Mulled Cider to Hard Mulled Cider

Gents - I want your opinion on this...

I have this awesome tasting Mullied Cider Recipe. With a little tweaking, I think this would make a good hard cider too. Mainly because of the mulling spices and the use of cranberry juice.

FYI - All cranberry juice is diluted with grape juice.



My questions or things to ponder...

1.) How important is the preservative-free requirement? I normally see asorbic acid as an additive in juices in the grociery store. Would this be a problem? I believe its used as an antioxident. HB for dummies says it can be added to beer at 1/2 tsp at bottling (per 5 gal). It probably has the same purpose here.

2.) The cranberry-grape juice balances the sweetness of the apple juice similiar to hops in beer. Any ideas of how this would ferment out flavorwise? Bitter, neutal
or sweet?

3.) Yeast Suggestions???? Yeast Nutrients ????

Obviously, leave out the butter in this case!!!

What do you think? - Thanks!!!!

FYI - Doing the math, a recipe factor 4.5x = 5 gal. or 2x =2.25gal

I'm surprised, nobody has an opinion on this?

I can't offer much advice because I've never brewed cider, but I'd recommend leaving out the butter. The fats and oils will kill your head formation and retention.

As far as preservatives, I've read that it's recommended to use preservative-free juices when fermenting.

You must avoid any juice with preservitives. Ascorbic acid is fine as it is just vitamin C that is added to preserve the color (keep it from going brown).

I have something similar that has been aging for a couple of months. One thing to be aware of is that the cranberry juice can make it tart even with the grape/apple mixture. I would recommend adding a can of concentrate for each 1 to 2 gallons and then a second after fermentation subsides.

For yeasts, I would recommend either Nottinghams, Wyeasts "Sweet Mead" yeast or Windsor. I have tried about half a dozen yeasts and I am currently experimenting with US-56 (so far so good). Just remember, the secret to great cider is time (i.e. patience). Good luck with this.

PS You might consider saving the Vanilla for secondary. I found that in my early batches it tends to get scrubbed out in primary. Just a thought.