How To Make 5 Gallon Moonshine Mash

I have been making moonshine for over two decades now and have tried all sorts of recipes and measurements.

I have experimented with every type of ingredient imaginable, yet the smoothest mash I have ever made is so simple it will surprise you. If you're a beginner this recipe is perfect for you also.

This recipe doesn't depend on complex ingredients to break down starch chains into sugars. This recipe is super simple.

It only takes two ingredients (not including the sugar and yeast) and you’ll have the smoothest whiskey run you’ve ever had. Hint: Sweet feed is the secret weapon.

In this article, I give you my top beginner recipe for making the best mash along with easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to make moonshine, along with some product recommendations.

Check out my podcast about how to make moonshine from the start to finish, along with selling tips!

The mash is the most important factor when talking about the flavor of the whiskey. For example, let’s say you make a whiskey run that turns out to be 110 proof. This means that it’s 55% alcohol. So the other 45% is the water that came from the mash.

Therefore, the mash affects the final product in a huge way.

This recipe will make 30 gallons of mash by total volume including the grains.

Smoothest Mash Recipe Ingredients 

sweet feed (unpelletized)

Chopped corn

sugar

yeast

water

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Now that you have your ingredients, you will need to calculate your batch size in gallons. 

I have created the chart below for different size recipes for mash batches in gallons. To alter the batch size just insert numbers from the chart into the instructions that follow.

Moonshine Batch Sizing Table

Cracking the grains is a process to soften the grains to let the flaver out.

In a large pot add five gallons of water, an outdoor turkey fryer pot works great. Bring this water to 160f. I use an outdoor propane burner.

Large pot for cooking the mash

I recommend the Bayou Classics propane burner as it is very durable and has an adjustable regulator to control the temperature. It’s the only one I use. 

Check Amazon for current price.

While waiting for the water to come to temperature put one part sweet feed to 2 parts corn in a 5 gallon bucket until its full.

Instead of weighing my grains, I use a ratio. For example, a 5 gallon bucket of grains would contain 66% corn (3.3 gallons) and 33% (1.66 gallons) sweet feed. 

How to Make a Simple Mash for Moonshine

How to make a simple mash for moonshine is easy if you follow along! This simple mash for moonshine is great for a sacrifice run when breaking in a new still since it’s very inexpensive to make. This is a great way for an intro to make corn whiskey and it will get you familiar with the process of making mash without breaking the bank. Some may call this a “sugar wash”.

FAQ

What is Moonshine Mash Made of It?

Moonshine mash is usually made with corn, sugar, yeast, and water and allowed to ferment for 5-10 days. A sugar wash can be made with just water and yeast and no grains to make moonshine or spirits.

How Much of Moonshine Will 5 Gallons of Mash Make?

For a 5-gallon mash recipe, the yield will be about 3 quarts on average of 130 proof. Once you proof it down for consumption, the yield will be around 1 to 2 gallons of moonshine depending on how high you want your proof for drinking.

How Many Pounds of Sugar to Make 5 Gallons of Mash?

A 5-gallon of mash requires 5 pounds of white sugar when using 5 pounds of corn which will yield a 15% finished product of 5 gallons or 3 quarts.

How to Make Mash for Corn Whiskey

Once you make this batch of simple mash for moonshine and you get familiar with the process, try making a very basic 80% corn and 20% malted barley mash for corn whiskey, or white lightning. The corn percentage must be at least 80% and not less in the mash.

This is a basic corn whiskey mash that is widely used by a lot of shiners as an easy go-to simple mash recipe. This recipe will be a “corn whiskey” or “white lightning” if aged for at least 2 years in white oak barrels that can be new or charred which is not necessary for the aging process.

Using a Grain Bill for Record Keeping

Using a grain bill is recommended for record-keeping when making mash. By keeping a grain bill and notes of the mash, you will be able to reproduce the exact mash again and again. The grain bill will help you decide which mash is your favorite produced corn whiskey or moonshine. 

Moonshine Still Recipes

The roots of making moonshine are entailed in the art that has stretched back thousands of years into our history. The overall process of making moonshine is relatively simple. However, once you begin the process of trial and error you will learn the nuances that can make make the distilling process quite challenging at time.

American Moonshine Distillers typically use corn to make their moonshine. This is largely due to the fact that corn is one of the most common and inexpensive grains available. Scotch and Irish Whiskeys tend to use barley.

Starting off the process with the proper moonshine ingredients will make all the difference in the quality of the you are looking to create. A quick and simple overview of the process of making moonshine is listed below, but keep in mind, there is a lot more to it when it comes to quality creative distilling.

Moonshine Mashing Equipment

Making corn whiskey mash is pretty simple. You could get by with less, but having the following basic equipment will make this a lot easier.

• You'll want a large pot for mashing
• a wort chiller for cooling liquid
• a brewers thermometer
• cheesecloth
• a plastic funnel
• a spare plastic bucket for aeration

Moonshine Distilling Proceedure

• Gather Your Materials and Moonshine Ingredients
• Mix Your Chosen Type of Mash
• Ferment Your Mash
• Prepare Your Still
• Transfer Fermented Mash to Your Still
• Run Your Still
• Separate Foreshots, Heads, Hearts, and Tails
  • Foreshots are the first vapors to boil off during distillation
  • Heads come off the still directly after the foreshots, they taste and smell bad
  • Hearts come off the still after the heads, they are the sweet spot, the good stuff
  • Tails following the hearts after lower boiling point alcohols have evaporated. Tails contain fusel oil and other alcohols
    • Fusel oil is a mixture of several alcohols (chiefly amyl alcohol) produced as a byproduct of alcoholic fermentation
• Clean Your Still, it’s important for safety and purity of products that copper stills be cleaned properly. An important vinegar run should be done before the first use. You should disassemble your still for cleaning after every use. You want to make sure no buildup collects that could contaminate your alcohol.

The practice of distilling can include the production of liquor, wine, beer, liqueurs, alcoholic beverages, and yes, even ethanol.

Do-It-Yourself Moonshine Recipes

CORNMEAL MASH RECIPE

• So for a 5 gallon mash:
• 5 gallons of water
• 5 pounds of corn meal
• 5 pounds of sugar

Heat the water to around 90-100 degrees, turn off the heat to the burner, add the corn meal to the water and stir very well, add the sugar and mix until completely dissolved. Add yeast once the mash has cooled to the high 70’s

CRACKED CORN WHISKEY RECIPE

• 8.5 lbs. of crushed corn (sometimes called flaked maize)
• 2 lbs. of crushed malted barley*
• 6.5 gallons of water
• 1 package of bread yeast

Note, barley MUST be malted, otherwise recipe will not work

HONEYSHINE HONEY RECIPE

• 1 Gallon of Honey
• 4 Gallons of Water
• 5 Tsp. Yeast Nutrient
• 2 Packets Bread Yeast

Add 4 gallons of water and 1 pound of honey to a pot. Heat liquid to 160 degrees to dissolve the honey and “soft pasteurize” the mash. Cool to 70 degrees using an immersion chiller. Aerate by dumping back and forth between 2 bucks. Transfer liquid to fermenter and add yeast. Cap with an air-lock. Allow to ferment for 2 weeks, maintaining an ambient temperature of 70 degrees.

RYE WHISKEY RECIPE

• 7 lbs Rye, 2 lbs Barley
• 1 lb malt
• 6 gallons of water
• 1 oz yeast

Heat water to 70 degrees and mix in malt and grain. While stirring the mixture, heat to 160 degrees. Keep mixture at 160 degrees for 2-3 hours, stirring, to convert starch to fermentable sugars. Strain the mash and place into your fermenter and allow to cool to 70 – 80 degrees.

Pitch yeast. To avoid secondary fermentation and contamination, add 1 gram of ammonium fluoride. Stir for one minute, then cover and seal with an airlock. Mash will take 5-7 days to ferment.

After fermentation is complete, pour into the still through a pillow case to remove all solids.

MALTED BARLEY RECIPE

• 1.5 lbs pounds malted Barley for every gallon
• 1/3 pound of cain sugar for every gallon
• Add gypum depending on size of fermentation

After your mash has cooled down to 70 degrees you can pitch your Prestige distillers yeast.

FUEL ALCOHOL RECIPE

• 8 Pounds Sugar
• 1 Pound Of Raisins
• 4 Gallons Water
• 2 Packets Champagne Yeast

Add 4 gallons of water, 8 pounds of sugar, and 1 pound of raisins to the pot. Heat to 100 degrees to dissolve the sugar. Cool to 70 degrees. Aerate by dumping back and forth between 2 bucks. Transfer liquid to fermenter and add yeast. Cap with an air-lock. Allow to ferment for 2 weeks, maintaining an ambient temperature of 70 degrees.

How to Make Moonshine

Moonshine (or corn whiskey) is a drink that has deep roots in history, especially American history, so it only makes sense why people would and should know how to know how to make their own moonshine.  If you are unsure as to what moonshine is exactly please feel free to read this page  where you can learn some basic background and information about moonshine.

Often times when people think about homemade alcohol the term “moonshine” jumps into their heads.  Anyone who is getting into homemade alcohol or home distilling/liquor making should know how to properly make this iconic drink.  So without further ado let’s dive into the specifics into making moonshine.

Step 1: Understanding the Process & Basic Terms

• Making moonshine involves 3 basic processes:
• 1) Making the Mash  
• 2) Fermenting the Mash  
• 3) Distilling the Mash
• We will dive into each of these processes separately a little later on but first let’s go over a few quick and basic terms around moonshine:

• Mash – The substance that is made which is fermented, distilled, and then becomes the moonshine.
• Still – The piece of equipment in which the mash is distilled in, the mash is boiled and then condensed into liquor in the still.
• Distillation –  The process that turns the low alcohol mash into high alcohol moonshine, occurs in the still. *To learn more about distillation go to this page.*
• Fermentation –  The process of making the mash alcoholic by the yeast converting the sugars into alcohol.  This is a naturally occurring process.

Step 2: The Ingredients & Equipment

The ingredients to make a moonshine mash can vary greatly, there are TONS of different types and flavors of moonshine, all with varying recipes.  However a constant among all moonshine ingredients is the need for yeast, a nutrient (grain or sugar usually), and water.  Many recipes also involve a malted ingredient such as barley or rye.

Here you are going to learn how to make a basic corn-based mash which will produce a classic type of moonshine.

The ingredients you will need are:

• Corn Meal
• Sugar
• Water
• Yeast (Distillers yeast is recommended)

You are going to need a still, this is the single most important aspect to making moonshine, or any liquor for that matter.

If you plan to make several batches of moonshine or other homemade liquor I HIGHLY recommend buying a still, trust me, it will save you a lot of time, effort, heartache, and money.

 It is indeed possible to make a still, however an improperly made still will be ineffective and can be dangerous.  Click here for an article for more information on purchasing vs buying a still.

In addition to the still there are a few other things you will need:

Step 3: The Recipe

5 Wild Moonshine Mash Recipes You Should Try! – Advanced Mixology

January 25, 2021 Cocktail Recipes How-To Guides

There are plenty of moonshine mash recipes, such as Sweet Feed, Rye Bread Whiskey, Peach Moonshine, Coconut Rum, and Grandpa’s Moonshine. With these varieties, you might want to learn the basics of how to make moonshine before we get started.

Making moonshine is illegal to this day. If you don’t have government authorization to sell, import, or own your moonshine still, you can get into a lot of trouble. That being said, enthusiasts can still buy the ingredients and assemble their own stills.

1. Sweet Feed Moonshine Mash

For the equestrians out there, this moonshine mash recipe is either the worst or the best thing ever. You can ferment anything as long as it has sugar and starch, and horse feed is no exception. It may sound strange, but we have made alcohol infused with snakes, so why not try this out.

Ingredients

• 13.0 lbs. Sweet Feed
• 6.5 gal Water 
• 6.0 lbs. Sugar
• 1.0 package Whiskey Yeast

How to Make

1. Place enough feed to cover the bottom of your fermenter bucket; a good 4-5 inches should suffice.
2. Add your sugar and fill the fermenter halfway with boiling water. Mix the sugar until it is dissolved.
3. Fill the rest with warm water until you get to 6.5 gal of mash.

   There should be at least about 3″ space left in the fermenter.

4. Add the yeast after it has cooled down to about 75 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Cover the fermenter using the lid and wait for 5-6 days.
6. Run it at 150-160 proof.
7. Filter the mash before distillation. This removes sediments to get a clear spirit.

8. Distill the concoction, and you’re good to go!

2. Rye Bread Whiskey

Another unusual and wild moonshine mash recipe is the rye bread whiskey. You can use dark and dense pumpernickel to make your own homemade whiskey. Make sure you buy fresh instead of the ones you get at the store because there’s a huge possibility that they might have added preservatives. 

Ingredients

How to Make

1. Cut the rye bread into small pieces. You can either use a food processor or use your hands to do this.
2. Add the bread pieces and 1.5 gal of water in a big pot and bring it to a boil for around 5 minutes. Stir continuously.

3. Remove the pot from the heat and mix the sugar into the mash until it is completely dissolved.
4. Remove the solids and pour the mash into the fermenter.
5. Add water to reach the 6-gallon level. Take note of the temperature, which should be 82°F.

6. Add the yeast on top of the mash and close the fermenter with the lid.
7. Shake the fermenter for 30-60 seconds to incorporate air into the mix.
8. Place the bucket in a dark area at room temperature and let it ferment for 1 week.
9. Distill the mash when it’s ready.

3. Peach Moonshine Mash

If you’re looking for something a little more fruity and easy to make, then the Peach moonshine is what you’re looking for. This moonshine mash recipe is great because it mellows out over time, and the taste is sweeter compared to other drinks. Peaches can improve your heart's health and aids your digestion.

Ingredients

How to Make

1. Remove the pits in the peaches and crush them in a pot.
2. Add the water and heat it until it goes up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Add the sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved.

4. Remove from the heat and let it cool to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Pour the mixture into the fermenter and add yeast.
6. Close the fermenter using the lid.
7. Let it ferment for 5 days.
8. Strain the concoction and distill.

9. Refrigerate a quart of the distilled product to bring back the flavor.

4. Coconut Rum Moonshine Mash

Not only does coconut rum give off a tropical taste, but coconut itself gives plenty of benefits for your health because it’s an excellent antioxidant. But before we make our coconut rum moonshine, you have to learn how to make rum first.

Ingredients

• 16 oz. Water
• 2 Mature Brown Coconuts
• 0.75 lbs. Sugar
• Rum

How to Make

1. Open up the coconut by drilling a hole in it.
2. Pour out the coconut water into a container (if you want to keep it).
3. Put the coconuts in the oven for 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
4. After it’s been cooked, remove them from the oven and let them sit to cool.

5. Break the shells off the coconuts using a hammer and scrape the white raw coconut meat.
6. Clean the meat through running water to remove any unwanted particles.
7. Use a food processor or blender to break down the meat. If you don’t have one, you can use a cheese grater or a knife.
8. Pour water in a pot and bring to a boil.

9. Add sugar and stir until it is dissolved.
10. Let it simmer, and add the raw white coconut meat.
11. Stir the mixture for 3 minutes when it’s simmering.
12. Pour the mixture into a jar and top it off with some rum.
13. Close it with a lid and keep it in a cool dark place.
14. Let it soak for 3 weeks.

    Shake the jar at least once a day during this time.

15. Strain the mixture and store it in your refrigerator to retain the taste.

5. Grandpa’s Moonshine Mash

Grandpa’s moonshine mash is the smoothest drink you’ll ever create. It’s made from your favorite breakfast staple, oats.

Ingredients

How to Make

1. Pour boiling water into your fermenter and add both of the sugars and quick oats.
2. Stir until all sugars are dissolved and let it cool around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Add the yeast and close it with the lid.

4. Let it ferment for 7 days and let it settle until the liquid is clear.
5. Remove any gunk on the top of your liquid.
6. Peel and cut the pomelo fruit and add to the still.

7. Distill that liquid, and you’re good to go!

Conclusion

Moonshine has a colorful history of criminal proportions. Still, you can enjoy moonshine mash recipes in the safety of your home. Infusing different flavors to your moonshine comes with different techniques, so be sure to carefully read the instructions. Remember that selling and distributing this drink can get you into a lot of trouble — approach with caution!

Which moonshine mash recipe is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

• 13.0 lbs. Sweet Feed
• 6.5 gal Water
• 6.0 lbs. Sugar
• 1.0 package Whiskey Yeast

1. Place enough feed to cover the bottom of your fermenter bucket; a good 4-5 inches should suffice.

2. Add your sugar and fill the fermenter halfway with boiling water. Mix the sugar until it is dissolved.

3. Fill the rest with warm water until you get to 6.5 gal of mash. There should be at least about 3″ space left in the fermenter.

4. Add the yeast after it has cooled down to about 75 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Cover the fermenter using the lid and wait for 5-6 days.

6. Run it at 150-160 proof.

7. Filter the mash before distillation. This removes sediments to get a clear spirit.

8. Distill the concoction, and you’re good to go!

Moonshine has a colorful history of criminal proportions. Still, you can enjoy moonshine mash recipes in the safety of your home. Infusing different flavors to your moonshine comes with different techniques, so be sure to carefully read the instructions. Remember that selling and distributing this drink can get you into a lot of trouble — approach with caution!

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5 Gallon Moonshine Mash Recipe: Shall we try it?

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Moonshine is a type of liquor that has been around for centuries. It is typically made from corn mash and can be distilled to increase its potency.

While moonshine can be made in many ways, this 5-gallon moonshine mash recipe is one of the easiest methods.

This recipe calls for a few simple ingredients and can be easily scaled up or down, depending on your needs. So, if you’re looking to make your moonshine, give this recipe a try!

It’s possible to make whiskey moonshine at home?

While many people associate moonshine with backwoods stills and Illegal brewing, it is possible to make your whiskey moonshine at home.

The process is surprisingly simple, and all you need is a few basic supplies:

1. You’ll need to choose a high-quality grain of alcohol.
2. You’ll need to add some flavoring, such as honey, fruit, or spices.
3. And you’ll need to age the mixture in an oak barrel.

By following these simple steps, you can create a delicious homemade whiskey perfect for sipping on a warm summer night.

How long does it take to make the moonshine?

The moonshine will be ready to drink after being fermented for 2-3 weeks. However, if you want a higher-proof moonshine, you can let it age in jars or bottles for a few months.

What ingredients do I need for this recipe?

If you’re looking to make your moonshine, you’ll need a good mash recipe. This 5-gallon moonshine mash recipe is a great place to start. It’s straightforward, and it will give you a delicious moonshine that’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. 

To make this mash, you’ll need 10 lbs of grain (I prefer corn, but you can use rye or wheat), 5 gallons of water, 1 package of yeast, and 1 cup of sugar.

There are a few things you need to know before we get started. First, this is a 5-gallon moonshine mash recipe, which means it will produce approximately 5 gallons of moonshine. Second, this recipe calls for cornmeal, the most common type of grain used in moonshine production.

• 10 lbs Cornmeal
• 5 gallons Water
• 1 package Yeast
• 1 cup Sugar

• Bring the 5 gallons of water to a boil in a large pot.
• Once the water is boiling, slowly add in the 10lbs of cornmeal while stirring.
• Once all cornmeal has been added, stir in 1 cup of sugar.
• Let the mixture boil for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After 30 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let it cool for 15 minutes.
• Add the package of yeast to the mixture and stir well.
• Cover the pot with a lid or towel and let it sit for 24 hours in a warm place.
• After 24 hours, transfer the mixture to a fermentation vessel (a 5-gallon bucket will work fine).
• Fit the fermentation vessel with an airlock and let it ferment for 2-3 weeks.
• Once fermentation is complete, transfer the moonshine to jars or bottles and enjoy!

Can I store this moonshine recipe?

Yes, you can store moonshine for an extended period.

However, it is important to note that the longer it is stored, the more the flavor will change. If you want to store your moonshine for more than a few months, we recommend adding a small number of oak chips or spirals to the storage container.

This will help to keep the flavor consistent over time.

What is the best way to drink moonshine?

Moonshine can be enjoyed in many different ways.

It can be taken straight, or it can be used in cocktails. It can also be poured over ice or mixed with fruit juices or soda. However you choose to drink it, moonshine will give you a good time!

Tips and tricks for a better moonshine

First of all, use cornmeal that is as fine as possible. This will make it easier to dissolve in the water.

1. Use good quality water. If your tap water isn’t great, use bottled water or filtered water.
2. Boil the cornmeal and water for a full 30 minutes. This will help to break down the cornmeal and make it more fermentable.
3. Be sure to dissolve the sugar completely before adding the yeast.
4. Don’t add too much yeast. A package of dry yeast is usually enough for 5 gallons of mash.
5. Let the mash sit for at least 24 hours before starting fermentation. This will give the yeast a chance to get started.
6. Keep the fermentation vessel in a warm place. 70-80 degrees is ideal.
7. Don’t let the mash get too hot during fermentation. If it gets over 80 degrees, the yeast will die off.
8. After fermentation is complete, transfer the moonshine to a clean vessel for storage. This will help to prevent it from getting too strong.
9. If you want to age your moonshine, do so in a glass or stainless steel container. Oak barrels are also an option, but be sure to use a small one (1 or 2 gallons) so that the surface area of the moonshine to wood ratio is high. This will help to speed up the aging process.
10. Check your moonshine periodically while it’s aging. If it starts to get too strong, dilute it with water.
11. Don’t forget to taste your moonshine regularly! This is the best way to know when it’s ready to bottle.
12. When bottling, filter the moonshine through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove any sediment.

Store your moonshine in a cool, dark place and enjoy your moonshine responsibly!

Final Words

Moonshine is a delicious and potent alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed in many different ways. If you follow the tips and tricks in this article, you’ll be sure to make some great moonshine that your friends and family will love. Anyone can make this moonshine recipe with very simple ingredients. Cheers!

Similar Drinks Recipes:

How to Make Moonshine Mash: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

• 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) ground cornmeal
• 10 pounds (4.5 kg) white granulated sugar
• 10 gallons (38 l) of water (distilled if possible)
• 1⁄2 ounce (14 g) active dry yeast, preferably Turbo
• 1 to 2 cups (0.24 to 0.47 l) water
• 1-2 bags dried fruit (optional)

1. 1

   Boil 10 gallons (38 l) of water in a 20 gallons (76 l) stainless steel pot. Allow the water to reach boiling temperature, with large bubbles on the surface of the water.[1]

   • Use a pot that has been sterilized and cleaned. Do not use a pot that appears dirty or stained.

2. 2

   Stir in 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) of cornmeal and boil for 5-7 minutes. Once the water comes to a boil, pour in the cornmeal and use a wooden spoon to mix it in. Continue to stir it until it becomes thick.[2]

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3. 3

   Reduce the heat to 150 °F (66 °C). Turn down the heat so the cornmeal stays warm but is no longer boiling. Use a thermometer in the cornmeal to ensure it stays at the right temperature.[3]

   • Cooling down the cornmeal will ensure it interacts properly with the yeast when it is added.

4. 4

   Add 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of sugar and 1⁄2 ounce (14 g) of yeast. Pour the sugar and yeast into the cornmeal. Use a wooden spoon to combine. Stir it for 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become soupy and thin.[4]

   • Remove the mash from the heat once the sugar and yeast have been mixed in.

5. 5

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