Limeade (margarita wine)

[Hollie]

Good morning Apple Jack. I pulled the pee out of the primary. It looks nothing like yours though. I didn't add anything to it once I put it in the secondary because skeeter pees website confused me a bit. Not sure if to add campden and such now or later when I rack again? Anyhoodle, how does it look at this stage? Is this normal? It smells like banana and lime.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

Good morning Apple Jack. I pulled the pee out of the primary. It looks nothing like yours though. I didn't add anything to it once I put it in the secondary because skeeter pees website confused me a bit. Not sure if to add campden and such now or later when I rack again? Anyhoodle, how does it look at this stage? Is this normal? It smells like banana and lime.

Did you do the step that calls out using Sparkalloid? That clears it up significantly. Also, did you use light or dark brown sugar and how much? Mine was darker but just as cloudy. Since I racked it, it still is dark, but not cloudy anymore. Maybe the banana yeast slurry you used lightened it up also. How does it taste?

 

[Hollie]

I used light brown sugar in the amounts your recipes called for. I can taste it now? Well let me get on that. No I thought I use sparkaloid when I rack it the second time?

 

[Hollie]

Wooo weee Apple Jack! It is sour! And banana-ee. I dig it! A little rough going down. Is it too late to add sparkaloid? As I have too order it online. Yowser that made me warm haha. That's the first time I tried a homebrew.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

Yes, when you rack it a second time you add the Sparkalloid. You can taste test your stuff any time you want really. yours sounds like its going to taste good. The tartness will mellow a little the longer it goes, but if mine is any indication, it won't go away completely.

 

[Hollie]

Woo Apple Jack. I'm on my second rack. This stuff is absolutely delicious! Since I'm on my second rack, I added my k-meta, sorbate, and sparklloid. Honestly, it cleared up nicely before adding sparklloid. I might not use it on this again since I like the amber almost clear color. This recipe is a Keeper. I'm at 9.97% ABV and am happy that it will kick my butt! So my question is, the skeeter pee site calls for this second rack to sit for two weeks, then to rack again and THEN add the sugar? Why? In other words, why can't I just add the sugar into this same Carboy in two weeks? Is there gonna be that much more sediment to even bother?

 

[Hollie]

Oh and the tartness has mellowed significantly. this recipe will be passed down to my children!

 

[Apple_Jacker]

Awesome, I'm glad it is working out for you too! Adding the sugar to backsweeten is optional. If you low the taste as-is, then don't bother with it. You would rack onto the sugar to help mix it in with your wine. I forgot to add the k meta and sorbate, so ill have to add that when I have time.

 

[novalou]

Woo Apple Jack. I'm on my second rack. This stuff is absolutely delicious! Since I'm on my second rack, I added my k-meta, sorbate, and sparklloid. Honestly, it cleared up nicely before adding sparklloid. I might not use it on this again since I like the amber almost clear color. This recipe is a Keeper. I'm at 9.97% ABV and am happy that it will kick my butt! So my question is, the skeeter pee site calls for this second rack to sit for two weeks, then to rack again and THEN add the sugar? Why? In other words, why can't I just add the sugar into this same Carboy in two weeks? Is there gonna be that much more sediment to even bother?

I'd rack when needed. You want to add sugar only when the wine is clear and not dropping any more sediment. Otherwise fermentation will continue.

 

[Hollie]

I'd rack when needed. You want to add sugar only when the wine is clear and not dropping any more sediment. Otherwise fermentation will continue.

Gotcha! There's a bit of sediment still. Thanks for the tip

 

[Hollie]

Good morning! I am wondering, the skeeter pee site says to add sugar and stir til dissolved. Is it okay to add the sugar by turning it into a simple syrup instead? Or is there a reason that it be granulated? Thanks

 

[Clifton]

I've done it both ways. With the syrup you can pour it into the new carboy and transfer. No stirring. Either way works though.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

Both ways, eh? How kinky. I've also done both, but dissolving it first makes more sense to me.

 

[Hollie]

Hey Apple Jack. my wine cleared and I sweetened it. It is absolutely the best stuff ever! My first home brew ready to drink! Anyway, it does taste like margarita mix. I am ready to make more because this wont last. In changing the recipe, have you tried mixing orange in this? By chance? To replicate the orange liquer in a margarita?

 

[Hollie]

I cannot believe how good this is. Whoa!

 

[Apple_Jacker]

This is the first time I've made this recipe so I haven't tried any new variations yet. I actually haven't even bottled it yet haha.

 

[Clifton]

Jack Keller, wine guru, suggests sweetening with Finest Call Triple Sec syrup.

http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/wineblog13.asp

That is what I'm planning on doing.

 

[castti]

This was made and ready for consumption in a four day period? Asking as it sounds like something fun for Thanksgiving.

 

[Hollie]

This was made and ready for consumption in a four day period? Asking as it sounds like something fun for Thanksgiving.

Mine took 10 days. In total. Only because I had to let the key lime flavor mellow a little. Right now it is perfect to my tongue. I like sour though.

 

[Hollie]

I'm sorry I lied. 17 days total lol.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

I started mine over 5 weeks ago, but I have yet to bottle it. If I'm not travelling this weekend, ill get around to doing it then.

 

[castti]

Thank you for the info. This is the next pail project.

 

[castti]

I started mine over 5 weeks ago, but I have yet to bottle it. If I'm not travelling this weekend, ill get around to doing it then.

Bottling, for the first time there are two bottles of wine finished on the shelf. Now, what to do with them. You say you have "yet to bottle it". Is bottling a must? The blackberry wine was made in big one gallon glass bottles. Does that qualify as "bottling it" as bottling it is synonymous with being done, in my head? An off point question for you, when bottled, do the bottles go in the fridge or the pantry?

 

[Apple_Jacker]

Bottling, for the first time there are two bottles of wine finished on the shelf. Now, what to do with them. You say you have "yet to bottle it". Is bottling a must? The blackberry wine was made in big one gallon glass bottles. Does that qualify as "bottling it" as bottling it is synonymous with being done, in my head? An off point question for you, when bottled, do the bottles go in the fridge or the pantry?

Seeing how you are using a 1 gallon bottle, I wouldnt bother bottling, but if you start drinking on it, then I would store it in the fridge. When I bottled my skeeter pee, they went straight to the pantry. I prefer them cold however, so I out one in the fridge, then replace it with a warm one when I drink the cold one. When I make 1 gallon batches if cider, I never bottle them...except the last one so I can experiment with carbing and pasteurization.
Technically, wine is "done" before you bottle. Unless you plan on aging in the bottle, I suppose.

 

[castti]

Thank you.

 

[castti]

Started the recipe today. It smells so good. Looking forward to adding the starter tomorrow.

 

[castti]

I have been watching the starter for about 10 hours now. Truly amazing the show that mason jar has supplied. This would be an interesting science project. Took a video and put it on Facebook. Amazing! So impatiently waiting for 5 pm so I can see what it does in the pail. ????? Is the specific gravity to be done before or after putting the starter in the pail???????

 

[Apple_Jacker]

I have been watching the starter for about 10 hours now. Truly amazing the show that mason jar has supplied. This would be an interesting science project. Took a video and put it on Facebook. Amazing! So impatiently waiting for 5 pm so I can see what it does in the pail. ????? Is the specific gravity to be done before or after putting the starter in the pail???????

Beforehand

 

[castti]

Thank you.

 

[FTG-05]

This is the best stuff I've ever made bar none!!!

The downside is that it's so strong, I can't drink all that much or I get headaches. So, what I do is mix about two fingers with my homebrew beer and oh man!!! There be good times to be had with this combo!!!

I've already started collecting the lime juice in preparation for my next batch!!!!

Thanks AppleJacker!!!!!!