apple pie moonshine

It doesn't matter how many times I try to tell my husband that we are living in the South. He still doesn't believe me.

I'm an Iowa girl, who moved up to Wisconsin for college, then down to Indiana (which felt pretty southern at the time) before moving to Missouri, where I learned that people drink this thing called "sweet tea" and ate stuff called "grits."

It's the South, I'm telling you. 

Which is why it was only fitting that at this summer's farm party, we sipped on apple pie moonshine. 

Because we're in the South.

Even if my husband doesn't realize it. 

Before I bought the ingredients, I checked to make sure they were even legal in Missouri. Turns out you can't buy Everclear just anywhere. 

For this recipe, you'll need apple juice and apple cider and sugar and cinnamon sticks and a pound of brown sugar. 

And yes, you did read that correctly. It's one POUND of brown sugar. 

You start by placing all the ingredients in a stockpot, which you bring to a boil and stir. Once the liquid has cooled, in goes the alcohol. Finally, you put the moonshine in Mason jars and get ready to sit on the front porch with your dog, looking out over the Missouri landscape and lovin' life. 

Side note: We have a porch and a dog, if you need to borrow them. 

While our recipe came from someone who--well, let's just say probably got it from someone who actually owns a still in the woods of one of the Virginias--knows, we actually would add more alcohol or less apple liquid next time. 

The burn could have been just a bit stronger. 

The good news is that this recipe doesn't leave you feeling like you just sipped on jet fuel. It actually had an appley, cinnamony twinge. 

And the leftovers are great for splashing in hot drinks. 

Not that we tried that this winter or anything. 

So if the snowy days are getting long, and the thought of spring is far away, mix yourself up a batch of apple pie moonshine and pass around the jar. 

Talk about this summer, and how hot it'll be, how you'll need something to parch your thirst after a long day's work, and suddenly you'll find you've come full circle: all the way back to moonshine. 

Because that's what you do . . . when you live in the South. 

RECIPE: APPLE PIE MOONSHINE 

• 1 gallon apple juice
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 liter 190 proof alcohol (Evercleafr)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 pound brown sugar
• 10 cinnamon sticks

Place all ingredients--except for Everclear--into a stockpot and bring to a boil. Stir regularly. After they come to a boil, take off the heat and allow to fully cool. Once the liquid has reach room temperature, gradually stir in 1 liter of Everclear. Pour into Mason jars, and include one cinnamon stick (fresh, if you have them) in each jar. 

Find yourself a friend, a porch, a warm summer night, and you've got all the fixins to solve the world's problems.