Can I backsweeten after carbonation?

[asdfghjkl123]

I'm about to bottle some elderflower champagne but it's not really to my taste at the moment (very strong, dry and yeasty).

I was thinking of adding sweetener to help but would prefer to do this after carbonation just so I can see how it tastes without it (maybe it won't be necessary once there's some bubbles!)

Is this advisable or is it better to add during the bottling process? I am talking about something non fermentable like Erythritol or Xylitol.

I am bottling in strong glass swingtops. It's fully fermented at the moment so I will also be priming with sugar to get some fizz.

 

[lumpher]

When I want to backsweeten, I do it before carbonation. Doing it after carbing is not only a little dangerous, but as you need to stir in the solution (e.g. Xylitol dissolved in water), you're knocking out some of the carbonation. In short, it's too unpredictable and I wouldn't do it. Others may know more about this, so only take this as my advice and not gospel, but I wouldn't do it.

 

[Rish]

I always backsweeten before carbonation as well. After it's carbed if it needs it I just sweeten in the glass. Good luck!

 

[mashdar]

You might consider sweetening at serving?

If you do add to the bottle:

• Do not use dry ingredients. They will foam like crazy.
• Consider chilling the beverage to 30F to 32F if possible.
• Chill the liquid sweetener to 32F if at all possible.
• If you put a cap on loosely and let it sit, CO2 may purge the headspace a bit.
• But if you carbonated over 3 volumes, you may need to cap on foam asap.
• IMO don't worry about mixing unless you need to drink it soon.

 

[mashdar]

Oh, and:

• Use only non-fermentable sweeteners
• Consider how you are measuring per-bottle doses. A syringe may be a good choice.
• If using a syringe, try to spray the sidewall of the bottle neck. Spraying straight into the beverage may cause foaming.
• Method of delivery may need some experimenting.

 

[BrewZer]

I would just pour a bit of simple syrup into the serving glass before pouring.