JMSetzler
Well-Known Member
Here's yet another variation of Apfelwein. Ed's base recipe lends itself so well to modifications and variations. I don't know where I'll ever stop with this...
CiderBock:
Makes 3 gallons (size to whatever you want to make)
Ingredients:
3 gallons of apple juice with no additives/preservatives
2 lbs of corn sugar
1 pkg Montrachet yeast
3/4 teaspoon Potassium Sorbate (after fermentation to prevent refermentation)
Backsweetening Ingredients:
5 12 oz cans of apple juice concentrate (save two empty cans)
1 12 oz can (used from above) of brown sugar
1 12 oz can (used from above) of pure molasses
Directions:
Clean and sanitize all equipment!
Mix 3 gallons of apple juice and 2 lbs of corn sugar thoroughly until all corn sugar is completely dissolved in your fermenter (I use a better bottle for cider). After mixing, I let this sit for about an hour. Take a gravity reading (my OG was 1.070.) Add montrachet yeast, put an airlock on the fermenter, and ferment for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, add 3/4 teaspoon of potassium sorbate to the fermenter. This will neutralize the yeast so no additional fermentation will take place after you add the additional sweeteners. After adding the potassium sorbate, leave cider in the fermenter for at least 24 hours.
Take a gravity reading (my FG was 0.996 which gives an ABV of approximately 9.7% before adding sweeteners).
Transfer your cider to a bottling bucket.
Empty contents of 5 12 oz cans of frozen apple juice concentrate into a large bowl and set aside. Fill one of the empty 12 oz cans with pure molasses and dump into the bottling bucket. Fill another 12 oz can with brown sugar and dump into the bottling bucket. Stir the cider until the brown sugar and molasses are completely dissolved. This may take a few minutes. After completely dissolved, add the frozen (or thawed) apple juice concentrate and stir well.
Bottle and enjoy!
I estimate that the final ABV of this concoction is greater than 7.5%. I didn't bother to take the actual measurements for a true final content. I can, however, tell you that you should consume this very carefully. It's quite tasty and sweet and the alcohol will sneak up on you in a hurry...