Would you like to pamper your senses with your own spirits and make your own grape liqueur? Discover some easy preparation methods here!
If you have a rich grape harvest in the fall season, or simply want to make your own grape liqueur, there are a few options. Although this may seem difficult at first, the manufacturing process can be simplified with a few easy-to-follow steps. No special knowledge is required, although if you have a large supply of grapes you can prepare different versions of the drink. So if you are a lover of delicious and homemade alcohol, the following recipes can help you prepare it.
What should you consider if you want to make grape liqueur yourself?
Before you start with thePreparation of a fruity liqueurTo begin, it is important to consider a few factors. When you select the grapes for this, they should be ripe, sweet and aromatic enough to achieve a tasty result. The grape varieties most commonly used for such liqueurs are pink and white Muscat. However, some experts believe that some red and dark blue grape varieties are actually best suited in this case.
- One of the types of red wine that is ideal for preparing such liqueurs is the popular Isabella.
- Another tried and tested variant would be its closest relative, which is a little lighter, namely the Lydia.
- If you are an inexperienced producer, experts recommend these two varieties as a choice for your own alcoholic beverages.
- Otherwise, during the preparation process it is important to ensure hygiene at the production site and to find the right equipment and utensils.
- You also shouldn't allow mold to form in your future alcohol if you make your own grape liqueur.
- Water quality is also an important factor, although it would be better to use spring water.
The following recipe ideas mainly use the Isabella variety, but you can also replace it with other suitable grape varieties. Gather your supplies first and be patient to let the grapes ferment well and get the best results.
Low alcohol grape liqueur recipe
To prepare a light drink, you can use 2 kg of grapes, 500 to 750 g of sugar, depending on the sweetness of the grapes and 500 ml of water.
- First, remove the grapes from the ridges and carefully sort out the individual pieces, as rotten grapes can irrevocably spoil the taste of the liqueur.
- Then make a syrup from the water and sugar by bringing the two ingredients to the boil in a saucepan. Then let the syrup cool down thoroughly.
- First use a 3 liter jar and lightly crush the grapes in it before pouring the cooled syrup over them. The level of sugar syrup should exceed the mass of the grapes by approximately 3 centimeters.
- Next, you should tie the neck of the fermenter with gauze.
- Then place the jar in a dark and dry place with a temperature of 18 to 25 ° C before fermentation begins. If the substance has not yet fermented on the third day, you can crush a few grapes or add a handful of raisins.
- When fermentation begins, there should be foam, hissing, and a sour smell. Only then can you close the jar with a lid with a water seal or put a rubber glove with a small hole in one of the fingers over your neck.
- Again, keep the fermenter in a dark and dry place until fermentation is complete in about 6 weeks. If the weather is warm, you can also let the jars ferment in the sun to speed up the process. Just make sure that moisture and pests don't get in or that mold doesn't form.
- After that, observing whether the glove falls off or whether bubbles still form, strain the finished substance through dense gauze or filter.
- Bottle the liqueur and store it in the cellar or refrigerator.
Use grappa as a base and make your own white grape liqueur
This is another easy recipe idea that you can use white grape varieties for. In this example, 500 g of white grapes, 2 tablespoons of rock sugar, 70 ml of water and 500 ml of 38% grappa (grape schnapps) were used.
- First, sort out the grapes and wash each piece before cutting them all in half and putting them in a pot with rock candy and water.
- Then let the grapes simmer with the lid closed for about 5 minutes until a puree forms.
- First put everything in a well-sealable mason jar or other container and pour in the grappa.
- In this case, too, let the substance steep and ferment in a dark, cool place for about 6 weeks, shaking the fermentation container occasionally.
- As soon as the fermentation is complete, you should make the grape liqueur yourself by filtering it again and filling it into bottles.
- This recipe makes approximately 1 liter of finished liqueur.
Make your own spicy grape liqueur from juice
The Isabella grape variety is also suitable in this case if your goal is to make your own red grape juice. For this recipe you need about 1 liter of grape juice, which you mix with the same amount of vodka, schnapps or pure alcohol as a base. You also need to add about 500-750 g of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of black tea, 1-2 bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of vanillin and 5 pieces of black peppercorns.
- First, mix all ingredients in a larger bottle or other sealable container.
- Then, close the bottle or chosen container and let the ingredients steep for about a week, shaking occasionally.
- Then strain the substance and pour the liquor into bottles with wine corks.
- Store the spicy grape liqueur for at least another month until it is ready to drink.
