Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsChef Art Smith's Homecomin'Homecomin’ Moonshine Recipe

Homecomin’ Moonshine Recipe

Time3h
Serves10

Our signature moonshine, made from sugarcane.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Main Ingredients

Optional Flavorings

Method

Preparation

  1. 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. 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. 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. 4

    Flavoring (Optional)

    If desired, add 2 vanilla beans (split), 2 cinnamon sticks, and 5 cloves to the mixture for added flavor.

Fermentation

  1. 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

  1. 6

    Preparing for Distillation

    Once fermentation is complete, strain the mixture to remove any solids. Pour the liquid into a still for distillation.

  2. 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

  1. 8

    Bottling

    Once distillation is complete, allow the moonshine to cool. Bottle the moonshine in clean, sterilized containers. Seal tightly.

  2. 9

    Aging (Optional)

    For a smoother taste, allow the moonshine to age in wooden barrels or bottles for a few weeks to several months.

More from Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'