Homecomin’ Moonshine Recipe
Our signature moonshine, made from sugarcane.
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Ingredients
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Main Ingredients
Optional Flavorings
Method
Preparation
- 1
Juicing the Sugarcane
Begin by extracting juice from fresh sugarcane. You can use a sugarcane juicer or a heavy-duty blender. Strain the juice to remove any pulp.
- 2
Mixing Ingredients
In a large fermentation vessel, combine the freshly extracted sugarcane juice with 5 cups of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- 3
Adding Yeast
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of yeast over the mixture. Do not stir immediately; let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
- 4
Flavoring (Optional)
If desired, add 2 vanilla beans (split), 2 cinnamon sticks, and 5 cloves to the mixture for added flavor.
Fermentation
- 5
Cover and Wait
Cover the fermentation vessel with a clean cloth or airlock and let it sit at room temperature (around 70-75°F) for 5-7 days. Check daily for bubbling, which indicates active fermentation.
Distillation
- 6
Preparing for Distillation
Once fermentation is complete, strain the mixture to remove any solids. Pour the liquid into a still for distillation.
- 7
Distilling the Moonshine
Heat the still slowly to separate the alcohol from the mash. Collect the distillate in a glass container. Take care to discard the first few ounces (the 'heads') as they contain undesirable compounds.
Final Steps
- 8
Bottling
Once distillation is complete, allow the moonshine to cool. Bottle the moonshine in clean, sterilized containers. Seal tightly.
- 9
Aging (Optional)
For a smoother taste, allow the moonshine to age in wooden barrels or bottles for a few weeks to several months.





