- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- BeverageCocktailLiquor
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- First Thursday of June
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- 🥃
National Moonshine Day uncorks the storied history of this potent spirit every first Thursday in June. Once a clandestine brew, moonshine has shed its illicit past to become a celebrated American craft. Explore its Prohibition-era roots, taste its modern iterations, and raise a glass to its enduring legacy. Join the celebration by trying a moonshine cocktail, visiting a distillery, or learning about its fascinating heritage.
Want to sponsor National Moonshine Day? Learn how
Expected National Moonshine Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that distilleries and bars often roll out special deals for National Moonshine Day. Expect craft distilleries like Ole Smoky Moonshine and Sugarlands Distilling Co. to offer tasting room discounts or limited-edition bottles. Local bars and restaurants may feature moonshine-infused cocktails or themed menus. Keep an eye on social media from brands like Tim Smith’s Climax Moonshine for potential giveaways or online promotions. Retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo! might highlight moonshine brands with special pricing. Even related brands like Mason Jar Distillery could join the fun. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June approaches.
Platform Guide for National Moonshine Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalMoonshineDay. Create short videos showcasing moonshine cocktail recipes or a ‘taste test’ of different legal moonshine varieties.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalMoonshineDay. Share visually appealing photos of moonshine-based drinks, distillery tours, or historical facts with engaging captions.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalMoonshineDay. Share interesting trivia about moonshine’s history, its cultural impact, or ask followers for their favorite moonshine cocktail recipes.
National Moonshine Day Hero
Marvin 'Popcorn' Sutton
National Moonshine Day timeline
‘Moonshine’ as a term referring to illicit alcohol is first mentioned in Francis Grose's “Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.”
The practice of brewing moonshine begins in England.
The alcohol content and many other factors make moonshine dangerous.
An organization that has brewed 1.5 million gallons of moonshine is apprehended.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Moonshine Day
Local businesses can tap into the spirit of National Moonshine Day by offering themed promotions. Bars and restaurants can craft special moonshine cocktail menus, perhaps with a historical twist, or host tasting flights of different legal moonshine brands. Liquor stores can feature displays of craft moonshines and offer pairing suggestions with local foods. Even gift shops in Appalachian regions can highlight moonshine-related merchandise, from branded shot glasses to books on its history.
National Moonshine Day FAQs
When is National Moonshine Day?
National Moonshine Day 2026 falls on Thursday, June 4. It’s the perfect occasion to explore the rich history and modern craft of this iconic American spirit.
Is moonshine legal today?
Yes, moonshine is legal today, provided it is produced by licensed distilleries and sold through regulated channels. The illicit, unregulated production that defined the Prohibition era is no longer the norm, allowing consumers to enjoy safe, quality spirits.
What is moonshine made from?
Traditionally, moonshine is made from a mash of corn, sugar, and yeast, though recipes can vary. The term ‘moonshine’ historically referred to illegally distilled, high-proof liquor, often made under the cover of night to avoid detection and taxes.
What's the difference between moonshine and whiskey?
The primary difference lies in aging and legality. Moonshine traditionally refers to unaged, illegally distilled spirits, while whiskey is typically aged in wooden barrels, which imparts color and complex flavors. Today, legal ‘moonshine’ is essentially unaged whiskey.
National Moonshine Day Activities
Try a craft whiskey
Craft whiskeys are those distilled by small companies or even individuals. These whiskeys are made in a non-mechanized way. So if you want to feel like you’re celebrating the days of moonshining, a craft whiskey is going to put you closer than drinking large batch whiskey from one of the well-known distillers. We can’t guarantee your craft whiskey came from a still in someone’s back yard, but we can’t guarantee it didn’t either.
Watch a NASCAR race
The origin of NASCAR is filled with stories of bootleggers hauling moonshine in their souped-up cars, running from authorities. As the need for bootleggers waned, the drivers needed a way to show off their fast cars. They eventually began racing each other on local back roads, and then on dirt ovals. NASCAR was born. Historians note North Carolina's tradition of auto racing developed in the garages of bootleggers, particularly on the roads between North Wilkesboro and Charlotte. Today’s NASCAR doesn’t much resemble the early days of back roads and bootleggers, but the whiskey doesn’t much resemble moonshine’s risk of blindness either. Both are good things.
Work in the moonlight
Want to gain a feel for the difficulty of moonshining? Those making moonshine had to work in the dark to help them hide from authorities. Moonlight was their only guide. So you can try doing an outdoor chore only by moonlight. (Preferably something that doesn’t involve fast-moving blades or working on a ladder please – safety first, after all.)
Why We Love National Moonshine Day
Infusions
Craft cocktails are all the rage right now, and many of them call for infused liquor. The best way to make your own is to start with some good old fashioned moonshine, then simply choose your mix-ins — herbs are a great bet — and let them marinate. You may not be making your own liquor, but the spirit of the thing is there!
"Radiator Whiskey"
Those making moonshine were a creative sort, coming up with cool nicknames and songs to celebrate their way of life. Songs such as "Copper Kettle" and "Apple Pie Moonshine" helped to create and highlight the legend of bootleggers and making ‘shine. Then there are the nicknames for the booze — skull cracker, white lightning, mule kick, and radiator whiskey, among others. Hard for ad agency wordsmiths to keep up with the creativity of the bootleggers.
The era (or error?) of Prohibition
Now that we increasingly live in an age of recreational marijuana use, Prohibition seems downright quaint. (It’s the only amendment to the Constitution to ever be repealed.) The existence of moonshine reminds us to be thankful that we live in a country where we’re allowed certain liberties (for the moment, anyway).
Social Media Tips for National Moonshine Day
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