Peach moonshine is a harmonious blend of sweet, tart, and strong. It packs quite a punch while offering a deliciously fruity and refreshing experience. If it’s been on your list of spirits to try, then you’re in for a treat! We’ve tried out various peach moonshine recipes and found one sure to excite even the most fussy drinker.
The recipe we’re about to share is made from the ripest of peaches, fermented with Lavin K1V116, and aged using oak cubes to produce a refined, well-rounded spirit. Join us as we guide you through the process of creating the best peach moonshine you’ve ever tasted!
Table of Contents
What Is Peach Moonshine?
Peach moonshine is a delightful concoction made of ripe, juicy peaches. It’s made by infusing peaches and spices with alcohol or distilling fermented peaches into a refined, smooth, and fruity spirit.
What Does Peach Moonshine Taste Like?
Peach moonshine is a tasty drink that combines the sweetness of peaches with a subtle tang and the hefty kick of moonshine. Depending on the distiller’s technique, you might also pick up spicy and floral notes from the aging process or the addition of botanicals like cloves and cinnamon.
Checkout our other recipes, such as:
Peach Moonshine Recipe Variations
Option 1: Infused Peach Moonshine (a.k.a peach pie or peach cobbler moonshine)
This variation involves infusing peaches with alcohol, like Everclear. To this, you can add spices–cinnamon or nutmeg, to create a warm and complex drink.
Option 2: Authentic Distilled Peach Moonshine (a.k.a peach brandy)
If you enjoy a more refined experience, distilled peach moonshine, or peach brandy, is the way to go. The spirit is made by distilling fermented peaches to create a higher alcohol-content product. It’s smooth, intense with a warm, lingering finish.
Infused Vs Distilled–Which Is Best?
Infused moonshine captures the natural, unadulterated flavor of the fruit, while the distilled version offers a higher alcohol content with a more refined taste. We personally recommend distilled peach moonshine because it makes an excellent base for various cocktails while still imparting the essence of peaches.
How Long Does Peach Moonshine Last?
When properly stored–in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight–peach moonshine can last for up to a year. But, let’s be honest, once you taste it, it’s unlikely to last that long!
How To Make Easy Peach Pie Moonshine (No Distillation)
Ingredients
- 3 12 oz (355 ml) cans of peach concentrate
- 6 cups Everclear (or high-proof moonshine)
- 1g cinnamon
- 1g ginger
- 1g cloves
- 6 peaches, quartered
Equipment
- Muslin bag
- 1 large glass jar + 3 medium jars
Time
Preparation can take anywhere between 20-30 minutes. You can start enjoying the fruit of your labor within 3 days.
Instructions
- Pour the alcohol into the glass jar.
- Put all the ingredients except the peaches and peach concentrate into the muslin bag.
- Place the bag and peaches into the glass jar.
- Let it steep for up to 48 hours.
- Remove the muslin bag, leaving behind the peaches.
- Split the alcohol and peaches between the 3 jars.
- Top each jar with the peach concentrate.
- Enjoy.
How To Make Authentic Distilled Peach Moonshine (Peach Brandy)
What Defines Brandy?
Brandy is an alcoholic beverage made from distilled wine or a fermented fruit mash. It’s purified in pot stills through batch distillation, and the final product usually contains 35-60% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Ingredients
- 20 kg/44 Ib peaches, washed
- 2 kg/6 Ib sugar
- Yeast (preferably Lavin K1V116)
- Pectic enzyme
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Sterilized knife
- Cheesecloth
- Large fermenter
- Food processor stick or paint mixer
- Oak cubes (optional)
Time
It will take about 2 hours to cut and stone the peaches, and another 4-12 (including waiting for the enzyme to break down the fruit) hours to prepare the mash.
Instructions
- Cut and pit the peaches.
- Add them to the fermenter and pour enough water to cover the fruit.
- Add the enzyme according to the packaging instructions and crush the peaches with the food processor.
- Let it sit for 4-12 hours.
- Take the gravity reading, and, if necessary, add sugar to bring it up to 1.065.
- Stir well and pitch your yeast. Cover with the lid and attach the airlock.
- Let it ferment at 70°F (21°C) for 7-17 days.
- Siphon or strain into a clean bucket.
- Run your still. First, perform a stripping run.
- Perform a spirit run and make cuts.
Age your moonshine
To achieve a distinctly complex spirit, you can age your peach moonshine using oak inserts. Here’s how to age with inserts.
- Pour the moonshine into glass jars.
- Add 8 cubes into the jar.
- Seal with a coffee filter and keep the filter in place with an elastic.
- After two weeks, taste the spirit, strain, and store it in glass jars.
Tip: If you want a fruity and spicy boost in your brandy, you can mix things up a bit by adding cherry, mulberry, and maple inserts together with the French oak.
Tips And Tricks
- Choose ripe peaches for the best results.
- Clarify your wash before distilling:
- Experiment with different spices to enhance the flavor.
- Age your spirit for a more pronounced drink.
Final Thoughts
Crafting your own peach moonshine is a labor of love that rewards you with a truly unique and delicious spirit. Whether you prefer the fruity goodness of infused peach moonshine or the refined elegance of distilled peach brandy, the possibilities are endless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you ferment peaches for moonshine?
1. Cut and pit the peaches.
2. Add them to the fermenter and pour enough water to cover the fruit.
3. Add the enzyme according to the packaging instructions and crush the peaches with the food processor.
4. Let it sit for 4-12 hours.
5. Take the gravity reading, and, if necessary, add sugar to bring it up to 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.
Q. What is peach moonshine made of?
Peach moonshine primarily consists of peaches and alcohol. Depending on the method you choose, you can use neutral (like Everclear) or vodka for infused moonshine, or fermented and distilled peaches for peach moonshine (peach brandy).
Q. How long can peaches stay in moonshine?
For infused peach moonshine, it’s best to let the peaches soak in the alcohol for at least a week to infuse the flavors. Anything longer than that, they become pulpy and may be difficult to sieve.
Q. What alcohol is best to soak peaches in?
To infuse peaches, you can use high-proof grain alcohol or vodka. Everclear is a popular choice because it has high alcohol content, which helps to extract the flavors from the peaches.
Q. How strong is peach moonshine?
Infused peach moonshine typically ranges from 20% to 30% ABV, while distilled peach moonshine usually is around 40% to 60% ABV. The nice thing with making it yourself is that you can make it whatever proof you think tastes best!
