Blackcurrect cider

[thetacker]

I've just started a Blackcurrant TC and just realised I used ribena (which should be diluted 1part juice to 4 parts water.what's the chance of this fermenting out? So in the JD there's 3lt of Apple juice and .850ml of ribena with Young's Ale yeast,the temp is 20degC. I started it about 19:00hrs last night and it just starting to get a head. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Did the Ribena have preservative?

Did you take a hydrometer reading?

 

[thetacker]

Yes it does contain preservatives so I boilit for around5-6mins. As for taking a o.g. reading no for some unknown reason I didn't. It has now been fermenting reasonably vigorously so all seems to be going as Well as I expected.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Keep us posted. :thumb:

 

[thetacker]

Just a quick up date, yesterday when the ferment had slowed down topped the dj up with another litre of Apple juice. Had a look to see how thing were progressing and I am pleased to say it's plopping away very nicely.

 

[Southerton]

I done one with strawberry Ribena it fully fermented down to 1000. I can tell you if yours does the same you will be looking at around 10% so not a session drink for sure.

Just bare in mind when bottling this will be very very dry so sweetener is a must

 

[tony4790]

I made one with 650 ml of strawberry Ribena with cider yeast and it fermented out to quite a sharp , dry tasting cider . I had to back sweeten with some Cologran sweetener . With the risk of making it taste too "artificial" it ended up still being quite a dry taste but next time I might add a bit more sweetener .

 

[tony4790]

Another point to note that if you have used an ale yeast it will probably stop at about 1.010 which will leave you with a sweet cider if you leave it to age a bit .

 

[thetacker]

That's very interesting if not unexpected. Yes I did use an Ale yeast (Young's). So being that I'm more into medium dry( I should also add they I am also doing a Strawberry cider) how much sweetener could I expect to add.

 

[Southerton]

If you like more of a sweet cider it would be 2 tea spoons per 500ml bottle. Plus the 1 spoon of sugar for carbing it.

 

[thetacker]

Thanks Southern and Tony4790 for the comments, very helpful and reasurring to hear that I'm on the right lines. I was thinking of 1 and a 1/2 teaspoons of sweetener and a level teaspoon of sugar for priming in a 500ml bottle .

 

[Southerton]

Yes that sounds good I would imagine it would be more medium with that amount which is how you said you like it.

Defo keep us posted how it turns out

 

[thetacker]

Right quick up date. When I made my Blackcurrant cider My neighbour started a Strawberry (ribena) cider exactly the same apart from no additional sugar, a hyd reading was taken today 1009-10 do a trip bottled with 1level tsp sugar and 1 1/2 sweetener used 500ml pet bottles so now wait and watch this space. Ho the Blackcurrant is still doing its magic in the demijohn.

 

[thetacker]

Well Blackcurrant cider now in the bottles (hyd reading 996) put away in the coolest place I could find (still bit warm but hey no)going to leave it there for a couple of week before I sample one.I did have a taste while bottling(less than half a bottle wasn't worth putting in a bottle) and I was quite pleased.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[thetacker]

Well tried one tonight and I must say I was a little disappointed, very little blackcurrant coming through quite tart,could be it needs a bit more back sweetening or do it 2 Blackcurrant instead of the one.???? What do you think?