Ingredients:

  • 10 cups (2.4 Liters) Apple Cider (unfiltered, if possible)
  • 2 cups (475 ml) Apple Juice (no sugar added)
  • 1 cup (200 g) Granulated Sugar
  • 1 cup (200 g) Brown Sugar, packed
  • 6 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1-2 whole Nutmeg (or 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg – about 3g)
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) Ground Cloves
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) Ground Allspice
  • 1 ½ cups (approximately 2-3 medium) Apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji recommended)
  • 750 ml (about 3 cups) Spirit of Choice (Vodka, Everclear, or White Rum)

Instructions:

  1. In a large stockpot, combine apple cider, apple juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
  2. Add the chopped apples to the pot.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool completely. This can take several hours, or you can refrigerate it overnight.
  5. Once cooled, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth-lined colander to remove the solids. Discard the solids.
  6. Stir in the vodka, Everclear (use with caution!), or white rum. Adjust the amount to your preferred strength. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  7. Pour the Apple Pie Shine into sterilized bottles or jars.
  8. Serve immediately or store in a cool, dark place for up to 2-3 weeks (or longer if properly sealed and stored).