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Fruit Moonshine Mash

A forgiving and customizable homemade fruit moonshine mash recipe that yields a smooth, fruit-forward spirit.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 21 days
Total Time 21 days 30 minutes
Servings: 1 liter
Course: Spirits and Liqueurs
Cuisine: American Homesteading
Calories: 110

Ingredients
  

Main
  • Fresh fruit peaches, apples, berries, or stone fruits: 5 to 6 pounds, chopped or crushed
  • Granulated sugar: 3 to 4 pounds depending on fruit sweetness
  • Water: 1 gallon filtered or distilled
  • Champagne yeast or turbo yeast: 1 packet 5 grams
  • Yeast nutrient: 1 teaspoon
  • Acid blend citric acid or tartaric acid: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Pectic enzyme optional but recommended: 1/2 teaspoon

Equipment

  • Large glass carboy or fermentation vessel with airlock (5 to 10 liter capacity)
  • Rubber tubing for siphoning (food-grade silicone, 3/8 inch diameter)
  • Hydrometer to measure sugar content and fermentation progress
  • Thermometer to monitor fermentation temperature
  • Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer for filtering pulp
  • Large stainless steel pot for heating and mixing
  • Wooden spoon or long stirring rod
  • Glass bottles for storage with tight-sealing caps
  • Funnel for transferring liquid
  • Scale for precise ingredient measurement

Method
 

  1. Sanitize every piece of equipment that will touch the mash using hot water or a commercial sanitizer before starting.
  2. Chop or crush 5 to 6 pounds of fresh fruit into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces, discarding any damaged parts.
  3. Heat 1 gallon of filtered water to 170°F (77°C) in a large pot, then remove from heat and add the prepared fruit.
  4. Let the mixture cool to room temperature (70°F/21°C), then stir in 3 to 4 pounds of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon yeast nutrient, 1/2 teaspoon acid blend, and 1/2 teaspoon pectic enzyme.
  5. Measure the specific gravity of the cooled mixture with a hydrometer and record the starting gravity.
  6. Rehydrate the yeast in warm water at around 70°F (21°C) for 15 minutes, then pitch it into the mash.
  7. Transfer the mash to the sanitized carboy, leaving 2 to 3 inches of headspace, install the airlock half-filled with water, and let ferment.
  8. Allow primary fermentation at 65–75°F (18–24°C) for 3 to 4 weeks, monitoring airlock activity until bubbling stops.
  9. Once fermentation is complete, use sanitized tubing to rack clear liquid off sediment into a clean carboy.
  10. Let the racked spirit rest undisturbed for 5 to 7 days to allow remaining particles to settle.
  11. Filter the clear moonshine through cheesecloth or a coffee filter into sterilized glass bottles and seal tightly.
  12. Age the bottled moonshine in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks before serving for best flavor.

Notes

Moonshine tastes best served ice-cold or mixed in cocktails after aging for at least two weeks.