Ranch Water

[TrickyDick]

Howdy!

Been a bit inactive as a homebrewer. Availability of great commercial beer is the primary reason plus none of my friends ever help me drink and its too much for one person. Also, I am beginning to suspect I may be developing a gluten allergy... That could eventually bring me around to brewing again.

I have been enjoying watching that Yellowstone show and picked up a four pack of some "Ranch Water" at the local store.
The kind I like is made by "Ranch Rider" out of Austin. I Like the Jalapeno flavor
I'm trying to replicate it. Keg and force carbonation.

So far here is what I have:

Target 6% ABV x 5 gallons.

3L Reposado Tequila
dilute to 5 gallons
12 limes juiced - previous early experience with citrus and brewing is that essential oils in the peels kills head retention on beer, but this is seltzer.
Maybe this isn't enough for 5 gallons.
Jalapenos - Juiced (Yeah I got one of those juicers but I hate it and want to sell it - boxed it back up, but I can bust it out for this) Not sure how many, maybe 12
Option would be to make a sachet of dried flaked jalapenos - I have some, but probably not enough for 5 gallons.

I'm thinking maybe some Salt will help the flavor. What kind of water are folks using? I was thinking to just buy store brand drinking or spring water, maybe sparkling water to speed the carbonation time though.

Going to be expensive to buy the tequilla so I really don't want to screw it up and dump it.

First stab at a "hard seltzer" but non-fermented since I'm using tequila

 

[IslandLizard]

Since you're diluting it in almost 5x the volume of water, then add a bunch of hot peppers and potentially other stuff to it, I'd use a much cheaper Tequila. I seriously doubt one could taste the difference in the end.

You could soak a bunch of toasted oak chips or spirals in the (cheaper) Tequila for a week or 2 before adding.

Maybe make a small test batch first, to see if you like or hate it?

 

[Rish]

Howdy!

Been a bit inactive as a homebrewer. Availability of great commercial beer is the primary reason plus none of my friends ever help me drink and its too much for one person. Also, I am beginning to suspect I may be developing a gluten allergy... That could eventually bring me around to brewing again.

I have been enjoying watching that Yellowstone show and picked up a four pack of some "Ranch Water" at the local store.
The kind I like is made by "Ranch Rider" out of Austin. I Like the Jalapeno flavor
I'm trying to replicate it. Keg and force carbonation.

So far here is what I have:

Target 7% ABV x 5 gallons.

3294ml Reposado Tequila
15530ml Water
12 limes juiced - previous early experience with citrus and brewing is that essential oils in the peels kills head retention on beer, but this is seltzer.
Maybe this isn't enough for 5 gallons.
Jalapenos - Juiced (Yeah I got one of those juicers but I hate it and want to sell it - boxed it back up, but I can bust it out for this) Not sure how many, maybe 12
Option would be to make a sachet of dried flaked jalapenos - I have some, but probably not enough for 5 gallons.

I'm thinking maybe some Salt will help the flavor. What kind of water are folks using? I was thinking to just buy store brand drinking or spring water, maybe sparkling water to speed the carbonation time though.

Going to be expensive to buy the tequilla so I really don't want to screw it up and dump it.

First stab at a "hard seltzer" but non-fermented since I'm using tequila

You could make a tincture by slicing and soaking the jalapenos in the tequila or some vodka for a week or so, shaking a couple of times a day to extract flavor and heat. That's what I do for herbs, spices, etc. That way you don't have to unbox the juicer!

 

[TrickyDick]

Since you're diluting it in almost 5x the volume of water, then add a bunch of hot peppers and potentially other stuff to it, I'd use a much cheaper Tequila. It seriously doubt one could taste the difference in the end.

You could soak a bunch of toasted oak chips or spirals in the (cheaper) Tequila for a week or 2 before adding.

Maybe make a small test batch first, to see if you like or hate it?

this is probably true

 

[TrickyDick]

Per the official webpage of the Ranch Water I am trying to replicate, they use a 100% agave reposado tequila from Mexico they contract with. Just trying to copy so I think reposado I'll use, but I may make an experiment to see if I can tell the difference between reposado or the regular un-barreled silver type tequila. Seems to me that I'll need 2 x 1.75L and will have leftover. I see my local retailer sells a 90 point "lagado" brand for $32, so basically I'll need $64 for two. Not terrible.

 

[superiorsat]

Ranch water seems expensive after you add up everything you mentioned to get only 5 gallons of 7% alcohol. Looks like you can buy it for just over a $1 a can. Just over 53 cans in a keg so other than for fun seems like it is cheaper just to buy it.

 

[bwible]

Their website says its 4%. Most of the hard seltzers are around that. Legado is one of Total Wine’s brands and we buy that one. It’s decent, especially at the price. They make a reposado.

To go 4% you wouldn’t need much more than a 1.75L

2.3L of 40% alcohol (80 proof)
Mixed with
20.70 liters of water
Produce
23 liters with 4% alcohol

I just did very similar to this to make a seltzer on a 3 gallon scale. I used a 1.75L of lime flavored vodka (I got the Burnetts, I think it was about $12) and mixed that in a 3 gallon keg with water. Force carb. I added some additional flavoring. The calculator says it should be about 6.5%.

 

[IslandLizard]

Their website says its 4%.

The picture of the can of Jalapeno Ranch Water reads 5.99% ABV, as do all their Seltzers.
https://www.ranchriderspirits.com/
That makes it a little more enticing.
I still think it's a bit of a waste of what's supposed to be a decent Reposado Tequila.

 

[TrickyDick]

Ranch water seems expensive after you add up everything you mentioned to get only 5 gallons of 7% alcohol. Looks like you can buy it for just over a $1 a can. Just over 53 cans in a keg so other than for fun seems like it is cheaper just to buy it.

is actually 5,99% ABV. I’ve adjusted the ”recipe” to reflect 3L 80 proof in 20L/5gal is close to 6%

if it cost $1 a can I would just buy it, but it is significantly more, sold in four packs $13 each plus tax.

 

[TrickyDick]

And actually, I may make it to a lesser % so as to enjoy more and have it refreshing. Can always add more tequila. I disagree about “wasting” a nice reposado. Anejo yes, but reposado, no. Similar to mixing scotch drink with a blend like Johnny Walker Red in my opinion.

 

[superiorsat]

Hmm. I tried to go back to www.sidewalkspirits today and they had 1 355ml bottle price is $12.99 when I pick 12 355ml bottles price is still $12.99 so I feel like they are messed up some how. That is why I though it was around a $1 a can. Shipping was $15ish so still not a super bargain if they would sell 12 cans for $12.99. Good luck on making your version.

 

[Brooothru]

Anejo yes, but reposado, no. Similar to mixing scotch drink with a blend like Johnny Walker Red in my opinion.

Agree with the premise ( anjeo, "Si," reposado, "NO"!).

But Johnny Walker Red? Is that really considered 'Scotch' wisky? Give me a good Islay or Speyside single malt (NEAT), but "mixing Scotch drink" and "Johnny Walker" are mutually exclusive items. Mixing Scotch with anything other than, maybe, a single ice cube is tantamount to a capital offense!

 

[TrickyDick]

Agree with the premise ( anjeo, "Si," reposado, "NO"!).

But Johnny Walker Red? Is that really considered 'Scotch' wisky? Give me a good Islay or Speyside single malt (NEAT), but "mixing Scotch drink" and "Johnny Walker" are mutually exclusive items. Mixing Scotch with anything other than, maybe, a single ice cube is tantamount to a capital offense!

I agree 100%. Well typically I add a splash of water and occasionally ice, but I digress. No mixed scotch drinks for me. My brother in law likes rob roy, like a Manhattan but with scotch. In that case, use the cheap stuff.

 

[Brooothru]

Here's a bottle my son-in-law brought me back from a recent trip to Mexico.

You probably can't read the label, but it's a reposada infused with jalapeño. You may notice that there is about "2 shots' worth" missing from the bottle. Quite tasty, but also quite HOT ! Muy calore. Con mucho fuego!

It would no doubt make an interesting Ranch Water.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

Here's a bottle my son-in-law brought me back from a recent trip to Mexico.

View attachment 775315
You probably can't read the label, but it's a reposada infused with jalapeño. You may notice that there is about "2 shots' worth" missing from the bottle. Quite tasty, but also quite HOT ! Muy calore. Con mucho fuego!

It would no doubt make an interesting Ranch Water.

I bet it would make a good frozen margarita

 

[Dr_Jeff]

My brother in law likes rob roy, like a Manhattan but with scotch. In that case, use the cheap stuff.

Feed him the cheap bar well scotch or Beams five star whiskey and tell him that it is the good stuff.

 

[Brooothru]

I bet it would make a good frozen margarita

After the fire went out (post shots) I did try a small amount in some Margarita mix. There was just too much competition between the flavors to be enjoyable. I think straight-up shots might be the only way to consume this. I do like the taste of jalapeño and also habernaro peppers, but I'm not into heat as much as I was in my younger years.

 

[TrickyDick]

Agreed. I like the Jalapeno ranch water. Just a bit of spice to make it interesting and refreshing.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

After the fire went out (post shots) I did try a small amount in some Margarita mix. There was just too much competition between the flavors to be enjoyable. I think straight-up shots might be the only way to consume this. I do like the taste of jalapeño and also habernaro peppers, but I'm not into heat as much as I was in my younger years.

I had a spicy margarita in Anchorage and it was mighty tasty, so that is where I was coming from.

 

[Brooothru]

I had a spicy margarita in Anchorage and it was mighty tasty, so that is where I was coming from.

Certainly not The Great Alaskan Bush Company, dare I ask?

 

[Dr_Jeff]

Certainly not The Great Alaskan Bush Company, dare I ask?

I did not visit the establishment, although I heard about it.
It was at 61* Tequilia on Fifth Avenue at G Street, they have great food.