Candy Cane Wine

[Jayjay1976]

Why not just drink mouthwash...it's minty and it packs a buzz

 

[JordanfromOK]

Why not just drink mouthwash...it's minty and it packs a buzz

It tasted a lot like peppermint schnapps when I first racked it. Could be a good mixer with some hot chocolate.

 

[JordanfromOK]

This stuff is still sitting in the 1gal carboy. Slightly clearing and still off gassing. I give the poly cap a twist every couple weekends and still hissing at me.

 

[Newsman]

Just coming back to this thread after a long time away.
I have some sort of mint growing like crazy. I wonder how adding some of that to the candy can syrup would go?
Probably wouldn't hurt to include them in the carboy when fermenting. I mean there probably won't be any nasties living after the leaves have been boiled. Plus it would probably strengthen the mint flavor

 

[Erik the Awful]

I simmer mint leaves from the mint patch in my yard in water to make a mint tea for minty wines. It adds a very minty flavor, but almost no sugar.

 

[Lampy]

This recipe inspired me to buy the clearance candy canes (23c for 12) and start a brew. 60 candy canes (1.75lb) in 1gal + nutrient. That's it!
It is the first time I've used candies and also my first use of EC1118. From a dry pitch it started bubbling the airlock within 15min!

 

[Jayjay1976]

This recipe inspired me to buy the clearance candy canes (23c for 12) and start a brew. 60 candy canes (1.75lb) in 1gal + nutrient. That's it!
It is the first time I've used candies and also my first use of EC1118. From a dry pitch it started bubbling the airlock within 15min!
View attachment 869527

I'd be tempted to distill it.

 

[Raptor99]

Why not just use dried peppermint leaves? They have a more natural peppermint flavor. You would not have the artificial color, but a small amount of hibiscus could provide a red color.

 

[Lampy]

Why not just use dried peppermint leaves? They have a more natural peppermint flavor. You would not have the artificial color, but a small amount of hibiscus could provide a red color.

That occurred to me AFTER I had made it; my sons were ransacking the tea cabinet and I saw the peppermint tea. BUT I think this will certainly be interesting (I do love making novelty fermented drinks).

 

[Lampy]

I'd be tempted to distill it.

I'm not! My experience of peppermint schnapps was not horrendous, but it for me A Thing Not To Be Sought After.

 

[bwible]

Apex flavors makes candy cane flavor and they also make peppermint bark flavor. I used these in an imperial stout for a holiday beer for Christmas in 2024.

For those who might not know, Apex makes hundreds of flavors specifically for the alcoholic beverage industry.

I put real candy canes in the secondary and racked on top. I used a box of full sized candy canes for 3 gallons. I’m going to say I did not get alot of flavor from the candy canes. But you have to take into account the extra sugar. Don’t make a 10% or 10.5% beer and rack it on top of a bunch of candy canes, especially if you plan to bottle condition.

It turned out pretty good. Because chocolate and peppermint has never been done before, right? It was ok for a holiday beer and I like strong beers. Its not something I wanted to drink more than one of though. I still have about 9 left out of 30.

 

[bwible]

This recipe inspired me to buy the clearance candy canes (23c for 12) and start a brew. 60 candy canes (1.75lb) in 1gal + nutrient. That's it!
It is the first time I've used candies and also my first use of EC1118. From a dry pitch it started bubbling the airlock within 15min!
View attachment 869527

Or you could just dissolve some candy canes in a bottle of vodka. I’ve done that.

 

[Lampy]

Or you could just dissolve some candy canes in a bottle of vodka. I’ve done that.

True, but I've never been much of a liquor drinker; however, I have done a few vodka infusions for other recipes.

 

[Raptor99]

That occurred to me AFTER I had made it; my sons were ransacking the tea cabinet and I saw the peppermint tea. BUT I think this will certainly be interesting (I do love making novelty fermented drinks).

If you have even a little garden space, peppermint is easy to grow. Fresh peppermint is the best! I grow it in large pots and half-barrels, because if you put it in the ground it will spread and take over.

 

[Bobby_M]

Fermenting liquified candy canes definitely does not sound like someone posting from prison.

 

[Lampy]

I'd be tempted to distill it.

I ended up freezing the gallon of fermented candy cane juice and collecting about 20oz of run off. I chemically stabilized it and added 12 more candy canes to sweeten. Bottled it tonight and was pleasantly surprised that the "mouthwash" character has diminished.
So I went totally bonkers and mixed a couple oz left over from bottling with some chopped chocolate in a "velvetiser", resulting in peppermint patty shots!

 

[Jayjay1976]

I ended up freezing the gallon of fermented candy cane juice and collecting about 20oz of run off. I chemically stabilized it and added 12 more candy canes to sweeten. Bottled it tonight and was pleasantly surprised that the "mouthwash" character has diminished.
So I went totally bonkers and mixed a couple oz left over from bottling with some chopped chocolate in a "velvetiser", resulting in peppermint patty shots!

View attachment 874789

Freeze distillation? Girl, you are only thirty dollars away from an actual still.