshine, and a touch of vanilla simple syrup.
Warm Spiked Apple Cider
Indulge in the warmth of this autumnal cocktail, crafted with the rich flavors of apple pie moonshine. To balance its natural sweetness, simply add a splash more apple cider to taste. Conversely, for an even stronger kick, infuse the drink with a bit more moonshine. The essential ingredients that bring this delightful concoction to life are a harmonious blend of apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and the star of the show – apple pie moonshine.
Thyme To Shine – A Moonshine Drink
Within the realm of craft cocktails lies the Thyme To Shine, a masterfully blended concoction that harmonizes fresh thyme with simple syrup’s subtle herbal undertones. The latter, infused with sugar, provides a nuanced foundation for the drink, which is elevated by the brightness of lemon juice and the creamy texture afforded by egg white.
The recipe itself features a combination of thyme-infused simple syrup, moonshine, lemon juice, orange, and egg white, all working together to create a truly well-balanced and flavorful drinking experience.
Lavender Blackberry Moonshine
A unique fusion of flavors awaits in this Lavender Blackberry Moonshine recipe, where fresh blackberries and the subtle charm of lavender unite to create a delightful blend of sweet, tart, and floral notes. As a bonus, the addition of moonshine elevates the experience for guests of all ages, making it an ideal choice for gatherings or special occasions.
The ingredients that bring this heavenly concoction together include dried lavender flowers, Monin blackberry syrup, high-quality moonshine, and agave nectar, providing a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave everyone wanting more.
Strawberry Rosemary Moonshine
Indulge in the enchanting Strawberry Rosemary Moonshine Cocktail, where sweet strawberries harmonize with subtle herbal notes of rosemary. This refreshing drink is crafted by muddling fresh strawberries, shaking them with ice, straining the mixture, and garnishing it with a fragrant rosemary sprig. The blend of ingredients includes succulent strawberries, vanilla-infused simple syrup, moonshine, ice, and water, combining to create a unique and alluring flavor profile.
Moonshine Mimosas
Transforming the traditional mimosa into a down-to-earth delight, this Moonshine Mimosas recipe puts a homespun spin on a classic cocktail by substituting moonshine for champagne. The result is a charming drink that’s as rustic as it is refreshing. Served in mason jars with a caramel rim and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, this unconventional twist on the mimosa adds a touch of whimsy to any gathering.
To make this unique concoction, you’ll need a blend of caramel apple dip, sugar, cinnamon, moonshine, and champagne.
Strawberry Salty Dog Moonshine
Imbue your summer soirees with a refreshing twist by combining the sweetness of fresh strawberries with the smoothness of moonshine in this one-of-a-kind cocktail recipe. The harmonious blend of vibrant flavors, both salty and sweet, makes it an irresistible choice for warm-weather celebrations. To create this delectable concoction, you’ll need just four ingredients: succulent strawberries, a squeeze of lemon juice, granulated sugar, and ice-cold water.
Kahlúa Moonshine Martini
Indulge in the harmonious union of homemade moonshine and Kahlúa’s luscious flavor profile in this unique martini recipe. The velvety texture of the moonshine is perfectly balanced by Kahlúa’s rich, sweet notes, resulting in a sophisticated cocktail that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your guests. To create this masterpiece, simply combine the two ingredients – Kahlúa coffee liqueur and moonshine.
What To Mix With Moonshine
When it comes to mixing your moonshine liquor, the possibilities are endless! Here’s a rundown of popular mixers that blend seamlessly with this versatile spirit: Ginger ale brings a spicy kick, while club soda adds effervescence without overpowering the taste. Tonic water provides a bitter-sweet contrast, and cola introduces sweet notes and caramel undertones. If you prefer something fruity, lemonade offers a tangy twist, while orange juice adds a bright and juicy flavor profile.
Pineapple juice brings tropical sweetness, cranberry juice provides tartness, and grapefruit juice enhances the natural flavors of moonshine. For a seasonal touch, apple cider warms with hints of spice. Peach nectar lends a smooth and fruity flavor, watermelon juice offers refreshing subtlety, sweet tea adds a sweet note, and coconut water imparts subtle sweetness and nutty notes. Finally, lime juice provides a zesty kick that complements moonshine’s natural flavors.
The bottom line
For centuries, moonshine has been revered for its unique flavor profile and adaptability. Whether you prefer to savor it on its own or mix it with other ingredients to create refreshing cocktails, there’s something special about this spirited drink. With so many possibilities, we encourage you to explore the world of moonshine concoctions and discover your new favorite drink. Here, we’ve curated a list of top-notch moonshine cocktails that showcase this potent spirit in all its glory.
