Making moonshine at home has recently become very popular in the United States. This historically important beverage has found a new reputation amongst homemade liquor enthusiasts due to its simple distilling methods. However, you might be wondering how to properly store moonshine to ensure safety.
How to store moonshine the RIGHT way:
- Find a proper storage container.
- Thoroughly clean and sterilize your container.
- Seal your container so it becomes air-tight.
- Store your container in a safe spot.
Properly stored moonshine can last forever, so make sure you pay attention to the simple instructions above on storing moonshine safely. Keep reading to learn more about how to store moonshine like a pro!
1. Find a Storage Container For Moonshine
The first thing you will need is a storage container. Many types of containers will keep your moonshine safe and fresh, so let’s investigate a few of the most popular kinds.
Use a Moonshine Jug
Moonshine jugs might be the very best way to store moonshine. Since they are specifically designed for moonshine, they are made with some of the most common moonshine storage problems in mind.
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If you’ve never seen a moonshine jug, they resemble what you would picture a cartoon cowboy would drink out of in the wild West. This can also add to the moonshine’s historical allure, helping you and your guests picture what drinking moonshine was like for American pioneers.
Luckily, you can order your very own moonshine jug online from places like Amazon.
This Thousand Oaks Barrel Moonshine Jug is perfect for storage as it comes with an air-tight seal and is painted in ceramic colors to keep sunlight away from your ‘shine. Plus, its rustic and old-fashioned style will make your bottle stand out in your liquor cabinet.
If you’re looking for a traditional and old-school moonshine taste, then you should go for an authentic ceramic jug. Although it won’t keep the moonshine flavor intact, the ceramic will help you recreate what moonshine used to taste like.
Use a Glass Jar or Bottle For Moonshine
Using a glass jar to store your moonshine can be a practical way to achieve the same results as a moonshine jug. If you don’t want to buy any extra products to store your moonshine, you can just use a mason jar or any other glass jar with an air-tight seal that you may already have at home.
A glass jar will preserve the flavor of your moonshine, unlike other containers that may affect its taste.
If you have experience with at-home distilling, you may already own some glass spirit bottles for other distilled liquors. These bottles would work great for your homemade moonshine.
Moonshine in a Plastic Container
Plastic containers can also keep your moonshine perfectly safe. Although you might think that moonshine’s high alcohol content would burn through plastic, in reality, most plastic containers are durable enough to safely store your moonshine.
However, keep in mind that plastic may slightly change the taste of your moonshine. If you’re looking for the purest taste, then avoid storing your moonshine in plastic, as it can compromise its flavor profile.
Related Reading: A Step By Step Guide On How To Proof Moonshine
2. Thoroughly Clean and Sterilize Your Moonshine Container
Moonshine can last indefinitely, but not if stored in a dirty or unsanitary container. No matter which type of container you decide to use, you always need to properly disinfect them before using them to get rid of any residue from other substances.
Here’s how to disinfect your moonshine container, depending on the type:
- Glass: The easiest way to disinfect a glass container is to wash it with soapy water. Rinse, and then place it in a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain water and let dry.
- Plastic: Wash the container with soap and water. Place baking soda and white vinegar in the container and scrub with a clean sponge. Rinse and let dry.
- Ceramic: Wash with soapy water and place in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Leave in the solution for at least 10 minutes. Rinse extensively to ensure all bleach residue is gone.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your container, you’re ready to fill it up with your homemade moonshine.
3. Seal Your Moonshine Container So It Becomes Airtight
Sealing your container is one of the most important parts of storing your moonshine. If moonshine is in contact with oxygen when stored, it can begin the oxidation process, which is when alcohol changes taste as oxygen affects its chemical composition.
If your moonshine container is not properly sealed, oxidation will change its taste and make it less smooth.
Some people think that an oxidized moonshine has gone bad because of its flavor. Although we know that pure moonshine cannot go bad, you probably want to keep it tasty for as long as possible. For this reason, you want to make sure you have an air-tight lid to prevent oxidation.
Recommended: Can Moonshine Go Bad? Everything You Need To Know About Moonshine
4. Store Your Moonshine Container in a Safe Spot
Once you’ve stored your moonshine in an air-tight container, you want to find the perfect place to store it. Here are some things you need to consider when picking out the storage location of your moonshine container.
Keep Your Container of Moonshine Out of Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can spoil your moonshine. As the sun emits UV rays, these can cook your moonshine and cause it to spoil.
Clear glass and plastic containers could cause your moonshine to go bad. This is an area where a traditional moonshine jug offers benefits compared to other containers. Since they’re opaque, they will help keep the UV rays away from your moonshine.
Ceramic containers are also a great option since they’re not clear.
Either way, you can safely store your moonshine in clear glass or plastic containers as long as they’re kept out of direct sunlight at all times. Store your moonshine in a cabinet, refrigerator, or any cupboard where constant sunlight won’t be a problem.
Keep Your Moonshine at a Constant Temperature
Moonshine doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but it must be kept in a temperature-controlled location. Harsh temperature changes could compromise the flavor of your ‘shine, so you don’t want to keep it at room temperature if you live in an area with sharp temperature changes.
An easy solution to this problem is to keep your moonshine in the fridge or freezer. Most home freezers won’t freeze moonshine as their high-alcohol content will prevent it from freezing unless the temperature drops below -173ºF (-114ºC).
Keep the Moonshine Out of Reach From Kids and Pets
As with any other liquor, you want to ensure it is out of reach from kids or pets who might drink or damage it. If you have a liquor cabinet that locks, this place might be ideal for storing your moonshine bottle.
Related: Can Moonshine Really Make You Go Blind? (Explained)
Key Takeaways
Moonshine is an incredibly tasty distilled liquor that can surprise your guests. Although homemade moonshine is quite simple to make, you need to follow some important steps to safely store it.
To safely store moonshine, always remember to:
- Properly disinfect your container.
- Use a container with an air-tight seal.
- Keep your container out of direct sunlight.
- Keep your moonshine at a stable temperature.
- Keep your bottle out of the reach of children and pets.