Dekuyper Buttershots 1.75L

DeKuyper Buttershots 1.75L is a butterscotch-flavored schnapps liqueur bottled at 15% ABV (30 proof) in a handle-sized 1.75-liter format. Produced by DeKuyper Royal Distillers — a company named Liqueur Producer of the Year for five consecutive years by the International Spirits Challenge — Buttershots delivers an unmistakably rich, candy-like butterscotch character that has made it a staple behind home and professional bars alike.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Schiedam, Netherlands  |  Style: Butterscotch Schnapps Liqueur  |  Distillery: DeKuyper Royal Distillers

Production & Heritage

DeKuyper Royal Distillers traces its origins to Schiedam, Netherlands, a city historically renowned for its distilling tradition. The company employs an array of pot stills and Alambique stills alongside modern equipment, utilizing both infusion — steeping botanicals in alcohol for hours to weeks — and distillation to extract flavors. Low-pressure distillation techniques allow stills to operate at reduced temperatures, producing fresher, more vibrant flavor profiles rather than heavy or overcooked notes. Buttershots applies these methods to deliver a butterscotch character that reads as indulgent without being cloying at its modest 15% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm and inviting, the nose opens with rich melted butter that transitions into brown sugar sweetness. There is a distinct candy-like butterscotch quality reminiscent of unwrapping a fresh piece of butterscotch hard candy.

Taste: The palate is immediately sweet and buttery, landing squarely on melted butterscotch from the first sip. Mid-palate, brown sugar and a creamy, almost toffee-like richness build and coat the tongue. The sweetness is pronounced and appropriate for a candy-inspired liqueur, though the relatively low proof keeps it from becoming overwhelming.

Finish: The finish is smooth and medium in length, leaving a lingering butterscotch and caramelized sugar impression. A light buttery warmth fades gently without any harsh bite.

How to Drink Buttershots

Buttershots is most commonly enjoyed chilled as a shot or used as a cocktail ingredient rather than sipped neat like a spirit-forward liqueur. Its low proof and intensely sweet profile make it a natural mixer.

• Buttery Nipple: The classic pairing with Irish cream liqueur creates a layered shot with contrasting textures and complementary caramel-butterscotch flavor.
• Butterscotch Martini: Combined with vanilla vodka and a splash of cream, Buttershots forms the backbone of this dessert-style cocktail.
• Caramel Apple Shot: Mixed with sour apple schnapps, the butterscotch balances the tart green apple for a nostalgic candy-inspired combination.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for dessert cocktails and party shots
• Hosting holiday gatherings where sweet, crowd-pleasing drinks are in demand
• Adding a butterscotch element to coffee drinks and after-dinner warm cocktails
• High-volume entertaining where the 1.75L handle format reduces the need for frequent restocking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Buttershots taste like? Buttershots tastes like liquid butterscotch candy — rich, sweet, and buttery with prominent melted brown sugar and toffee notes. At 15% ABV, it has minimal alcohol heat and drinks as a sweet, dessert-oriented liqueur.

How does Buttershots compare to Hiram Walker Butterscotch Schnapps? Both occupy the same butterscotch schnapps category, but DeKuyper Buttershots is widely regarded as having a richer, more buttery profile, while Hiram Walker tends toward a lighter, slightly thinner body. DeKuyper also benefits from the company's Dutch distilling heritage and range of extraction techniques including low-pressure distillation.

Is Buttershots good for cocktails? Buttershots is primarily a cocktail and shot ingredient rather than a sipping liqueur. Its intense butterscotch sweetness and low ABV make it ideal for layered shots like the Buttery Nipple and dessert-style mixed drinks.

Where is Buttershots made? Buttershots is produced by DeKuyper Royal Distillers, based in Schiedam, Netherlands. Schiedam has a centuries-long distilling history and remains one of the most recognized spirits-producing cities in the Netherlands.

What foods pair well with Buttershots? Vanilla ice cream or gelato benefits from a drizzle of Buttershots as a dessert topping. Warm apple pie or apple crisp mirrors the caramel and brown sugar notes. Salted caramel brownies amplify the toffee character with a contrasting salt note. Pecan pralines complement the buttery sweetness, and warm bread pudding with butterscotch sauce creates a cohesive dessert pairing.

What sizes does Buttershots come in? DeKuyper Buttershots is available in several sizes including 750ml and this 1.75L handle format, which is the largest standard option and the most economical choice per ounce for regular use.

Is Buttershots worth the price? Buttershots positions as an affordable, entry-level liqueur in the flavored schnapps category. The 1.75L format in particular delivers strong value for anyone who uses butterscotch schnapps regularly in cocktails, shots, or entertaining.

Why Buttershots?

DeKuyper's multi-century Dutch distilling expertise gives Buttershots a production pedigree that most competing butterscotch schnapps brands cannot match. The company's use of both pot stills and Alambique stills, combined with low-pressure distillation techniques, yields a butterscotch flavor that tastes rich and fresh rather than artificially flat. The International Spirits Challenge has recognized DeKuyper as Liqueur Producer of the Year five years running — a distinction that extends across the entire portfolio but reflects the quality standards applied to every expression, Buttershots included. For anyone building cocktails, pouring shots, or looking for a reliable butterscotch liqueur in a high-volume 1.75L format, this remains the benchmark in its category.