Moonshine Madness began as a lark in the backwoods of the Ozark Mountains, paying homage to a time-honored tradition. Through a network of connections, I found a guy who knew a guy, who knew a moonshiner willing to share not only his secrets but also his product.
The adventure began with a clandestine meet-up. Blindfolded for the ride, I could only guess at our route as we bumped along winding roads for 20 to 30 minutes. When we finally arrived, the location was a quintessential Ozark scene, scrub cedars, pines, and rugged rocky outcroppings that looked like anywhere and nowhere all at once.
The process was a masterclass in old-world ingenuity. We transferred the mash to the still, lit the propane heater, and sealed the joints with paste. Once the still warmed up, the moonshine began to flow—guided into jars by a raccoon bone. The heads were discarded, leaving only the crystal-clear hearts, whose large bubbles hinted at their potent proof. It was fast, efficient, and undeniably strong.
When the pot cooled, the spent mash was dumped, and the still was rinsed in creek water, ready for its next run. I was ferried back to civilization with a jar of mountain dew in hand.
Zzzzz – Hmmm – Whaaa!
Then I awoke, my lucid dream still vividly there, and I hurried to write before it faded from memory.
While I might not have a jar of real Ozark moonshine, my friend Phil Brandon—owner and master distiller of Rock Town Distillery—makes an exceptional corn whiskey called Arkansas Lightning. At 110 proof, it packs a wallop, but its silky-smooth finish makes it perfect for cocktails. Here’s how I use it to recreate the spirit of Moonshine Madness in my own way.
Moonshine Madness
A Genuine Moonshine Cocktail Worth Doing Time For!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Arkansas Lightning -or- genuine corn and sugar squeezin’s
- 1/4 oz corn syrup
- 1/4 oz molasses
- 3 dashes sassafras and sorghum bitters
- Club soda
- Home-made bourbon/vanilla soaked cherries – garnish
Instructions
- Combine the moonshine, corn syrup or molasses and bitters in a shaker and dry shake without ice until everything is combined
- Add ice and shake until chilled
- Place cubed ice in a canning jar, but leave room
- Strain the cocktail mix into the jar and top with 1-1/2 – 2 ounces of club soda
- Garnish with one or more cherries
Notes
Don’t forget to dry shake first, because if you add ice to raw molasses it will turn into a brick!