How to Make Strawberry Moonshine: 7 Easy Steps

Strawberries are a versatile fruit. We use them in desserts, smoothies, salads, jams, jellies, and god knows what. But did you ever wonder about fermenting strawberries and turning them into moonshine—strawberry moonshine?

If the thought of doing this has crossed your mind and you are not sure how to go about it, fret not. Vevor got your back! 

In today’s entry, we will break down the homemade strawberry moonshine process into manageable steps, detailing the equipment and ingredients you’ll need. That’s not all; we will also provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a strawberry moonshine at home and then share some bonus serving ideas to make your guest go wow!

So, grab your apron, gather your strawberries, and let’s get brewing!

Equipment Checklist: What You Need to Get Started

Before you begin making homemade strawberry moonshine, make sure that you have all the necessary equipment. 

To make strawberry moonshine, you will need the following equipment:

• Large Pot or Container for preparing the sugar mixture and infusing the strawberries.
• Stove for heating the sugar mixture.
• Blender for pureeing strawberries.
• Mason Jars or Bottles for storing the moonshine during the infusion process. We recommend picking an airtight and clean mason jar. 
• Fine Mesh Sieve or Cheesecloth for straining the infused moonshine and obtaining clear moonshine.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons for accurate measurement of sugar, lemon juice, water, etc. 
• Containers for Storage for storing the final moonshine. Mason Jars work fine but make sure they are of sterilized glass or stainless steel, with airtight seals. 
• Thermometer for monitoring the temperature during the distillation process.
• Hydrometer for gauging the alcohol content, ensuring it remains within safe limits.
• Alcohol Still for distillation. Pick an easy-to-use yet effective alcohol still such as VEVOR Alcohol Still.

These are the basic equipment needed to make and distill homemade strawberry moonshine. Once you have all the equipment, you just need to gather the ingredients, and you will be all set.  

The Essential Ingredients

The essential ingredients for making homemade strawberry moonshine are: 

• Strawberries–fresh and ripe strawberries are the key ingredient for the fruity flavor.  
• Sugar–used to sweeten the moonshine and aid in the fermentation process.
• Water–to dilute the alcohol and create the base for the moonshine.
• Lemon Juice–adds a citrusy balance to the sweetness of the strawberries.
• Moonshine–the base alcohol for the infusion.

These ingredients are the foundation for creating a delicious and flavorful strawberry moonshine. The specific proportions and additional ingredients may vary based on individual recipes and preferences. 

How to Make Strawberry Moonshine? Step-By-Step Guide

Once you have got all the equipment and ingredients in place, it’s time to start brewing your own moonshine. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a successful and enjoyable homemade strawberry moonshine:

Step 1: Prepare the sugar mixture

Pour some water into a large pot and put it on the stove. Next, add sugar and a little bit of fresh lemon juice to the solution. Make sure that the heat is on low; keep stirring the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. 

Step 2: Prepare the strawberries

While the sugar mixture is heating up, clean and hull the strawberries by removing the green, leafy part, and then cut the remaining strawberries into small pieces. Make sure that strawberries are fresh and ripe. Discard any spoiled ones, if any. You can also consider mashing strawberries with a potato masher. 

Step 3: Put strawberries and sugar mix in a mason jar

Once the sugar mixture is heated and the sugar has dissolved completely, let it cool down for a bit. Until then, add the prepared strawberries to a mason jar and then pour the sugar mix into it. Do not fill it completely; leave some room for moonshine. 

Step 4: Add moonshine to the jar

Add almost one-quarter of moonshine to the jar with the strawberries and sugar mixture and securely close the jar. 

Step 5: Flavors infusion 

Let the mixture infuse for a week or more, depending upon your preference. The longer you leave it, the better, but the minimum time should be at least a week. 

Step 6: Filtering out the moonshine

Ensuring that it has been over a week, whenever you need strawberry moonshine, you can go ahead and filter out the moonshine. Consider using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to strain the particles and gather your strawberry moonshine. 

Step 7: Make adjustments

Taste the moonshine and add sweetener if needed. You can also add more moonshine to make it stronger and water to dilute it. 

Remember to adjust the proportions and ingredients according to your taste preferences and the availability of certain ingredients. The fun lies in experimenting with it–feel free to experiment with the recipe to find the perfect combination of flavors that are pleasing to your taste buds.

Making Strawberry Moonshine with a Still

If you are stilling moonshine and would like to add a strawberry taste to it, you can consider adding flavors of your choice to the thumper keg. 

To add strawberry taste to the moonshine, add some strawberry extract to your strawberry mash and then add it to the thumper keg and begin the stilling process. If you do not have the strawberry extract, you can also consider adding some moonshine to the strawberry mash to thin it up and add it to the thumper keg. 

If you are looking to invest in alcohol still, check out VEVOR Alcohol Still. Like all VEVOR tools, it is tough yet highly affordable. It is a complete home brewing kit and contains everything, including a built-in thermometer, water pump, and a double thumper keg. Besides distilling alcohol, you can also use it for ethanol, whiskey, distilled water, brewing, essential oils, hydrosols, etc.

Enjoy Your Strawberry Moonshine!

Congratulations on successfully crafting your homemade strawberry moonshine! Now comes the most enjoyable part–savoring the fruits of your labor. Here are some creative serving suggestions and ideas to enhance your strawberry moonshine experience:

• Straight Up

The purest way to enjoy your strawberry moonshine is by sipping it neat. Allow the rich flavors to dance on your palate without any distractions.

• On the Rocks

For a slightly chilled experience, serve your moonshine over ice. The gradual dilution enhances the subtle nuances of the drink as it slowly unfolds. This is perfect for sipping slowly and enjoying every drop.

• Moonshine Cocktails

How about being a bit inventive? You can incorporate your strawberry moonshine into cocktails. Muddle mint leaves in a shaker and add a splash of lime juice and simple syrup. Top it off with strawberry moonshine and ice. Shake the mixture well, then strain it into a chilled glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a juicy strawberry. 

• Sparkling Surprise

Combine a shot with chilled champagne or sparkling water for a light and refreshing drink. The sparkle mingles with the strawberry sweetness, creating a delicate balance that’s perfect for warm evenings and lively gatherings.

• Infused Mixers

Elevate your moonshine experience by adding infused mixers. Try ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or even a splash of club soda for effervescence.

• Frozen Delights

Blend your strawberry moonshine with ice to create a frozen concoction, perfect for hot summer days. Garnish with a strawberry slice for an extra touch.

• Dessert Delight

Get creative with your culinary skills! Drizzle your moonshine over ice cream or sorbet for a boozy twist on summer desserts. Use it to flambé fruit skewers for a dramatic and delicious finale, or bake it into cakes or pies for a truly decadent treat. Remember, moderation is key when incorporating alcohol into desserts.

You can also consider simply serving your strawberry moonshine alongside desserts like cheesecake, chocolate, or fruit tarts. The sweet notes will complement and enhance the overall indulgence.

• Moonshine Jellies or Syrups

Experiment with turning your homemade strawberry moonshine into flavorful jellies or syrups. These can be used as toppings for desserts or mixed into beverages.

Remember, responsible consumption is key. Strawberry moonshine is meant to be enjoyed in moderation, sipped slowly to fully appreciate its complex flavors. 

Conclusion

Making homemade strawberry moonshine might seem daunting, especially if you are a beginner or just exploring distilling as a hobby. But worry not. Using the information in this guide, you can easily make your strawberry moonshine at home. Simply clean and hull fresh and ripe strawberries, slice them into small pieces, and put them in a mason jar. Next, prepare a sugar mixture and add it to the jar. Lastly, add some moonshine to the jar and close it up. Put it away and let the flavors infuse. The more you wait, the better. However, for good results, you need to wait for at least a week. 

When using a still, create a strawberry concoction by adding strawberry extract or mixing moonshine with strawberry mash and add it to the thumper keg before the distillation process begins. Adjust quantities based on personal taste for a customized strawberry-infused moonshine experience. Cheers to your delicious homemade strawberry moonshine!