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Adult Beverages / Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine

Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine

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By Rosie Published: September 10, 2024 Updated: September 29, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links.

This Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine Taste just like the ice cream! It’s amazing, but remember – this is only for adults!!

Golden Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine in a glass mason jar. A bowl of butter pecan ice cream sits behind the jar. Broken bits of pecans lay nearby atop a purple and green plaid cloth.
Table of Contents
  1. How to Make Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine
  2. Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine Tips and Tricks
  3. Save & Share this Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine PIN on Pinterest!
  4. Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine

Let me tell you, this Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine recipe exploded on Pinterest! Iโ€™m talking viral, yโ€™allโ€”pins, saves, and people sharing their own versions like wildfire. It caught on faster than I could keep up! I had folks from all over saying, โ€œI need this in my life,โ€ and honestly, I donโ€™t blame them. Who can resist that buttery, pecan goodness with a little kick of moonshine?

Now, I may be from the Pacific Northwest, but Iโ€™ve always had a soft spot for those rich, Southern flavors. When I put this recipe out there, I just knew it was going to hit the spot. Itโ€™s the perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and indulgent, with a touch of nostalgia that takes you right back to family gatherings and cozy evenings.

The best part? Itโ€™s as easy to make as it is to drinkโ€”just mix, simmer, strain, and pour. But donโ€™t let its simplicity fool you. This moonshine has serious flavor, and once you bottle it up, youโ€™re going to want to share it with everyone (or maybe keep it all to yourselfโ€”no judgment here!). Whether itโ€™s for a special occasion or just a quiet night in, this drink is a crowd-pleaser.

So go ahead, give it a try, and see why everyone on Pinterest canโ€™t stop talking about it. Youโ€™re about to discover why this recipe is pure magic in a jar!

A close-up image of Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine in a glass jar showcasing the golden sheen of the beverage.

How to Make Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
  • 2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter extract (this is the secret to that rich, buttery flavor!)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups dark rum (or bourbon, if you want a deeper flavor)
  • 2 cups Everclear or your favorite high-proof grain alcohol

Instructions

  1. In a large pan, melt 1/2 cup of the butter over medium heat. Once it starts to foam, toss in the chopped pecans. Stir them occasionally for about 5-7 minutes until they turn a nice golden brown and you can smell that wonderful, nutty aroma. Set them aside for later, but keep a few for garnishing.
  2. In a large pot, combine the remaining butter, toasted pecans, dark brown sugar, white sugar, water, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and butter extract. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the sugars dissolve completelyโ€”about 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in the sweetened condensed milk. This is what gives the moonshine that irresistible creamy texture, so donโ€™t skip it!
  4. Let the mixture cool completelyโ€”patience is key here! You donโ€™t want to add the alcohol to a hot mixture because itโ€™ll evaporate the alcohol content (and we canโ€™t have that!).
  5. Once the syrup has cooled down, stir in the dark rum and Everclear. Mix it until everything is smooth and well combined.
  6. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into clean mason jars or bottles. Make sure to leave a little headspace in each jar. Store your moonshine in the fridge, where itโ€™ll keep for up to 3 months.

Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine Tips and Tricks

Toast Those Pecans Right: Donโ€™t skip toasting the pecansโ€”itโ€™s the key to getting that deep, nutty flavor. Keep an eye on them while toasting because they can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. Stir frequently and take them off the heat as soon as they turn golden brown.

Butter Extract Is a Must: While vanilla extract gives it that cozy sweetness, butter extract is what makes this moonshine taste like buttery, pecan pie goodness in a glass. Don’t skip it if you’re looking for that rich, creamy flavor.

Let It Cool Completely: I know itโ€™s tempting to speed things up, but be sure to let your syrup cool completely before adding the alcohol. Adding the alcohol while itโ€™s still warm can cause the alcohol content to evaporate, and we want to keep all that boozy goodness intact!

Adjust the Sweetness: If you find this recipe a little too sweet for your liking, you can reduce the amount of white sugar by half. Itโ€™ll still be rich and indulgent, but with a slightly less sweet kick.

Add a Splash to Coffee: Want a fun way to serve it? Add a shot of your Butter Pecan Moonshine to your morning coffee for an extra special (and boozy) treat. Itโ€™s like your coffee and dessert all in one!

Perfect for Gifting: This moonshine makes for a fabulous homemade gift. Grab some cute mason jars, tie a ribbon around the top, and boomโ€”youโ€™ve got a thoughtful, delicious gift that everyone will love.

Customize Your Booze: If rum isn’t your thing, feel free to substitute with bourbon or even whiskey. Each brings its own depth of flavor, so you can experiment and find your favorite.

Serve It Chilled: For the best sipping experience, serve this moonshine ice-cold. You can even store it in the freezer for an extra frosty treatโ€”it wonโ€™t freeze because of the alcohol content.

How Long Will It Last?

Your Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine will keep beautifully for up to 3 months when stored in the refrigerator. The alcohol acts as a preservative, so it wonโ€™t go bad quickly. Just make sure to keep it in a tightly sealed jar or bottle. Though, letโ€™s be realโ€”this stuff is so good, it probably wonโ€™t last that long! But if youโ€™re saving it for special occasions or gifting it, you can feel confident that itโ€™ll stay fresh and delicious for a few months.

Save & Share this Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine PIN on Pinterest!

Golden liquid in a clear mason jar with image text overlay that reads, "Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine!"

Print the recipe below!

Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine

A simple recipe for a smooth, warm elixir to keep you cozy on cold winter nights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Beverage
Cuisine Southern
Keyword Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine
Prep Time 1 day day
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 day day 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 4 cups Everclear
  • 4 oz caramel flavored vodka
  • 4 tbsp butter pecan syrup
  • 4 tsp vanilla extract
  • You will need 4 medium sized mason jars.

Instructions

  • Combine the water, brown sugar in a large pot. 
  • Bring up to a gentle boil, then reduce to simmer and cover for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. 
  • Add in the Everclear, butter pecan syrup, vanilla extract and caramel vodka, stir to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into each jar.
  • Bottle it up in mason jars and either chill in the refrigerator or store in a cool place for at least 1 day.
  • Serve & enjoy!
If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!
© 2025 I Heart Recipes
Recipe by: I Heart Recipes

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MEET THE RECIPE AUTHOR

Rosie

Iโ€™m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my familyโ€”whether theyโ€™re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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Comments

  1. Ashley says

    November 9, 2017 at 8:03 am

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds absolutely delicious!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 9, 2017 at 9:00 am

      Thanks Ashley!

      Reply
  2. Kathie Mattoon says

    November 10, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    Southern butter pecan only sits for 1 day? Can’t wait to make!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 10, 2017 at 5:42 pm

      Enjoy! XOXO

      Reply
  3. Justin Brown says

    November 18, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    5 stars
    Is the recipe just 1 cup of water or is it supposed to be 10? I wa just wondering because that is like 140 proof or so. Please let me know as I am really wanting to try this recipe thanks

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 18, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      The written recipe is correct ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Jeff D. says

    November 20, 2017 at 5:19 am

    5 stars
    How long do you simmer the sugar and water? I’m new to this.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 20, 2017 at 8:09 am

      For aout 10 minutes. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. John Moore says

    November 20, 2017 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Rosie,

    Regarding the Butter Pecan syrup, are you using a flavored breakfast syrup or a coffee syrup like Torani?

    I see this recipe getting lot’s use!

    John

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      November 20, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Yes, Torani syrup

      Reply
  6. Karl says

    February 11, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    This sounds like it would be pretty tasty, I’m going to try to get some regular moonshine to make this one, will let you know how it turns out

    Reply
  7. Chris says

    July 13, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    Did you use pearl dust to make this glittery? The batch I have made doesnโ€™t have the shine.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      July 20, 2018 at 10:06 am

      Yes

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Candied Pecans | I Heart Recipes says:
    February 22, 2018 at 12:46 pm

    […] Butter Pecan Moonshine […]

    Reply

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Hey cousins, itโ€™s Rosie!

Iโ€™m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my familyโ€”whether theyโ€™re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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