Putting moonshine in the freezer is generally not recommended. While chilling moonshine can make it easier to drink by numbing some of the burn from the high alcohol content, freezing can cause issues with dilution, texture, flavor, and safety.
Why Would You Want to Put Moonshine in the Freezer?
The main reason someone may want to put moonshine in the freezer is to chill it down and make it less harsh when drinking. Freshly distilled moonshine can have an alcohol content of 60% ABV (120 proof) or more. At such high proof levels, the liquor can burn quite a bit going down. Some drinkers find chilling moonshine makes the flavor more palatable.
The cold temperature numbs the mouth and throat slightly, decreasing the bite from the alcohol. An ice-cold shot of moonshine may be easier to swallow than one at room temperature. The chill can also mask some of the harsher flavors in lower quality hooch.
Reasons Not to Freeze Moonshine
Dilution
One of the biggest issues with freezing moonshine is dilution. Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water. When a spirit is frozen, water crystals form first while the alcohol stays liquid. This effectively decreases the ABV of the liquor over time as frozen water separates from the alcohol.
A frozen mason jar of moonshine may end up with lower proof liquid at the top and frozen ice crystals at the bottom. As these crystals melt when taken out of the freezer, they dilute the hooch, meaning each pour can have a different strength.
Texture Changes
Freezing can also change the mouthfeel and viscosity of moonshine. As ice crystals form, they disrupt the liquid’s structure. Thawing and re-freezing increases this effect. The alcohol can take on a grainy or uneven texture.
Flavor Impacts
Allowing moonshine to freeze affects its flavor profile as well. The dilution from melting ice waters down the taste. Chilling dulls flavors and aromas in liquor. With the complex, robust flavor of well-crafted moonshine, freezing diminishes this character.
Safety Concerns
There are also some safety issues to consider with freezing moonshine. The separation of alcohol and water content makes it hard to determine the actual strength of the drink. A shot poured off the top may have a much higher proof than expected if a large amount of ice has formed at the bottom. This unpredictability increases the chances of overconsumption.
Freezing point depression also means moonshine can stay liquid at much lower temperatures than water. Storing mason jars of moonshine in the freezer runs the risk of the lids cracking or jars breaking once the contents expand during freezing. This can result in a dangerous mess to clean.
Proper Storage for Moonshine
Instead of the freezer, proper liquor cabinet storage is best for maintaining the quality of moonshine. Cool and dark environments help preserve the flavor and prevent degradation. Ideal conditions are around 55°F and out of direct light.
Some options for storing moonshine include:
- Cellar or basement
- Wine fridge or cooler
- Pantry or cupboard
- Under the bed or in a closet
For short term chilling right before drinking, it’s better to use ice cubes, ice water baths, or chilling rocks instead of freezing. This minimizes dilution while still lowering the temperature enough for an icy shot.
How to Drink Frozen Moonshine
If you already have frozen moonshine, all may not be lost. Here are some tips for working with frozen hooch:
Let it Thaw
Allow the moonshine to completely thaw at room temperature before drinking. Agitating the jar periodically can help break up the ice to expedite melting. This will remix the separated alcohol and water for a more consistent strength.
Pour off the Top
Once thawed, carefully pour the liquor off the top, leaving any remaining ice behind. This will get you the least diluted version possible. However, the proof will still likely be lowered somewhat.
Dilute with a Mixer
If the moonshine tastes weak or watery, bring the proof back up by adding a mixer. Make cocktails, punches, or moonshine margaritas to mask the flavor. The cocktail ingredients will also help balance out the diluted alcohol.
Use it for Cooking
Instead of drinking diluted frozen moonshine straight, use it for cooking! The alcohol cooks off, leaving just the flavor behind. Try using thawed frozen moonshine in marinades, sauces, cakes, and more.
Can You Refreeze Moonshine?
It’s not recommended to re-freeze moonshine once it has been frozen and thawed. The second round of freezing will dilute the alcohol even further. The texture can become extremely grainy or slushy with repeated freezing. At this point, it is better to simply drink the moonshine or use it for cooking.
Does Putting Moonshine in the Freezer Make it Stronger?
A common moonshine myth is that freezing it makes the liquor stronger. This is not true – freezing moonshine has the opposite effect and actually decreases the proof. While the liquid at the top may briefly have a higher ABV than when first frozen, once ice crystals start to melt, the strength drops.
Freezing cannot remove water to increase the alcohol percentage. The only way to make moonshine stronger is by carefully diluting it less during the distillation process. Freezing causes dilution, so putting moonshine in the freezer will ultimately make it weaker, not stronger.
The Takeaway on Freezing Moonshine
Here are some key takeaways on whether it’s OK to put moonshine in the freezer:
- Freezing moonshine is not recommended because it can dilute, alter the texture, diminish flavors, and pose safety issues.
- Instead, store moonshine properly at cool room temperatures around 55°F out of direct light.
- If moonshine is already frozen, thaw completely before drinking and pour off separated ice crystals.
- Diluted frozen moonshine can be used in cocktails or cooking to avoid drinking it straight.
- Refreezing thawed moonshine further reduces the quality and proof.
- Freezing does NOT make moonshine stronger, only weaker through dilution.
While chilling hooch may provide some desired numbing effects, freezing can seriously change the drink’s quality and strength. Proper storage and preparation methods should be used to preserve moonshine’s bold flavors and potency.
