10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (2024)

If you buy an item via links on this page, we may earn a commission. Our editorial content is not influenced by commissions. Read the full disclosure.

Do you find the art of moonshining interesting? Have you ever wondered how moonshiners make their stills and delicious products?

Well, I’m going to bring you some of the internet’s options for moonshine still plans, ideas, and also a few moonshine recipes.

However, it’s important to remember, you must have a license to make moonshine. If you don’t, you could have serious legal troubles.If incorrectly prepared, it could be poisonous, so please see this article for informational purposes only.

With this in mind, here’s the information you’ve been looking for when admiring the art of moonshining:

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (1)

1. How Moonshine Works

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (2)

This is an informative article that gives you all the in’s and out’s of how to make moonshine and how the process works.

Though the graphic isn’t as detailed as some plans, it’ll give you a general idea of how a still can be put together to create the product.

2. Historical Moonshine Stills

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (3)

Are you into the history of moonshining? You’ll find this article interesting. It shows you historical moonshine stills for different types of liquors.

It’s fascinating to see what the old-timers used to make their product. You can also see how the stills varied based upon whether you were making whiskey or vodka, rum, or gin. There’s a great deal of know-how that had to go into the process for producing each.

3. Popcorn Sutton’s Moonshine Still

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (4)

If you’ve watched the show ‘Moonshiners’, you’ve probably heard the name,Popcorn Sutton. He was a backwoods celebrity known for the fantastic moonshine he created for many years.

Though this still doesn’t come with plans, you can have an up-close look at how he designed this still. The still pictured has since been sold for approximately $15,000.

4. The Reflux Still

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (5)

If you’re looking for detailed still plans, this could be it. This still is known as a Boka Reflux still. According to public opinion, it’s a great still for beginners because it’s easy to build at home.

This tutorial gives a detailed materials list and instructions to walk you through each step of the process. If you’ve filed the proper paperwork and have the government’s permission to distill liquor, this could be your starting point.

5. The Pressure Cooker Rum Distillery

Do you enjoy rum? If the answer is yes, you’ll love the idea of this homemade still. It uses a pressure cooker.

Though the details are more on how to make rum, you can still get a good idea of how they make the still by all of the pictures posted in the process. It looks like a neat DIY option for making homemade beverages.

6. Thumper and Slobber Boxes

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (7)

I love the television show ‘Moonshiners.’ If you’ve ever watched it, you’ve probably heard them talk about the thumper.

Well, this diagram shows you where a thumper or slobber box would go on your still. If you’re new to the idea of distilling spirits, these diagrams can be helpful.

7. Easy DIY Still

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (8)

When learning to be self-reliant, making your own liquor could be something which would slip the list. Well, not in this case.

The person who created this DIY still design did it with the intention of being more self-sustained. The plans have been clearly laid out with a materials list, and they still should be easy to build with only a few basic requirements.

8. Copper Pot Distiller

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (9)

Not everyone who sees a still wants to build their own. If you fit in this category, here’s a copper pot still available for purchase through eBay.com.

This is a gorgeous still which would catch the eye of anyone visiting your distilling location. If you’d like a classier option, this could be what you’ve been searching for.

9. Tabletop Moonshine Still

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (10)

This is another option where you can purchase a tabletop moonshine still. When some choose to distill alcohol, they don’t have a lot of working space.

In this case, you may choose to go with moonshine still which will fit on a table. It’s easy to use anda good place for a beginner to start.

10. Pan Still

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (11)

If you’re considering learning how to make your own beverages, you might be intimidated by some elaborate still plans.

Well, this plan is one that is beginner-friendly. The design is simple. There’s a pan at the top, a collector in the middle, and a bottom section for the mash. It’s an easy set-up that appears to be user-friendly.

Something Different: The Solar Still

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (12)

Some people own a still for making their own distilled water. If this is why you’d like to have a still, this is a great option for you.

However, if you’d like to focus on making your still more self-sufficient, a solar option could be a nice option. This walks you through everything you need to know to create the perfect solar still.

Bonus Section: Moonshine Recipes

1. Watermelon Moonshine

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (13)

I promised delicious recipes to accompany the moonshine still plans. This is one of those recipes. If you’re someone who prefers a fruitier flavor in their moonshine, this could be for you.

Instead of fermenting corn, you make a mash from watermelon. From there, it’s distilled and makes a delicious and beautiful drink. There’s a video to walk you through the process as well.

2. Dandelion Moonshine

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (14)

I bet you didn’t know the pesky weeds in your front yard could be turned into a delicious adult beverage, but they can.

In fact, this recipe will walk you through the process of making dandelion wine using a still. They show you how to age and even how to add a little honey to the mix for a sweeter flavor. If you like to use what you have to make anything you want or need, you’ll love this recipe.

3. Peach Moonshine

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (15)

As much as people love traditional corn whiskey, many people like to have some flavor variation in their whiskey.

This is where fruit-flavored moonshines begin to move in. If you have peaches, you can have a delicious flavored beverage to enjoy on hot summer nights.

4. Honey Moonshine

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (16)

You’ll find when most people make moonshine; they like to stick with traditional recipes or recipes which involve quality products from the land.

Well, you don’t get much more ‘homegrown’ than sweet honey. If you’d like to indulge in a beverage that is all about honey, this could be the recipe for you.

5. Apple Pie Moonshine

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (17)

When I first began watching the show ‘Moonshiners,’ I wasn’t convinced there was much there for me. I’m not someone who drinks much alcohol, but I thought I’d enjoy history.

Well, I began hearing them talk about things like apple pie moonshine, and it caught my attention. Doesn’t it sound delicious? If you agree with my taste buds, here’s the recipe.

6. Corn Whiskey Recipe

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (18)

Let’s say you enjoy the traditional flavor of moonshine, and you have all the credentials to homebrew your own spirits.

Well, this is the recipe for you. It’s for a traditional style corn whiskey. Try it and see what your opinion is of it. You may not purchase moonshine again.

Well, you now have a number of different options for stills plus a few interesting recipes!If nothing else, maybe you’ll gain some insight into how much work the generations before us put into making something which is now a common commodity.

Was this article helpful?

Yes No

×

What went wrong?

This article contains incorrect information

This article does not have the information I am looking for

×

How can we improve it?

×

We appreciate your helpful feedback!

Your answer will be used to improve our content. The more feedback you give us, the better our pages can be.

Follow us on social media:

10 DIY Moonshine Still Plans (and 6 Moonshine Recipes to Try) (2024)

FAQs

What do moonshiners use to make their moonshine? ›

Often called, "white lightening," moonshine is technically a white whiskey. Although the majority of the grain used to make moonshine is corn, it typically is made using malted barley and rye as well. Moonshine actually got it's name because it rose to popularity during prohibition in the United States.

What can I do with 100 proof moonshine? ›

Midnight Moon Original Moonshine Mixed Drinks – 100 & 80 Proof
  1. co*ke.
  2. Orange Juice.
  3. Grapefruit Juice.
  4. Apple Cider.
  5. Iced Tea.
  6. Lemonade.
  7. Ginger Beer.
  8. Bloody Mary Mix.

What are the stages of making moonshine? ›

Making moonshine has two main steps: fermentation and distillation. Fermentation is the process of yeast breaking down the sugars in the grains to produce alcohol. Once the fermentation process is complete, the “moonshine mash” (fermented grains and yeast) is sent to the still.

How much mash do I need for a 5 gallon still? ›

This means that for a 5 gallon mash you will use 1-1/4 gallons of backset and 3-3/4 gallons of water. Since you will be running your still for hours, you do not want to leave the fermenter empty. Put your 3-3/4 gallons of water back into the fermenter so your yeast won't die while you distill.

What do moonshiners use to seal their stills? ›

Each lid is specially made to fit into each pot. Being hand-made, there might be some slight slack between the separate pieces. To seal off any eventual vapour leaks a very simple technique may be used - rye flour and water.

What is the highest proof legal moonshine you can buy? ›

Kentucky Moonshine 121 Proof is the highest proof, “legal” moonshine available in stores.

Why shouldn't you drink moonshine? ›

A major risk of drinking moonshine is methanol blindness. Detecting methanol upon the first step is impossible, and consuming more of it will simply get the person drunker. However, it's eventually metabolized as its toxic metabolite, formic acid, in the body, which can have an extremely harmful effect.

What is the illegal proof of moonshine? ›

So real moonshine is typically cut pretty strong - 120 proof and up. Drinking it straight is not recommended. Note that I said real moonshine. The stuff sold in Mason jars in liquor stores is just raw, unaged still tappings at around 90 proof.

What do you do with the tail in distilling? ›

The tails are the final part of the distillation and contain some vegetal off-flavours. These are also typically discarded, however, like the heads they can also be kept in a separate container for redistilling.

How many times should I distill my moonshine? ›

If the mash contains less than about 10 %ABV alcohol, you have to distill twice (double distillation). If the alcohol content is higher than that, a simple distillation is completely sufficient. This kind of distillation produces the most intense taste and smell, more than double distilled alcohol.

How many days do you let moonshine ferment? ›

The quickest you can properly make moonshine is about two weeks. However, you really should let mash ferment for at least a week itself, so the best moonshine will usually take closer to a month to complete. Moonshine recipes all have their own timelines, so this may vary depending on what you want to make.

Are they drinking real moonshine on moonshiners? ›

There have been claims by local officials that the show is not what it portrays itself to be. Virginia authorities have stated that no illegal liquor is actually being produced by the people depicted in the show.

Is Sugarland moonshine real moonshine? ›

Product: Moonshine

This stuff is the real deal, bringing back the classic homemade spirits vibe that used to thrive in secret spots all over Appalachia. It's raw, unaged corn whiskey that packs a punch, and you can taste […]

What is Sugarlands moonshine made from? ›

Everything from Sugarlands is small batch and pot distilled a minimum of six times. The moonshine is made from Silver Cloud, fresh Tennessee white corn and cane sugar. The pot still allows Sugarland to produce a great spirit with the perfect balance between being too thin or too heavy.

What is traditional moonshine made of? ›

Moonshine is an alcoholic drink that is typically made from corn, sugar, and water. The corn is mashed, and then the sugar and water are added. This mixture is then boiled. The alcohol content of moonshine can be as high as 95%, which is significantly higher than the alcohol content of most other types of liquor.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 5884

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.