Method
- Add the apple cider, apple juice, cinnamon sticks, and sugar to your stock pot.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool until it is room temperature.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the cinnamon sticks from the mixture.
- Add the grain alcohol to the mixture.
- Pour or ladle the mixture into mason jars, seal the lid, and put in the fridge.
- Let the jarred moonshine meld for at least 1 week, shaking periodically (once per day is sufficient), before drinking.
This step is very important, because if you do not allow the mixture to cool, the heat can cause your alcohol to evaporate, which defeats the purpose of adding it.
The cinnamon sticks can either be discarded or they can be placed in the mason jars with your mixture (when you get to that step). Be aware that any mixture that is jarred with a cinnamon stick will have a VERY strong cinnamon flavor.
Be sure to let your mixture rest in the fridge for 1 week minimum or your drink will be overpowered by the strong alcohol flavor of the grain alcohol. This step allows all of the flavors to meld and the alcohol flavor to mellow out.
Notes
Like most alcohol, this keeps for a very long time. As long as you keep it refrigerated and tightly sealed, it should be good for up to 1 year or more.
