It's no secret that I enjoy whipping up a variety of homemade moonshines (no "still" required) using Everclear. I love making all sorts of boozy creations to bring to a variety of gatherings, it's kind of my signature move, lol! This Watermelon Moonshine Recipe was a big hit the first time I passed it around and it's perfect for summer!
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Making this Watermelon Moonshine recipe is easy. It will literally take you 20 minutes or less and for that small time investment, trust me, wherever you bring this, people will be singing your praises!
You can enjoy this homemade moonshine as shots or use it as an ingredient in making a variety of cocktails. My favorite way to enjoy it is as a Watermelon Moonshine Slushie. OMGosh is that ever delicious and refreshing!
The better the watermelon the better the Moonshine.
Sometimes you get a watermelon (or any fruit for that matter) that is so perfectly ripe, harvested in the peak of season. Bite after bite, it transports you to food nirvana. And sometimes you take one bit and yuck! No-flavor-at-all. SO to combat that, I also use Watermelon Pucker in this recipe to ensure it has the flavor I want, no matter the season, no matter the watermelon.
What Is Watermelon Pucker?
Made by DeKuyper, Watermelon Pucker is an imitation Schnapp that is 30 proof. It had a rich watermelon flavor and is an ingredient most-often used in margaritas and martinis. If you can't find it try using Torani Watermelon Syrup (you can find that on Amazon).
What is Everclear?
Everclear is grain alcohol and its the most potent store-bought alcohol that can be purchased. It's actually banned in about a dozen U.S. states and the 190 proof is only sold in about ½ the states.
It comes in either 120, 151 or 190 proof bottles. Most commonly you will find the 151 variety.
Always be careful when you have it on-hand. Make it clear to any underage kids in your home that THIS is something they (or their friends) never touch. Better yet, keep it stashed out of sight. Everclear (grain alcohol) is NOT meant to be ingested/drank on its own.
How Do You Make Watermelon Moonshine?
- Not many people have an actual still on their property to churn out homemade moonshine. However, anyone with the help of a bottle of Everclear can use that as a base to whip up a variety of flavored libations at home. Easily!
- Using Everclear as a base, all you need to do is infuse it with flavors and some sweetness.
- To do that, I make a lime simple syrup and use about ½ a watermelon along with some Watermelon Pucker. However you could also add lemon simple syrup OR just keep it as plain watermelon moonshine.
- After its all combined, I let it sit overnight and then use a potato masher to mash up. After that, strain it into a bottle. Keep the bottle chilled until use. I actually like to leave it in the freezer. I have kept this for up to a week in the refrigerator, longer in the freezer.
Ingredients
- watermelon chunks about ½ a watermelon
- Everclear
- fresh lime juice
- sugar
- water
- Watermelon Pucker
Variations
- You can choose to omit the lime from the simple syrup, however, I think it's delicious with the lime.
- Other than that, I have a variety of moonshine recipes on my website. Including the ever-popular Apple Pie Moonshine, a Fresh Peach Moonshine and the incredibly decadent Chocolate Moonshine (that sure is something!!).
What Can I do With Watermelon Moonshine?
- You can choose to drink the Watermelon Moonshine as "shots".
- Or use it as an in cocktails (it goes great with vodka and tequila).
- You can freeze it and enjoy as a boozy slushy. The high alcohol content will not allow it to truly freeze, it stays as slush in the freezer.
I hope you give my homemade Moonshine a try! XO - Colleen
Just remember to be responsible when enjoying any alcoholic beverages, especially Everclear, to always keep it away from children and underage kids.
Watermelon recipes to try
Cheers! XO Colleen
Watermelon Moonshine
Ingredients
- 4 heaping cups of watermelon chunks about ½ a watermelon
- 1 cup Everclear
- ½ cup fresh lime juice about 3 limes
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup-1 cup Watermelon Pucker
Instructions
- Combine watermelon chunks and Everclear in a glass jar with lid.
- In a small pot, combine lime juice, sugar, and water. Over medium heat, stir until sugar is fully dissolved (no need to bring it to a boil). Remove from heat and allow it to cool down.
- Pour simple syrup into the jar.
- Allow it to sit in the refrigerator overnight or up to 48 hours.
- Pour contents of jar into a bowl and mash the watermelon with a potato masher, then strain mixture back into the jar.
- Add in ½ cup of the Watermelon Pucker. Shake, taste to see if the flavor is to your liking. If not sweet enough or watermelon tasting enough add in additional Watermelon Pucker.
- Store in your freezer until ready to enjoy.
- Note: Always leave headroom in the jars for expansion. The mixture should not truly freeze up, however, err on the side of caution. Freeze overnight (or longer).
Kelly Sedgwick says
I make blackberry pie moonshine. Same recipe as apple pie, just leave out the spices and add 2lbs of frozen blackberrys. I put the berries in a blender with some of the apple juice and puree them before simmering the batch. Strain, bottle, chill & serve. Enjoy!
Colleen says
Sounds delicious Kelly! Thanks! I will have to try that come blackberry season!
Dennis Easter says
Colleen, looking for a good receipt for Key Lime Pie Moonshine. Tkx!
Colleen says
Hi Dennis, I have not made that flavor...yet!
Marlee says
Instead of ever clear, can you put actual clear moonshine in this recipe???
Colleen says
YOu can try that, I would just add it in small amounts since it is most likley very strong. Just taste and adjust.
Kevin Jason says
How much does this make? I recently made Berry Moonshine and it made 12 pints of Shine. Grant it the recipe was large and the fermentation was a minimum of 3 weeks. This watermelon sounds amazing and I want to try this for my next adventure.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Colleen says
Hi Kevin, this should yield 38-48 ounces, depending on how much you get from the watermelon and how much Pucker you end up using. Play around with the measurements and flavor and make it your own. One of my best friends...husband has been tinkering and making his own grain alcohol/moonshine this winter/spring. There sure is a lot to that. It's been trial and error for him. He just gave me some which tastes awful (lol) I am going to try and flavor it up. He is however now turning some into whiskey, its currently aging. Curious to see how that turns out. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Jennifer says
To make the slushy, do you just blend with ice?
Colleen says
Hi Jennifer, no I just freeze it (I always keep it in the freezer actually) and since the alcohol content is high, it quickly thaws into the slushy texture. Just stir it around until its the texture you want. The higher the alcohol content the less the mixture freezes.
Heather Senter says
What size jar do you use?
Colleen says
I use whatever I have on hand, sometimes its in 2 jars. I do look for 32 ounce jars and bottles, I also get quart mason jars (and mason jars of all sizes for overflow). I love Marshall's and TJ Maxx for finding cook glass bottles for just a few dollars.
Patti Brown says
What is watermelon pucker?
Colleen says
It is a liquor sold in liquor stores. Here is a link to an image of it - https://winechateau.com/products/dekuyper-watermelon-pucker?variant=41200695116&gclid=Cj0KCQjws-OEBhCkARIsAPhOkIY7vOoCNFgY_7kmqHNGKrgfSnMwahO-VrSQz654F5FSO7OQIhUsFYYaAlMgEALw_wcB Feel free to use any type of Watermelon liquor (it's like Triple Sec but its watermelon flavor).
Christine Jimenez says
What if I can't get Everclear? What can I use as a substitute and will that affect the taste?
Colleen says
Plain vodka will work as well. Probably even tastier 🙂
Hill says
Is this shelf stable?
Colleen says
I keep it in the freezer until we want to enjoy. To be shelf stable you would need to can it (I think) I honestly don't know other than storing in the freezer or fridge.
Hill says
Thanks for following up with me 🥸
Elaine Montgomery says
Can you use the watermelon juice instead of water for the simple syrup?
Colleen says
You could however if the juice is sweet I would cut down the sugar so its not overly sweet.
Gary says
I made some Mango shine a couple of months ago just using a carton of Mango Punch from the dairy case. I did dissolve a cup of sugar in the punch before adding the Everclear (about 2 cups) and a cup of vanilla or mango vodka. It was a big hit at the pool on Sunday Funday.
Colleen says
Delicious!!
Kaye says
I love the watermelon moonshine
Colleen says
Awesome!!
JOHN S says
INSTEAD OF SUGAR..CAN STEVIA,MONK FRUIT OR ANY OTHER ORGANIC SUGAR BE USED?
Colleen says
Hi John, I have not trued this with alternative sugars, however I myself have mostly now transitioned to using cane sugar for most things. That would would. Yuu could experiment in a small batch to see what you think about your favorite type of sweetener. However, be sure to read up on whichever alternative choice you use about heating it up to make sure that is safe.
C. L. says
Would this be easy to make in bulk? Like to yield a gallon or 2 for a party? 4x ingredients would seem to yield a gallon….but not sure if that will work/end up good?
Colleen says
I can't see why not! You can even place some of it in the freezer in a really cold part of it as have it most likley be a little slushy. Yummmm! Cheers!
Gary says
So simple and easy, thank you for this! It’s delicious! I have a challenge for you if you’re willing?! A friend and I were reminiscing about something after I shared this recipe with her and our mouths started watering when she mentioned her favorite syrup as a child, and, it coincidentally was my favorite syrup as a child and that was boysenberry. What are the chances you could come up with a boysenberry flavored moonshine?!
Colleen says
Hi Gary, So glad you enjoyed it!! As far as the question. I will have to come across boysenberries first! I don't think I have ever had them! However if they are similar to blackberries, you can make try making a rich simple syrup with them and use that to flavor. Maybe with some white grape juice as well since that is a subtle flavor to cut the booze. Mash them up well after boiling for a bit and allow the mixture to sit before using. Up to you if you'd want to strain the seeds out or not.
Gary says
Thank you, sweet lady for the quick reply with all this great information. I’ll be curious to see how it progresses!
T-J Pierre says
We’ve used this recipe twice now and everyone LOVES IT!! Instead of pucker we used Dulce Vida watermelon margarita (because pucker wasn’t available) and it’s delicious!!!
Colleen says
Great to hear TJ! Sounds like a delicious substitute, cheers!
Virginia says
Could the lime be left out of the recipe?
Colleen says
Yes!!
Diane Sandlin says
Can you freeze it in glass jars. They won't break.
Colleen says
I always do, I leave an inch of headspace and only use quality mason jars that have not been canned in etc.
Danny Soccorsi says
I have looked everywhere for Watermelon Pucker, Schnapps, 99 Watermelon, etc. I can't find it anywhere other than buying it online. Is there anything esle that can be used in its place?
Colleen says
You can use watermelon puree as well (blend it. However it breaks down a bit. You can strain it. Just shake well before enjoying. Or try Torani syrup, just play around with the alcohol added - https://amzn.to/4aPKnDf
L says
definitely will try this. Sounds good.
Colleen says
Enjoy!!
Jen says
We really enjoyed this. Did what you said and now have 2 jars in the freezer for next time thank you!
Colleen says
Awesome! Cheers!
Lynn says
Have you tried this recipe with other fruits?
Colleen says
I have recipes for Apple Pie Moonshine, Peach Moonshine, Chocolate Moonshine all on here. I have done cherries, blueberries and rhubarb as well. I didn't like the blueberry.
Kelly says
do you have to let the simple syrup set in the refrigerator overnight, or can you use it right away?
Colleen says
You can use it right away. Enjoy!