The Best Blueberry Moonshine Recipe (Try This)

Blueberry moonshine is a tasty concoction that combines the sweetness and tang of blueberries with the powerful kick of refined spirits. If you’ve been wanting to dip your fingers in this flavorful liquor, I’ll cover both infused and distilled variations so you can try both techniques. After all, there’s more than one way to achieve a perfect flavor profile. Let’s dive in! 

What is Blueberry Moonshine?

Blueberry moonshine is a flavorful twist to the traditional moonshine, infused or distilled with fresh blueberries. It combines the smoothness of moonshine with the natural sweetness and tanginess of the fruit. 

What Does Blueberry Moonshine Taste Like?

Blueberry moonshine is rich and sweet, and moonshine forward. It has a pleasant hint of tartness, creating a refreshing taste. The longer you let the berries steep in moonshine (if infusing) the more pronounced the flavors, leaning towards freshly picked blueberries. 

What Sort of Blueberries Work Best?

Fresh, ripe blueberries are the ideal choice. Look for plump, juicy berries for the best flavor and color infusion. They tend to have a more vibrant and intense flavor, and when making infused versions, the freshness imparts beautifully into the neutral spirit. 

Blueberry Moonshine Variations 

There are two main ways to make this tasty drink: infused or distilled. Here’s a closer look at both of these techniques. 

Infused Blueberry Moonshine (a.k.a blueberry pie or blueberry cobbler)

This variation involves macerating blueberries in moonshine. You can either mash the berries and steep them in the spirit or create a blueberry syrup, which you then add to the moonshine. The mixture is left to blend, resulting in a smooth and fruity spirit. For a fun, spicy twist, you can add cinnamon, nutmeg, or any spice you feel will complement the drink.

Distilled Blueberry Moonshine (a.k.a blueberry brandy)

Distilled blueberry moonshine takes the infusion process a step further by distilling a fermented blueberry wash. You’ll experience a more concentrated and refined blueberry flavor, similar to a blueberry brandy.

Infused vs. Distilled – Which Is Best?

As mentioned earlier, infused moonshine offers a more subtle blueberry flavor, but if you let the fruit steep longer, you’ll be presented with the refreshing taste of fresh berries. But we believe distilled moonshine is best! It intensifies the blueberry taste, creating a bolder and more concentrated flavor profile. 

How Long Does Blueberry Moonshine Last?

Blueberry moonshine, when stored properly–in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, can last indefinitely. 

How To Make Easy Blueberry Moonshine (No Distillation)

Follow the steps below to make this spirit using minimal ingredients (and time). 

Ingredients 

• 4 cups washed blueberries (if using frozen, make sure they thaw completely)
• 4 cups water 
• 4 cups Everclear 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 2 tsps peach schnapps (optional)

Equipment 

• Medium pot 
• Spoon 
• 2 Glass jars
• Cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve

Time 

It’ll take about 30 minutes to an hour to prepare the syrup and an additional hour or two for it to cool. 

Instructions 

1. Pour berries, water, and white sugar into the pot. 
2. Let the mixture boil on medium heat. Stir continuously until the syrup thickens. 
3. Remove from the heat and transfer to a glass bowl. Let it cool completely. 
4. Stir in the brown sugar until completely dissolved. 
5. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, if using.
6. Pour the alcohol into the glass jar and dilute it to your preferred ABV/Proof.
7. Add the blueberry syrup and cover with an airtight lid. 
8. Shake well and let it sit for 2 weeks.
9. Strain into a clean glass jar and seal tightly. Or enjoy it straight away! 

How to Make Authentic Distilled Blueberry Moonshine (Blueberry Brandy)

Ingredients

• 20 lbs/ 9kg washed blueberries (if using frozen, make sure they thaw completely)
• 5 lbs/2 kg white sugar
• 6 gallons/ 22 L water
• 1 Packet yeast
• Pectic enzyme

Equipment

• Strainer or Cheesecloth
• Fermenter
• Oak cubes (optional)
• Food processor stick or paint mixer
• Glass jars
• Still
• Clean bucket

Time 

It will take about 2 hours to prepare the wash and another 4-12 (including waiting for the enzyme to break down the fruit) hours to prepare the mash. 

Instructions

1. Pour the berries into the fermenter and add enough water to cover the blueberries.
2. Gently crush the fruit. 
3. Add the enzyme according to the packaging instructions and stir well.
4. Let the mixture sit for 4-12 hours
5. Take a gravity reading: Stir in the sugar until totally dissolved and take another gravity ready. It should read 1.065.
6. Stir well and pitch your yeast. Cover with the lid and attach the airlock. 

1. Let it ferment at 70°F (21°C) for 7-17 days.
2. Siphon or strain into a clean bucket.
3. Run your still. First, perform a stripping run. 
4. Perform a spirit run and make cuts.

Tips and Tricks to Get the Best Moonshine 

Use fresh blueberries

Using fresh blueberries enhances the taste and adds a satisfyingly sweet and tangy complexity to the final product.

Use a good quality yeast 

A good quality yeast will help you achieve a higher alcohol yield and produce a smoother-tasting spirit. Select one that’ll complement the flavors you’re looking to achieve. 

Clarify your wash before distilling 

Clarifying reduces the potential of any scorched substances during distillation. Even when distilling a sugar wash, best to clarify it because the yeast sediments can burn.

Always perform a stripping run 

Stripping runs help remove unwanted compounds from your products. Another reason we recommend you perform a stripping run is to:

• Produce a flavorful, smooth alcohol.
• Reduce the distillation time when you do a stripping run.

Don’t overfill the boiler!

Leaving some headspace in your boiler ensures any vapors that might foam have enough room to break down air bubbles, liquefy, and collapse to the bottom of the still. This prevents puking, which can contaminate the distillate. 

Final Thoughts

Crafting your own blueberry moonshine can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. You can create an infusion, which when leftover time comes alive with the sweetness of berries. You can also opt for a more refined, yet bold, distilled moonshine. This is an awesome recipe to try out because it allows you to add flavorings of your choice without compromising the quality of the spirit. 

How Do You Ferment Blueberries for Moonshine?

To ferment blueberries, you’ll need to create a mash by crushing the berries and mixing them with water and yeast. Here’s a quick guide.

1. Pour the berries into the fermenter and add enough water to cover the blueberries.
2. Gently crush the fruit. 
3. Add the enzyme according to the packaging instructions and stir well.
4. Let the mixture sit for 4-12 hours
5. Take a gravity reading: Stir in the sugar until totally dissolved and take another gravity ready. It should read 1.065.
6. Stir well and pitch your yeast. Cover with the lid and attach the airlock. 
7. Let it ferment at 70°F (21°C) for 7-17 days.

Can You Use Frozen Blueberries?

You can use frozen blueberries to make blueberry moonshine. When using frozen berries, thaw them completely before using them. 

How Long Can Blueberries Stay Soaking For?

Blueberries can stay soaking for 1-2 weeks. If you’re aiming for a more potent flavor, you can extend the soaking time up to a month.

What alcohol is best to soak blueberries in?

Everclear (neutral) is a popular choice because it has high alcohol content, which helps to extract the flavors from the blueberries. 

How strong is blueberry moonshine?

Infused blueberry moonshine ranges from 20% to 30% ABV, while the distilled version has around 40% to 60% ABV.