DIY Butterbeer Moonshine
This easy DIY Butterbeer Vodka is a magical take on the DIY Moonshine trend that is sweeping Pinterest. It makes a great gift for a Harry Potter fan, or a sweet cocktail mix for a Harry Potter marathon!
Recently, my friend came over for a Harry Potter movie night and brought with her this DIY Butterbeer Moonshine.
Now, it’s not really moonshine. It’s a high-proof vodka with homemade flavorings which is a lot more fun to call moonshine, but you don’t have to worry about breaking any laws or setting up a bathroom still with this recipe!
Basically, you make a homemade butterscotch syrup and flavor high-proof vodka with it for a few days. My friend then combined it with apple cider and vanilla vodka which she found perfect – but since we just got back from Universal Studios, I knew that it needed a touch of cream soda so I added a splash when serving.
She used my trick for adding sparkly edible cake glitter to give this homemade butterbeer vodka a shimmery, luminescent quality that is perfect for a magical touch! Make sure to give your jar a shake before pouring to ensure every drink gets a bit of sparkle (as the glitter will settle over time).
Tip: I often order my liquor from Drizly because they have a quick delivery time (sometimes within 40 minutes) and no expensive mark-ups. Purchasing from them supports local retailers, too. You can order the vodka needed for this recipe from them.
Ingredients for Butterbeer Moonshine
- High-proof Vodka <– for example, Everclear
- Vanilla Vodka
- Water
- Light Brown Sugar
- Butter Extract
- Gold edible cake glitter
- Clear cream soda, for serving (I used Fanta)
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Saucepan
- Mason Jars
I really loved using my gorgeous Omishome Bartending Kit to make this recipe. The pretty bamboo holder contains all of the tools you need to make perfect cocktails, and those pretty gold tools add a touch of class to your home bar set-up.
How to Make Butterbeer Moonshine
Combine water and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
When cool, add in butter extract.
Store in airtight container in the refrigerator until use.
Divide your buttered brown sugar syrup among your 4 mason jars.
Add 1 cup Everclear and 1/2 cup vodka to each mason jar.
Close and seal the lids then shake the jars vigorously for a minute.
Place the jars in a cool dark place for a week or two (maximum 30 days or the jar can explode).
Shake them at least once or twice a day.
When ready to enjoy, stir in 1-2 vials of gold edible cake glitter, depending on preference.
Serve with clear cream soda (like Fanta) and enjoy!
Pin this easy Sparkly Cocktail recipe:
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DIY Butterbeer Moonshine
Alcoholic butterbeer recipe - how to make butterbeer flavored vodka recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Everclear (high proof vodka)
- 2 cups Vanilla Vodka
- 4oz Buttered brown sugar Simple Syrup ( 1 oz in each jar )
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp butter extract
- Gold edible cake glitter
- Clear cream soda or apple cider, for serving
Instructions
- Combine water and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- When cool, add in butter extract.
- Store in airtight container in the refrigerator until use.
- Divide your buttered brown sugar syrup among your 4 mason jars.
- Add 1 cup Everclear and 1/2 cup vodka to each mason jar.
- Close and seal the lids.
- Shake the jars vigorously for a minute.
- Place the jars in a cool dark place for a week or two (maximum 30 days or the jar can explode).
- Shake them at least once or twice a day.
- When ready to enjoy, stir in 1-2 vials of gold edible cake glitter, depending on preference.
- Serve with apple cider or cream soda - about 4oz to every 1oz of the flavored vodka.
Notes
Can add 2 tsp. fresh Ginger ( 1/2 tsp. in each jar ) to add some bite to this recipe.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
32Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 0g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
What do you think of this homemade flavored vodka trend? Have you tried any recipes for yourself?
For more movie-themed treats, check out our Pirates of the Caribbean Movie Night or our Princess & the Frog movie night.
This recipe doesn’t make sense. The ratio of alcohol to syrup/cider is off. You are only flavoring 12 oz of alcohol with 5 oz
When do you add in the ginger and apple cider? They are listed in the ingredients but not mentioned in the steps?
Hi Alyssa, sorry for the confusion – the apple cider is an option instead of the cream soda for serving based on personal preference. I’ve updated the recipe card to be more clear, thank you for pointing it out.
Why would the jar explode after 30 days? Moonshine is supposed to taste better the longer it sits.
I’ve personally never had this happen. In fact, I just today found a jar of cherry vodka that I had forgotten about in my pantry that was there for at least a year. I’ve gone based on advice that I’ve read when I caution on the 30 days due to using fresh fruit (as they can release gasses).