🍏 Welcome to lovewithrecipes.com, where we’re delighted to share with you a delightful Hard Apple Cider recipe that will surely elevate your beverage game! 🍎
Hard Apple Cider Recipe
Total Time: Approximately 2784 hours (3 months aging period)
Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 gallons FRESH apple juice 🍏
- 1/2 – 1 pound sugar (adjust based on your desired alcohol content) 🍚
- 1/2 teaspoon yeast energizer 🧪
- 1 campden tablet (crushed and dissolved in warm water) 🏺
- 1/4 teaspoon all-purpose wine yeast 🍷
Instructions:
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Prepare the Fresh Apple Juice Base:
- Begin by crushing and dissolving campden tablets in a cup of warm water. Mix this well with the FRESH apple juice in your primary fermenter. Let the mixture stand overnight.
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Initial Fermentation:
- After the overnight rest, mix in all other ingredients except yeast. Ensure that everything is dissolved properly. Sprinkle the all-purpose wine yeast over the top of the juice and cover the fermenter with a plastic sheet. Allow it to ferment for 3 to 5 days.
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Transfer to Secondary Fermenter:
- Rack (siphon) the mixture into a secondary fermenter and attach an airlock to facilitate a smooth fermentation process.
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Second Racking:
- After 3 weeks, perform a second racking to enhance the clarity and flavor of your hard cider.
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Sweetening and Bottling:
- When all fermentation is complete, rack the cider into a clean vessel. Add 2 oz of white sugar and gently stir until well mixed. (Pro tip: Dissolve sugar in a bit of water first by boiling it in the microwave.) Now, it’s time to bottle and age for 3 months.
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Achieving Crisp, Carbonated Perfection:
- Following the 3-month aging period, you’ll be rewarded with a crisp, carbonated hard cider that’s ready to be enjoyed. 🥂
Additional Tips:
- Play with the Sugar: The amount of sugar you add influences both the alcohol content and fermentation time. For a balanced result, consider adding 1/2 to 1 pound per gallon (4.5 liters), avoiding exceeding 2 lbs.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 306.2
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 14.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 76.7g
- Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugar: 72.8g
- Protein: 0.5g
User Ratings:
- Aggregated Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)
- Number of Reviews: 5
Final Thoughts:
Indulge in the art of crafting your very own Hard Apple Cider with this recipe, and savor the rewards of patience as you patiently wait for the flavors to develop over the 3-month aging period. This recipe is not just about making a beverage; it’s about creating an experience that tickles your taste buds with the crispness of apples and the effervescence of a well-crafted cider. Cheers to your home-brewed masterpiece! 🍻
