7 Perfect Moonshine Mixers

The jig is up, the news it out, we finally found it—moonshine. It’s the high-proof distilled outlaw spirit, traditionally produced illegally for over 200 years. Now at the forefront of the craft cocktail revolution, it leaves us asking: what mixer can bridle such a lively and zealous spirit? Meet the following worthy moonshine mixers.

Moonshine is a clear, unaged whiskey made from corn mash known for its distinct and clean flavor. Although it’s only been enjoyed legally for just shy of ten years, it’s be a favorite for decades, enjoyed by whiskey and cocktail lovers across the country.

In true renegade fashion, moonshine developed a bit of notoriety over the years. Nicknamed white lightning, it adds a little more hair to the chest of men and women alike. But, don’t just reduce this outlaw to its sordid past and potent punch. Moonshine has done its time. Versatile in nature due to its clean flavor, it’s an easy addition to any punch and a great base for any libation. Here are the top seven moonshine mixers.

Moonshine Mixer: Ginger Ale

Combining moonshine with ginger ale is as close to drinking moonshine neat as you’re going to get. The sweetness from ginger ale will just help it go down a little smoother. To highlight moonshine’s distinct flavor, combine moonshine with ginger ale and enjoy with your pals while camping or around a bonfire. Adding ginger ale to flavored moonshines is also a great choice. For a quick cocktail, try it with our apple pie moonshine, in a 2:1 ratio of ginger ale to moonshine. Perfect for the first few weeks of fall!

Moonshine Mixer: Coke

You can never go wrong with the undeniably refreshing and bubbly taste of coke as a moonshin mixer (also great for any libation). Since moonshine is whiskey, adding coke is just playing on the old favorite of whiskey and coke. Certain sweeter, corn-heavy moonshines have cola notes, so combining moonshine with coke is as natural as a Kentuckian to have whiskey, bourbon, and moonshine on hand. Moonshine and coke can be enjoyed year-round and is perfect to serve at a last-minute gathering with friends and family.

Moonshine Mixer: Grapefruit Juice

Always a favorite for cocktails, grapefruit juice’s bright and bitter notes pair well with moonshine, bringing out the best of both beverages. Serve moonshine and grapefruit juice with a grapefruit wedge as a poor-man’s Paloma at your next Taco Tuesday. Or, try something a little different by combining equal parts grapefruit and our apple pie moonshine (yes, you read that right) in a salted-rim highball glass with lime wedge—ideal for those last summer days before fall.

Moonshine Mixer: Orange Juice

Sweeter than grapefruit juice, but just as bright in flavor, orange juice is a fresh, upbeat moonshine mixer. Use orange juice with moonshine for your pals that have a sweeter tooth. For a poolside concoction that will make you feel like you’re sunbathing in Kokomo, try a Coconut Sunrise—a refreshing blend of coconut moonshine, grenadine, and orange juice garnished with maraschino cherries and shredded coconut.

Moonshine Mixer: Lemonade

No other beverage is more distinctly summer than lemonade. Moonshine’s power and lemonade’s sweetness is as perfect a pair as sunshine and tan lines. For an easy one-two knockout punch, combine equal parts of moonshine and lemonade in a pitcher to enjoy at your next summer cookout. For an easy batch cocktail ideal for a tailgate on a hot day, use frozen lemonade and sparkling lemonade for an easy batch cocktail, Lemon Blueberry Moonshine Slush.

Moonshine Mixer: Iced Tea

A close second to lemonade in the most-distinctly summer beverage, iced tea is a great moonshine mixer. We recommend using bottled iced tea to as opposed to a home-brewed version, as it easy to overdo the combo. Try equal parts sweet tea and apple pie moonshine, garnished with a lemon wedge, for an easy-breezy libation to be enjoyed on a lazy summer day. Or, combine iced tea, lemonade, and moonshine for a boozy Arnold Palmer to be enjoyed after completing the back nine.

Moonshine Mixer: Other Wine & Spirits

It seems like a no-brainer, but you can never go wrong with using another alcoholic beverage as a mixer in a cocktail. Mix equal parts of Sweet Vermouth and moonshine for a strong, stirred drink to be enjoyed after a long week. Or, try a Moonshine Margarita, using lime juice, simple syrup, and Triple Sec in a 1:2 ratio to moonshine, perfect for fajitas with family and friends.

Black Button Distilling handcrafts a one-of-a-kind Apple Pie Moonshine, perfect for distinctly-American moonshine cocktails. You can find our moonshine at our Rochester distillery, or you can buy online. Cheers!