Simple Seven Step Everclear Moonshine Creation: Our Recipes!

everclear moonshine recipe

Table of Contents

Introduction

Welcome to the world of moonshine, where artistry and tradition meet. In this blog post, we’ll embark on a journey to craft the renowned Everclear moonshine. Get ready to discover the secrets and steps of creating your very own smooth and potent concoction. From gathering the ingredients to the aging process, we’ll walk you through the entire process of creating a moonshine masterpiece.

Everclear Moonshine

Step 1: Gathering Ingredients

Before diving into the world of moonshine, it’s essential to gather the key ingredients. For an authentic Everclear moonshine, you’ll need high-quality grains, pure water, sugar, and of course, Everclear alcohol. It’s crucial to select the finest ingredients for a top-notch result.

Step 2: Preparing Equipment

When preparing to make moonshine, it’s essential to gather both materials and ingredients specific to distilling spirits safely and legally. Here’s an overview of the types of equipment and materials you will need:

Distillation Equipment

Still: The key piece of equipment for making moonshine is the still. Stills can vary widely in design and size but typically consist of a pot for boiling the mash, a condenser to cool and condense the alcohol vapor back into liquid, and a collection vessel. Copper is often preferred for the pot and condenser as it removes sulfides from the alcohol vapors.
Heat Source: You’ll need a reliable heat source that can maintain a steady temperature. Common options include propane burners or electric heating elements.

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Fermentation Vessels

Fermentation Container: Large food-grade buckets or carboys are used for fermenting the wash (the mixture of water, sugar, and yeast). They should be equipped with airlocks to allow gases to escape while preventing air from entering.
Airlock and Stopper: The airlock is critical to protect the fermenting mash from airborne contaminants while allowing carbon dioxide to escape.

Ingredients for the Mash

Water: Clean, chemical-free water is crucial, as water makes up the majority of the mash.
Sugar Source: This could be cornmeal, malted grains, fruit, or even plain sugar, depending on the type of moonshine you want to make.
Yeast: Yeast is necessary for fermentation; different strains can be used depending on the desired outcome.
Nutrients: Sometimes additional nutrients are needed to help yeast fermentation, especially if using refined sugars.

Measuring and Testing Tools

Thermometer: A thermometer is crucial for monitoring the temperature of the mash during fermentation and the still during distillation.
Hydrometer or Refractometer: These tools measure the specific gravity of the liquid, which helps determine the potential alcohol content before and after fermentation.

Miscellaneous Supplies

Siphon or Pump: For transferring liquids between containers without contamination.
Large Spoon or Paddle: For stirring the mash.
Cleaning Supplies: Proper sanitation is crucial in distilling to avoid contamination. You’ll need non-abrasive cleaners and sanitizers suitable for food processing equipment.
Storage Bottles or Barrels: For storing the finished moonshine. Glass bottles are common, but for aging spirits, wooden barrels may be used to impart additional flavors.

Step 3: Mixing Ingredients

Mixing ingredients for moonshine requires careful attention to detail to ensure both safety and quality. Start by selecting your base ingredients; common choices include corn meal, sugar, and water. For a basic recipe, combine about 5 gallons of water with 8 pounds of granulated sugar and 5.5 pounds of corn meal in a large container. Stir this mixture thoroughly until the sugar is fully dissolved. Next, add yeast, which is crucial for fermentation; use about 1 package of distiller’s yeast for every 10 gallons of mash.

Mix well to distribute the yeast evenly. Ensure the container is sealed with an airlock to prevent contamination while allowing gases to escape during fermentation. Store the mixture in a cool, dark place for about 1-2 weeks, or until fermentation ceases, before proceeding to distillation. Always remember, making moonshine is illegal in many areas without proper permits, and it can be dangerous if not done correctly.

Step 4: Fermentation Process

The fermentation process is a crucial stage in the creation of Everclear moonshine. This is where the conversion of sugars into alcohol truly begins, laying the foundation for the distinct qualities of moonshine. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating process.

Yeast Selection: Choosing the right yeast is essential for the fermentation process. Different strains of yeast will impart varying flavors and characteristics to the moonshine. Selecting a high-quality yeast is paramount for achieving the desired outcome.
Fermentation Vessel: The vessel in which the mash ferments plays a significant role. The material, size, and design of the vessel can influence the fermentation process and the resulting flavor profile.
Temperature and Duration: Controlling the temperature and duration of fermentation is critical. A carefully monitored environment ensures optimal conditions for the yeast to work its magic, resulting in a well-fermented mash.

Step 5: Distillation Process

With the fermented mash prepared, the distillation process takes center stage. This critical step involves separating the alcohol from the fermented mixture to create a potent and refined spirit. The distillation process requires precision and careful handling to achieve the desired purity and strength.

Equipment Setup: Before beginning the distillation, ensure that the distillation apparatus is properly assembled and in good working condition. This is crucial for a successful distillation process.
Heating the Mixture: The fermented mash is carefully heated to a specific temperature to initiate the vaporization of alcohol while leaving impurities behind.
Vapor Condensation: The resulting alcohol vapor is then condensed back into liquid form, resulting in a higher alcohol concentration and purity.
Heads, Hearts, and Tails: During the distillation process, the output is divided into three parts – the heads, hearts, and tails – each containing different levels of alcohol and flavors. Understanding how to separate and utilize these components is crucial for producing high-quality moonshine.
Multiple Distillation: In some cases, multiple distillations are performed to further enhance the purity and smoothness of the moonshine. This process involves running the liquid through the still more than once, allowing for additional separation of impurities.

Step 6: Proofing and Dilution

After the distillation, the moonshine undergoes a critical step known as proofing and dilution. This crucial process involves meticulously testing the alcohol content and skillfully adjusting it to achieve the desired potency. Dilution with pure water is a precise art that serves to harmonize the alcohol content, ensuring a smooth and palatable moonshine that is ready for consumption.

Testing Alcohol Content: Proofing involves carefully measuring the alcohol content using specialized tools such as a hydrometer. This step ensures accuracy in determining the initial strength of the moonshine.
Adjusting Potency: Based on the initial alcohol content, adjustments are made to achieve the desired strength. This meticulous process requires expertise to ensure the ideal balance of flavors and potency.
Meticulous Dilution: Adding pure water in precise increments is a skillful practice to harmonize the alcohol content. This meticulous dilution process aims to achieve a perfectly balanced moonshine with refined taste and smooth finish.
Enhancing Flavor Profiles: Dilution plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor profiles of moonshine, ensuring a well-rounded and palatable drinking experience.

Step 7: Aging and Bottling

The final step in creating Everclear moonshine is aging and bottling. This step is crucial as it allows the moonshine to develop its distinct characteristics and flavors, resulting in a smooth and refined product. Let’s dive deeper into the aging and bottling process.

Choosing the Right Containers: When it comes to aging moonshine, the choice of containers is important. Oak barrels are commonly used for aging as they impart unique flavors and aromas to the moonshine. However, other options such as glass containers can be suitable for shorter aging periods.
Aging Duration: The aging duration can significantly impact the final product. Longer aging periods tend to deepen the flavors and smooth out the harshness of the moonshine. Factors such as temperature and humidity in the aging environment also play a crucial role in the aging process.
Flavor Infusion: During the aging process, the moonshine interacts with the wood of the barrels, absorbing flavors and characteristics that enhance its overall profile. This infusion of flavors can vary depending on the type of wood used and the duration of aging.
Monitoring and Sampling: Monitoring the aging process is essential to ensure the moonshine is developing as intended. Sampling the moonshine at different intervals allows the distiller to assess its progress and make adjustments if necessary.
Bottling: Once the aging process is complete, the moonshine is ready to be bottled. Carefully selecting the right bottles and sealing them effectively preserves the moonshine’s unique qualities, ensuring that it can be enjoyed for months or even years to come.

Everclear Infusions

Everclear, due to its high alcohol content, is primarily used as a base for infusions and homemade liqueurs rather than consumed directly. Here are two recipes that use Everclear to create flavorful and potent concoctions:

1. Homemade Limoncello

Ingredients:

10 lemons
1 liter of Everclear (190 proof)
3 cups water
2 cups sugar

Instructions:

Peel the Lemons: Use a vegetable peeler to remove the peels from the lemons, taking care to avoid the white pith, which can make the limoncello bitter.
Infuse Everclear: Place the lemon peels in a large jar and cover them with Everclear. Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks. The longer it infuses, the more flavorful it will be.
Make Simple Syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, then allow the syrup to cool.
Combine and Strain: After the infusion period, strain the lemon peels from the alcohol and mix the infused Everclear with the simple syrup. Stir well.
Age the Limoncello: Pour the limoncello into bottles, seal them, and let them age in a cool, dark place for at least 1 week to mellow the flavors.
Serve: Serve chilled from the refrigerator or freezer.

Note:

When working with Everclear or any high-proof spirits, be cautious as they are highly flammable and potent. Make sure that the concotions are at safe levels for your consumption. These recipes are meant for responsible use by adults of legal drinking age.

Conclusion

Crafting your own Everclear moonshine is a captivating journey filled with tradition, precision, and a touch of artistry. From gathering the ingredients to aging the final product, each step contributes to the creation of a unique and remarkable spirit. As you venture into the world of moonshine, may your craft be imbued with the spirit of innovation and heritage. How will you infuse your own story into the timeless tradition of moonshine creation?