Using Moonshine in Cocktails?
How to mix a drink with moonshine
Moonshine may be an unusual mixer but that just adds a layer of mystery to a creative cocktail. And who doesn’t want to be served something mysterious, like cocktails with moonshine? With it’s exciting, somewhat dangerous history, moonshine makes an intriguing addition to a drink.
Yet you might be surprised to learn that using moonshine in cocktails is really no different than blending with any other spirit.
RELATED: What is Absinthe? (It was the moonshine of its time)
What is moonshine?
You may be wondering what exactly moonshine is, other than some bootleg spirit bought in backrooms during prohibition. Moonshine is essentially un-aged whiskey. It’s a clear spirit, usually with an exceedingly high proof. And although it’s true that this drink was once a black market item, today’s distilleries are making some exciting versions of legal moonshine.
When you’re ready for your moonshine experience, look for distilleries including Buffalo Trace, Midnight Moon and Ole Smoky. (Here’s our review of Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine.)
If these brands aren’t readily available to you, just start by looking at your local retailer. You might be surprised by what you find. Even big retailers like Total Wine and More now carry moonshine.
Buy moonshine with Drizly and get it delivered to your door
Some pointers for using moonshine in cocktails
Moonshine authority Kyle Rutten recently gave us some pointers on moonshine drink recipes and even gave us a couple of recipes. He says that in addition to experimenting with using it like any other spirit, “Distilling suppliers now offer flavor infusions to really take moonshine cocktails to the next level.”
Make exciting moonshine cocktails
Kyle adds, “For example, I frequently work with Mile Hi Distilling. They offer essences in such aphrodisiac infusions as apricot, coconut rum, chocolate, almond and coffee.”
To make moonshine cocktails exciting. Rutten likes to use these essences to layer flavors and add complexity to his drinks. On the recipe card below, you’ll find one of his examples of a cocktail using moonshine with a bit of spice, a Spicy-shine-tini flavored with pineapple and Thai chile. (Moonshine seems to love being paired with citrus and tropical fruit juices like grapefruit soda, pineapple juice and lime.)
But don’t stop here! Rutten has many more ideas on what you can do with moonshine. Here’s a link to our post featuring Rutten’s Moonshine Mule recipe.
RELATED: Check out all of our cocktail recipes

Spicy-shine-tini Moonshine Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 Thai chile
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz moonshine
- 2 oz pineapple juice
Instructions
- For this one, deseed a Thai chili and place it in a shaker.
- Muddle the chili with 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.
- Next add ice, the moonshine and the pineapple juice. Shake and pour. (A martini glass is a must for this drink.)
Notes
Pin this Spicy-shine-tini moonshine drink recipe:
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