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

Let me tell you, this Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine recipe exploded on Pinterest! Iโm talking viral, yโallโpins, 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, โI need this in my life,โ and honestly, I donโt blame them. Who can resist that buttery, pecan goodness with a little kick of moonshine?
Now, I may be from the Pacific Northwest, but Iโve 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. Itโs 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? Itโs as easy to make as it is to drinkโjust mix, simmer, strain, and pour. But donโt let its simplicity fool you. This moonshine has serious flavor, and once you bottle it up, youโre going to want to share it with everyone (or maybe keep it all to yourselfโno judgment here!). Whether itโs 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 canโt stop talking about it. Youโre about to discover why this recipe is pure magic in a jar!

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
- 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.
- 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 completelyโabout 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in the sweetened condensed milk. This is what gives the moonshine that irresistible creamy texture, so donโt skip it!
- Let the mixture cool completelyโpatience is key here! You donโt want to add the alcohol to a hot mixture because itโll evaporate the alcohol content (and we canโt have that!).
- Once the syrup has cooled down, stir in the dark rum and Everclear. Mix it until everything is smooth and well combined.
- 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 itโll keep for up to 3 months.
Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine Tips and Tricks
Toast Those Pecans Right: Donโt skip toasting the pecansโitโs 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 itโs tempting to speed things up, but be sure to let your syrup cool completely before adding the alcohol. Adding the alcohol while itโs 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. Itโll 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. Itโs 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 boomโyouโve 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 treatโit wonโt 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 wonโt go bad quickly. Just make sure to keep it in a tightly sealed jar or bottle. Though, letโs be realโthis stuff is so good, it probably wonโt last that long! But if youโre saving it for special occasions or gifting it, you can feel confident that itโll stay fresh and delicious for a few months.
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Print the recipe below!

Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine
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 enjoyed my Southern Butter Pecan Moonshine, check out these recipes as well!

Margarita Moonshine
Pumpkin Pie Moonshine
Peach Cobbler Moonshine
Cranberry Pumpkin Moonshine
Sour Patch Kids Moonshine
Donโt forget to tag and follow me onย Facebook,ย Instagram, andย Pinterest,ย subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check outย I Heart Soulfood,ย Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosieย andย A Cousin Rosie Holidayย with many recipes you canโt find anywhere else.ย
This recipe sounds absolutely delicious!
Thanks Ashley!
Southern butter pecan only sits for 1 day? Can’t wait to make!
Enjoy! XOXO
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
The written recipe is correct ๐
How long do you simmer the sugar and water? I’m new to this.
For aout 10 minutes. ๐
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
Yes, Torani syrup
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
Did you use pearl dust to make this glittery? The batch I have made doesnโt have the shine.
Yes