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Owner of Clawhammer Supply
How To Make Pumpkin Pie "Moonshine"
Fall is upon us; the leaves are changing, pumpkins and pumpkins are on display. This time of year there are always quite a few "pumpkin pie moonshine" recipes being posted on the Internet, so we decided to try our hand at making one.
We searched until we found a good "base recipe" then madeit a few times, tweaking each roundto try and improve it. For example, the first thing we noticed was that the pumpkin pie drinkrecipe we found called for only 2 cups of alcohol. Since we're more or less professional drinkers, we made a couple modifications to the recipe and created two different versions.
Pumpkin pie not your thing? Check out the rest of our moonshine recipes.
Before we get started, a reminder: Distilling alcohol is illegal without a federal fuel alcohol or distilled spirit plant permit as well as relevant state permits. Our distillation equipment is designed for legal uses only and the information in this article is for educational purposes only. Please read our complete legal summary for more information on the legalities of distillation.
First, we modified the recipe to give it more of an alcohol kick. We also modified the spice content, pumpkin puree content, etc. Finally, we went rogue and used an actual pumpkin pie and some vodka to see if we could make an improvement while also dramatically simplifying the recipe (see version 2 below).
Overall, we're very happy with the results. We found both of these recipes were more suited for anafter dinner drink. They aren't reallysomething we would want to pass around the fire.
Version 1:Pumpkin Pie "Moonshine" (From Scratch)
Ingredients
- 1 big can pumpkin puree ( 100% pure pumpkin)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice mix
- 1 can (12 fl. oz.) of thawed frozen apple juice concentrate.
- 2 pints ofhigh proof alcohol - vodka, everclear, or moonshine (i.e. Ole Smokey)
Directions
In a blender we combined the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, 1 can of thawed frozen apple juice concentrate, and 2 pints of alcohol.
We blended until smooth and then poured the mixtureinto mason jars. We stored in the refrigerator until the tasting. For the tasting we also added whipped cream fora bit of sweetness and a great creamy mustache.
Version 2: (Food Hack) Real Pumpkin Pie Flavored Vodka *Updated Recipe Click Here*
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin pie
- 2 pints of vodka, corn whiskey, "moonshine" (ole smoky, etc.)*
Directions
We addedan entire pumpkin pie to a blender along with 2 pints of alcoholand blended the mixture until it was smooth. After the mixture was completely blended we poured the mixture into mason jars, sealed and refrigerated. We always add whipped creamas it really ties the drink together. This drink was absolutely incredible and was a great way to get a buzz while drinking desert.
Bonus Drink: Spicy Fall Whiskey
Fall is a great time of year for pumpkin drinks, but it's an even better time for spicy drinks. The weather is cooler so a bit of heat in the drinkis generally welcome. That's why we created our FireBomb Cinnamon Spice Whiskey kit. It's packed full of cinnamon for flavor but also contains 4 kinds of peppers and peppercorns to help warm you from the inside out. The amount of heat can be controlled by you. Take out the thai peppers and leave it sit for 12 hours and the heat will be slight, but perceptible. Leave the peppersin and let it sit for 12 hours and it'll be nice and warm but definitely not too hot for most people. Leave the peppers in and let it sit for 24 hours and it'll nice and spicy, but maybe not for everyone. Let it sit for 48 hours and you might need to call the fire department after drinking. Click here to check out our cinnamon spice whiskey kit.
*Remember, distillingalcohol at home (for consumption), otherwise know as "making moonshine," is illegal. For this reason, this recipe utilizes store bought Ole' Smokey.
Kyle Brown is the owner of Clawhammer Supply, a small scale distillation and brewing equipment company which he founded in 2009. His passion is teaching people about the many uses of distillation equipment as well as how to make beer at home. When he isn't brewing beer or writing about it, you can find him at his local gym or on the running trail.
FAQs
Truly it is one of the best flavors for moonshine. It is warm and comforting and perfect for the cool days of fall.
Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin pie mix? ›
Pumpkin pie filling will be labeled as pumpkin pie mix or pumpkin pie filling. Ingredients - Pumpkin puree made from scratch contains only pumpkin, but canned puree may contain a preservative like salt. Pumpkin pie filling contains additional ingredients like sugar, spices, and thickeners.
What temperature to cook mash for moonshine? ›
Here's how to make moonshine mash:
Pour 5 gallons of water into the pot and boil it to 165°F. Turn off heat and stir in flaked corn maize or chosen sugary grain. Stir for about 7 minutes. Stir for 30 seconds every 5 minutes until mash cools to 152°F.
How to make moonshine old fashioned? ›
Moonshine Old Fashioned Recipe
In a rocks glass, add sugar, water, bitters and muddle until partly dissolved. Stir in the moonshine. Add a large ice cube. Express the citrus peel around the rim of the glass and use it as garnish.
Will fruit rot in moonshine? ›
Moonshine has a longer shelf life than other simple spirits, lasting up to six months after opening. However, once a bottle of moonshine is opened, the shelf life is only 2-3 years. Does Moonshine with Fruit Go Bad? Moonshine that contains fruits does not go bad.
What makes moonshine so bad? ›
A major risk of drinking moonshine is methanol blindness. Detecting methanol upon the first step is impossible, and consuming more of it will simply get the person drunker. However, it's eventually metabolized as its toxic metabolite, formic acid, in the body, which can have an extremely harmful effect.
What happens if I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree? ›
Pumpkin pie filling shouldn't be used in place of pumpkin puree since the finished dish will be too sweet. You can always set the can aside to make a quick pumpkin pie another day.
Can you feed your dog canned pumpkin? ›
You can feed cooked or canned pumpkin to your dog—if it's 100% pumpkin with no added ingredients. Make sure you don't accidentally grab the canned pumpkin pie filling. That contains sugar, which isn't healthy for your pup, and usually nutmeg, which is toxic to dogs.
What is the difference between Libby's pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling? ›
Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks. Unlike pumpkin pie mix, canned pumpkin does not have any spices, sugars, or other additives. In many cases, the only ingredient is pumpkin.
How much moonshine should you get from 5 gallons of mash? ›
A 1 gallon run will yield 3-6 cups of alcohol. A 5 gallon run will yield 1-2 gallons of alcohol. A 8 gallon run will yield 1.5-3 gallons of alcohol. A 10 gallon run will yield 2-4 gallons of alcohol.
When we reach our desired temperature, we add our yeast, give our mixture a quick stir, and let it sit for 3-5 days. During this resting process, the yeast will do its thing by eating the sugars from the mash and create alcohol. Once we've fermented to the desired level we are targeting, we distill.
Does moonshine get smoother with age? ›
The sixth step is to age the moonshine.
To age the moonshine, you can store it in a barrel. This will give it a smooth, mellow flavor.
What is the easiest moonshine still to make? ›
Pot stills are relatively easy to use compared to reflux stills and are an excellent way of learning the basics of the distilling process. So, for me, the clear winner when it comes to the best moonshine still for beginners is the column pot still on a keg boiler.
What do moonshiners use to make their moonshine? ›
Often called, "white lightening," moonshine is technically a white whiskey. Although the majority of the grain used to make moonshine is corn, it typically is made using malted barley and rye as well. Moonshine actually got it's name because it rose to popularity during prohibition in the United States.
What is the best type of moonshine? ›
Best Moonshine Flavors in 2021: Midnight Moon Awards
- Midnight Moon Original Wins “Most Likely to Make Your Dreams Come True” ...
- Apple Pie Moonshine Wins “Most Likely to Make You Feel at Home” ...
- Cherry Moonshine Wins “Best Celebratory Drink” ...
- Peach Moonshine Wins “Most Likely to Live in Paradise”
Low in Calories: Pumpkin juice is low in calories and helps in weight loss it also improves metabolism. Rich in Nutrients: It's enriched with vitamins like vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin C, and B-complex (including B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin), including folate.
Does flavored moonshine taste good? ›
It turns out moonshine goes with a wide range of flavors, which is why we love to mix and match sweet, spicy, and decadent. However, most offerings fall into one of three categories: dessert, fruity, and candy. All three are delicious.
Do knucklehead pumpkins taste good? ›
While tastes and textures can vary considerably, some Knuckleheads are as tasty as their smooth orange counterparts. In general they have a sweet mild flavor although some may be watery. Smaller pumpkins of all kinds are usually the best for baking.
