Blackberry Moonshine Recipe: a Sip of the South That Melts Your Heart

The term moonshine, one of the symbols of a period in US history, is generally associated with the clandestine alcohol distilling activities of that era. But time has passed, and moonshine is no longer the code word for an underground world. Creating nostalgic vibes, moonshine has become a favorite for spirit gurus and gourmands.

The craftsmanship of moonshining encompasses a large variety of activities ranging from old-school distillation to simply putting together some ingredients. You can make your moonshine spirit using sugar and water through this craft. You can buy distillers and make your spirit from scratch. If you are looking for fast results, a store-bought neutral grain spirit will do most of the work, but you can still enjoy your homemade drink. Our blackberry moonshine recipe is for those who want to start with the alcohol base ready and move from there. Follow straightforward steps, wait a couple of days, and finally, you can enjoy this iconic spirit.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Blackberry Moonshine Recipe Instructions
• Substitutions
• Blackberry Moonshine Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• Blackberry Moonshine Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

1. Main

• Blackberry — 2 cups, washed and drained
• Granulated sugar — 1 cup
• Water — 1 cup
• Grain alcohol — 2 cups

2. For serving

• Ice cubes — 16 pcs., 4 per serving
• Fresh mint — 4 sprigs, 1 sprig per glass
• Fresh blackberry — 4 tsp., 1 tsp. per glass

Blackberry Moonshine Recipe Instructions

1. Divide the blackberries. Put 1 ½ cups into a mason jar.

2. In a saucepan, combine the remaining blackberries, water, and sugar. Heat the mixture on the stove on medium heat, while stirring occasionally.

3. When the syrup comes to a boil, decrease the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. While simmering, crush the blackberries in the saucepan with a masher.

4. Pour the syrup into the jar. Fill the top with grain alcohol. Secure the lid tightly. Shake the jar a few times and store it away from sunlight and heat sources. Let the mixture rest for at least three days. Remember to shake once or twice a day during the waiting period.

5. At the end of the waiting period, strain the liquid into another mason jar. Cover the lid and store it in the fridge.

6. For serving, place ice cubes in each glass. Put fresh blackberries over the cubes. Divide the cooled drink into serving glasses. Decorate each glass with fresh mint.

Substitutions

• Blackberries — Yes, the name of the recipe is suggestive but you can use another berry you already have. Cranberries, chokeberries, and raspberries can all substitute blackberries for this recipe.

Blackberry Moonshine Recipe Variations

• Smoothen it — Grain alcohol or neutral grain spirits contain varying degrees of alcohol. The more alcohol, the stronger the taste. Famous brands such as Everclear or Graves have varieties containing 95% alcohol by volume. 95% or 190-proof, is the strongest. There are alternatives with lesser degrees of alcohol. If 95% is too strong for your liking, opt for the softer ones.

• Make it citrusy — If you want your blackberry moonshine to be more fragrant, add the zest of one lemon, lime, or orange into the mixture. Add the zest to the jar with 1 ½ cups of blackberries. If you add citrus fruit to the mix, serve with the lemon/lime slice on the rim of the glass.

Equipment

• Measuring spoons and cups

• Saucepan

• Masher

• 2 mason jars

• Strainer

• Serving glasses

• Stove

Storage

• If you don’t open the jar, you can store blackberry moonshine in the kitchen cupboard for up to three years.

• When you open the lid, keep the drink in the fridge. You can store it in the refrigerator for about 3-4 months, again with a closed lid.

Pro Tips

• Drinking moonshine from a mason jar is the traditional way. To honor this tradition, you can serve blackberry moonshine in serving-size mason jars.

• You can make several refreshing cocktails using your blackberry moonshine as a base. Also, when it comes to mixing, you can always get creative and make your own cocktail.