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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Drinks » Cocktails and mocktails

    Cherry Moonshine for Cheaters (no still, less waiting!)

    Published: May 16, 2014 · Modified: Oct 25, 2019 by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Recipe Print

    Making moonshine from scratch requires lots of special equipment and lots of waiting. This shortcut cherry moonshine recipe is for impatient types like me!

    jar of cherry vanilla moonshine on a picnic table

    OK so here is the thing about moonshine: distilling your own booze from scratch is freaking awesome. It's also not super legal, and there are a lot of points where it can go wrong.

    Also, there are folks out there making kickass grain alcohols and vodkas, so you don't have to!

    Instead of starting from scratch, I grabbed a pint of quality booze and infused it. Boom! Cheater's moonshine!

    a shot glass of cherry moonshine

    Most of the infused moonshine recipes I've seen call for grain alcohol, fruit, and a ton of juice and sugar. This is just not my speed at all. A little sugar in a cocktail sometimes is fine, but super sugary drinks just don't sit well in my belly.

    To make my cherry moonshine, I used Tito's Handmade Vodka, which seems to be pretty widely available. I was able to buy some at the package store near my house.

    Tito's is a vegan vodka, and it's got a very mild flavor. That last part is key to making this cherry moonshine, because you want the cherry and vanilla flavors to shine, not the booze.

    a quart jar full of cheater's moonshine

    This is the moonshine after five days of steeping. It's bright red, and the cherry-vanilla taste was just what I was after at this point.

    To Strain, Or Not to Strain?

    Some moonshine recipes say to strain out the fruit and herbs, and others say to leave them in. You can decide whether to strain this recipe or not based on how quickly you think you'll drink your cherry moonshine.

    If you're planning to drink all of your moonshine within a few weeks, you don't need to worry about straining out the fruit. Strained, though, you can keep that infused booze in the fridge or freezer for years. It's totally your call!

    📖 Recipe

    Cherry Moonshine for Cheaters (no still, less waiting)

    Cherry Moonshine Recipe

    The 15 minutes prep time does not include the time that you'll need your moonshine to sit in the fridge, since that can vary so widely.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: cherry moonshine
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 117kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • 2 vanilla bean pods - sliced in half lengthwise
    • 16 ounce bag of frozen sweet cherries
    • 1 pint good vodka or grain alcohol

    Instructions

    • Use a small spoon to scrape the seeds from your vanilla beans into a quart-sized mason jar, then drop the beans in there too.
    • Dump your cherries into the same jar, top off with the grain alcohol, and give the whole thing a good shake.
    • Stick it into the refrigerator for at 3-6 days, shaking once a day. You can serve this up after a few days, or wait longer to let the cherry flavor get even stronger. I liked how it looked and tasted after 5 days of steeping.
    • If you’re not straining: Store your cherry moonshine in the fridge. It will last 2-3 weeks.
    • If you are straining: Once your cherry moonshine is as strong as you want it to be, strain it into a forever container and store in the fridge or freezer. This sucker will last for years!

    Equipment

    • quart-size mason jar

    Notes

    If you’re planning to drink all of your moonshine within a few weeks, you don’t need to worry about straining out the fruit. Strained, though, you can keep that infused booze in the fridge or freezer for years. It’s totally your call!

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Cherry Moonshine Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    117
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    0
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    0
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.02
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.02
    g
    Sodium
     
    0.4
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    84
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    6
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    5
    g
    6
    %
    Protein
     
    0.4
    g
    1
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    24
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    3
    mg
    4
    %
    Calcium
     
    5
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    0.1
    mg
    1
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Wayne Taylor

      June 23, 2023 at 10:25 pm

      5 stars
      my wife has been talking about this for years she decided to do it . we pluck the stems and pitted the cherries be hand using a metal straw to push the pits through. she bought 190 proof everclear to infuse with and I had to ask what ever where you thinking. so in to are Galen jar when are cherry's and 1.75 L of everclear no surgar yet .she also add some tart cher juice , but I think it's going to need sugar .It has sat 3 to 4 weeks,is it too late to put in sugar?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        June 24, 2023 at 11:29 am

        Never too late to add sugar! Just let it come to room temperature, add the sugar, and shake/stir until it dissolves. You may be able to add the sugar to the cold mixture, but it will dissolve most easily at room temp.

        Reply
    2. Donna S

      July 25, 2021 at 3:54 pm

      I'm going to try this! Do you think this would work with blackberries, too? Would you still add the vanilla?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 03, 2021 at 2:15 pm

        Ooh blackberries sound lovely! I'm feeling ambivalent about the vanilla. It could be good, but it's not the natural combo that cherry-vanilla is. For blackberry, I'm wondering if adding lime juice, to taste, after it's done steeping would be better? You may want to sweeten it, to taste, too, since blackberries tend to be more tart than cherries.

        Reply
    3. Rochelle [email protected]

      January 07, 2021 at 12:27 am

      Thanks again for your reply. I've finally made up my mind.... Well pretty much. Going to add red hots and about a tsp of vanilla. Decided to use rum with a healthy splash of everclear. The caramel one I'd like to add pineapple and coconut. Should I use a sweet shredded coconut(how much) then strain later? Ok last but not least, if I keep them for about a week refrigerating, shaking, etc. Is it going to be ok to send them through the mail? It takes about 3 to 5 days to get there.
      P. S. How much red hots, pineapple, and coconut?
      Thank you very much!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 07, 2021 at 12:52 pm

        Hey! This sounds very fun! I'd definitely strain out the coconut. That texture might not be fun. As far as amounts, it's hard to say! I haven't tested with those ingredients. I'd probably start with a handful of each? But I am fully guessing!

        Reply
        • Rochelle

          January 11, 2021 at 2:14 am

          5 stars
          I'm so sorry to bug you, but you never mentioned whether it will be ok to send through mail since it won't be refrigerated for. 3-5 days. I'd like to keep the cherries and red hots inside. I do have freezer packs if that would be ok. Thanks again.

          Reply
          • Becky Striepe

            January 12, 2021 at 8:39 am

            Ooh that is a good question! I'd definitely recommend keeping it cold, especially if you're leaving the fruit in. Could you overnight it? I know that is pricey!

            Reply
      • Granny Jean

        October 22, 2022 at 11:37 pm

        You did not ask me, but I do not think an individual can ship liquor or liquid with USPS. You might check with them first and also UPS.

        Reply
    4. Jeff Jones

      November 19, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      So is this made using pint or quart size jars?? Sorry, just confused.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 20, 2020 at 8:51 am

        You use a quart jar.

        Reply
    5. Debi

      August 02, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Can i use vanilla flavoring? If so how much?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 03, 2020 at 9:48 am

        I haven't tested it with vanilla flavoring, so it would be hard to say. I'd hate to guess and be wrong!

        Reply
    6. Darryl(Hog & Heifer BBQ)

      June 07, 2020 at 9:34 am

      Can you use fresh cherries?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        June 07, 2020 at 4:14 pm

        Sure! It may need longer to steep, since frozen ones give off so much juice as the defrost.

        Reply
    7. Charlie

      March 28, 2020 at 6:45 am

      Hello, I have 3 questions.
      Would this cherry infused vodka turn out stronger in alcohol percentage or is this strictly for flavor? If I left it in the fridge longer, would it be stronger over time? Also, how strong are the cherries? ? Thanks, it definitely looks yummy!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 29, 2020 at 12:27 pm

        The cherries are strictly for flavor. The flavor will definitely get stronger with time! I'd just taste it every day until you get the flavor you're after. I can't wait to hear what you end up doing, timewise!

        Reply
    8. Zach P.

      March 04, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      I know this may be a dumb question but if you strain it, do you leave the cherries in or out? Lol

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 05, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        Not dumb at all! If you strain it, you can discard the cherries.

        Reply
        • Rhino

          June 20, 2020 at 1:09 pm

          5 stars
          Don’t strain the fruit ever. Eat it very potent don’t waste lol

          Reply
          • Becky Striepe

            June 20, 2020 at 4:16 pm

            I like how you think!

            Reply
          • Rochelle

            January 05, 2021 at 11:41 pm

            Unfortunately I can't drink anymore ?, but I do know a good cocktail when I see one and yours look amazing. I'm going to try 2 and send them to my aunt and uncle on the west coast. My question is...what is more popular? Vodka or everclear? Don't want it to taste like gasoline. I know that she likes rum because of pina coladas. The vodka sounds good to me, but I'm sure I'd have liked the everclear. The 2 I'm making are the caramel (not apple) and the cherry with "red hots" or "hot tamales"?!?!?! Sorry, got a bit breathy. Thanks in advance.

            Reply
            • Becky Striepe

              January 06, 2021 at 10:52 am

              I love your enthusiasm! I'd probably go with vodka. You actually might do this with rum, though. I bet it would be delicious!

            • Granny Jean

              October 22, 2022 at 11:58 pm

              5 stars
              Check with USPS and UPS before you make something you can not ship, since you do not drink.
              1. Because I think they do not accept liquid.
              2. They do not know the age of the recipient, so that is my thinking on liquor.

    9. Richie

      January 03, 2020 at 9:32 pm

      Can I use maraschino cherries

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 04, 2020 at 12:42 pm

        I wouldn't. They have a different flavor, and I think it might turn out terribly. :(

        Reply
    10. Caroline

      December 17, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Can you just make it with cherry juice?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 17, 2019 at 6:31 pm

        I haven't tried this, so I'm not sure how it would work, ratio- or taste-wise.

        Reply
    11. Heather B.

      October 25, 2019 at 9:59 am

      I can’t imagine fitting a pound of frozen sweet cherries into a pint jar. I’m thinking maybe a quart jar?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2019 at 10:01 am

        Oh my gosh, I'm so glad that you said something. It is a quart jar! I am just so used to typing "pint jar" that my brain swapped it without me noticing. I'm editing the post now to reflect that it's a quart. Thank you!!

        Reply
    12. Jesse

      March 14, 2019 at 9:44 am

      Specially, what did you use for grain alcohol? Or at least how strong was yours?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 14, 2019 at 12:57 pm

        I used Everclear.

        Reply
    13. Conner

      January 02, 2019 at 8:16 am

      I am so happy to know that there are always other shiners out there.

      Now, if I do wanna keep it for years, am I supposed to seal the jars in a pot of boiling water or are they okay as they are?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 02, 2019 at 9:16 am

        Ooh that's a good question, and I'm not entirely certain, since I've never had a jar stay full for that long! lol

        Reply
    14. Norma Brady

      September 12, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      What size mason jar do I use? Thanks

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        September 13, 2018 at 8:58 am

        A pint is a good size for this.

        Reply
    15. :)

      September 27, 2015 at 7:54 am

      If i get a bottle of vodka from the store..I won't need yeast right??

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        September 27, 2015 at 7:59 am

        Right!

        Reply
    16. Bertha Speard

      November 19, 2014 at 8:16 pm

      Great recipe

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        November 19, 2014 at 8:38 pm

        Thank you! It's such a treat to have a jar of this in the fridge.

        Reply
    17. Hannah

      May 17, 2014 at 11:09 am

      Whoa yum! We used to make limoncello (and pineapplecelllo), but it takes forever. This sounds waaaay easier and super yummy.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        May 17, 2014 at 11:14 am

        Woah, pineapplecello sounds super intriguing!

        Reply
    18. Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill

      May 16, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      Umm.... So freaking awesome! Doing this too! I always love your blog, but this week you've had genius recipes and crafts! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        May 16, 2014 at 4:45 pm

        Aw thank you! In working on a float recipe with this for next week. It's nice with cola!

        Reply

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    About Me

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    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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