Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine

Homemade Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine. Serve it warm, and it’s like a hard cider!

Alright, y’all, it’s officially fall, and you know what that means—pumpkin everything is about to make a grand entrance. While everyone is out there sipping pumpkin lattes, let’s kick things up a notch and get a little more… festive! Enter: Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine. It’s like fall in a jar with a grown-up twist. Now don’t let the word “moonshine” scare you; this is smooth, flavorful, and perfect for sipping by the fire or bottling up as gifts.

Let’s get into it!

 

How to Make Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin purée (not pie filling!)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups apple cider
• 2 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened)
• 1 cup pumpkin spice flavored vodka (or plain vodka if you’re not feeling too spicy)
• 2 cups Everclear or your favorite high-proof grain alcohol

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Base

1. In a large pot, combine the pumpkin purée, cranberries, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
2. Pour in the apple cider and cranberry juice. Stir well and bring it to a boil over medium heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. This is where all those fall flavors start to come together in harmony—your kitchen is gonna smell like a slice of heaven!

Step 2: Add the Alcohol

1. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool completely. You don’t want to add the alcohol while it’s hot because… well, that could ruin your moonshine and we don’t waste alcohol in this house!
2. Once cooled, stir in the pumpkin spice vodka and Everclear.

Step 3: Strain

1. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl. This will catch all the solid bits from the pumpkin and cranberries, leaving you with a smooth, silky liquid.

Step 4: Bottle It Up

1. Carefully pour your moonshine into clean, airtight mason jars or bottles. You can keep this beauty in the fridge for up to 3 months, but something tells me it won’t last that long!

Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine Tips and Tricks

• Mix it up! If you’re not a fan of pumpkin spice vodka, you can totally use plain vodka or even swap it out for bourbon for a deeper, richer flavor.
• Cranberry Love: Fresh cranberries add a tartness that balances out the sweetness, but if you can’t find fresh ones, frozen will do just fine. Just thaw them a bit before tossing them in.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve this moonshine over ice with a splash of club soda, or get fancy and rim your glasses with cinnamon sugar for a little extra oomph!
• Gifting: This moonshine makes for the perfect fall gift. Tie a cute tag around a mason jar with twine, and boom—you’ve got yourself a homemade gift that’ll leave everyone impressed.
• Make it Your Own: Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste. Love nutmeg? Add a little more. Hate cloves? Dial it back. It’s all about making it your signature moonshine.

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Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine Recipe

This Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine is not just a drink, it’s a vibe! It’s everything we love about fall wrapped up in one delicious jar. Whether you’re cozying up in front of a bonfire or just enjoying a quiet night in, this moonshine will warm you up from the inside out. Plus, it makes your house smell amazing while it’s brewing! So grab your jars, start brewing, and let’s sip into the season together.

If you enjoyed this Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine, try my other adult beverage recipes!

Pumpkin Latte Jello Shot

Island Crush Frozen Margarita

Cherry Limeade

Mrs. Claus Cocktail

Print this recipe below

Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine

This pumpkin cranberry moonshine makes a delicious adults-only fall cocktail. Serve hot OR cold.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Beverage

Cuisine American

Keyword Pumpkin Cranberry Moonshine

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 15 oz can of pumpkin purée not pie filling!
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups apple cider
• 2 cups cranberry juice unsweetened
• 1 cup pumpkin spice flavored vodka or plain vodka if you’re not feeling too spicy
• 2 cups Everclear or your favorite high-proof grain alcohol

Instructions

• In a large pot, combine the pumpkin purée, cranberries, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
• Pour in the apple cider and cranberry juice. Stir well and bring it to a boil over medium heat.
• Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. This is where all those fall flavors start to come together in harmony—your kitchen is gonna smell like a slice of heaven!
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool completely. You don’t want to add the alcohol while it’s hot because… well, that could ruin your moonshine and we don’t waste alcohol in this house!
• Once cooled, stir in the pumpkin spice vodka and Everclear.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl. This will catch all the solid bits from the pumpkin and cranberries, leaving you with a smooth, silky liquid.
• Carefully pour your moonshine into clean, airtight mason jars or bottles. You can keep this beauty in the fridge for up to 3 months, but something tells me it won’t last that long!

Last Step! If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!

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Recipe by: I Heart Recipes

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