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Post by Seven on Jan 15, 2021 8:34:06 GMT -6
I bought a variety pack of LorAnn flavorings...think I got 12 different, 1 dram vials for like $14. A dram doesn't sound like a lot but I probably used less than that to lightly flavor 2 gallons. I also only used 10 grams of sugar in 2 gallons so that's probably low enough to claim 0 sugar on the label. It's not enough to make it sweet but it seems to smooth the edges a bit.
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Post by gusso on Jan 15, 2021 8:48:44 GMT -6
I would use unsweetened flavoring.
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Post by Ken on Jan 15, 2021 8:56:10 GMT -6
This is interesting. On one hand I should just consider myself lucky that I know how to make beer but OTOH, I like to see things like this happen and hear the results. Having draft seltzer next to the pool at Gusso's house with his wife and her friends drinking it could be a good test of the product. Please keep us posted on the progress... I'd like to hear (and SEE!) the results.
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Post by jimdkc on Jan 16, 2021 15:50:09 GMT -6
I've looked into making hard seltzer a few times over the past few years but never took the plunge. I recently had an empty 3 gallon corny and a spot available in the kegerator so I decided to give it a whirl. There are 2 general approaches to making hard seltzer...fermenting a sugar solution (cheapest option) or using vodka (or other alcohol) and water (easiest option). Since i had a huge-arse bottle of cheap vodka that I used to use in my airlocks, I went for the cheap option. Using an online dilution calculator, I added roughly 900ml of 80 proof vodka to 7.1 liters of (tap) water to yield a 4.5% seltzer. I then added some blueberry and pear concentrates, sealed it up and put it on CO2. Once chilled down and slightly carbonated, I gave it a taste and the cheap vodka was pretty apparent but the taste was pretty one-dimensional. So I dissolved 7g of citric acid and 10g white sugar in some of the seltzer and added it back to the keg. I upped the pressure to get it carbed quicker and higher and the end result is pretty darn good! You can still pick up on the cheap vodka but it's not offensive to me nor my wife, although she's pushing me to use a better vodka next time. These things go down like water and are around 90 calories per 12 ounce pour if I calculated correctly. Has anyone else tried this? I have one word for you: Sobieski. |
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Post by Seven on Jan 19, 2021 7:29:29 GMT -6
I've looked into making hard seltzer a few times over the past few years but never took the plunge. I recently had an empty 3 gallon corny and a spot available in the kegerator so I decided to give it a whirl. There are 2 general approaches to making hard seltzer...fermenting a sugar solution (cheapest option) or using vodka (or other alcohol) and water (easiest option). Since i had a huge-arse bottle of cheap vodka that I used to use in my airlocks, I went for the cheap option. Using an online dilution calculator, I added roughly 900ml of 80 proof vodka to 7.1 liters of (tap) water to yield a 4.5% seltzer. I then added some blueberry and pear concentrates, sealed it up and put it on CO2. Once chilled down and slightly carbonated, I gave it a taste and the cheap vodka was pretty apparent but the taste was pretty one-dimensional. So I dissolved 7g of citric acid and 10g white sugar in some of the seltzer and added it back to the keg. I upped the pressure to get it carbed quicker and higher and the end result is pretty darn good! You can still pick up on the cheap vodka but it's not offensive to me nor my wife, although she's pushing me to use a better vodka next time. These things go down like water and are around 90 calories per 12 ounce pour if I calculated correctly. Has anyone else tried this? I have one word for you: Sobieski. Is this just cheap vodka or is it cheap and good vodka? We placed an order for Tito's since it was on sale in PA and my wife is pretty sensitive to cheap/bad vodkas. |
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Post by Ken on Jan 19, 2021 8:01:02 GMT -6
I have one word for you: Sobieski. Is this just cheap vodka or is it cheap and good vodka? We placed an order for Tito's since it was on sale in PA and my wife is pretty sensitive to cheap/bad vodkas. I'm not much of a vodka drinker but people that I know who are into it love Tito's. If you're trying to make a quality product you may as well use the good stuff. |
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Post by jimdkc on Jan 19, 2021 11:46:38 GMT -6
I have one word for you: Sobieski. Is this just cheap vodka or is it cheap and good vodka? We placed an order for Tito's since it was on sale in PA and my wife is pretty sensitive to cheap/bad vodkas. Sobieski is both cheap and good! (A rare combination!) |
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Post by drez on Jan 19, 2021 12:03:19 GMT -6
This just popped up in a de-mail  |
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Post by Seven on Jan 19, 2021 12:28:57 GMT -6
Thanks, drez...I got that too. I will eventually try my hand at a fermented seltzer...they seem a LOT less expensive than using a decent vodka (although I now have to try jimdkc's recommendation of Sobieski) but they present some challenges in terms of clearing and tasting as clean as a vodka seltzer. But we don't love this hobby because it's easy, right?
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Post by Ken on Jan 19, 2021 16:16:21 GMT -6
Very interesting.
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