Apple and Cinnamon Finished, Update on Strawberry.

Apple: SUCCESS
Cinnamon: SUCCESS

The Apple Experiment.

After many sample tastings of the apple vodka over the past two weeks, I knew the final product would be quite good with little to no hint of vodka, and my hypothesis was correct. In fact, I assert that the apple was done 5 or so days ago, before I added the third apple; the final days really didn't add much to the flavor, and in fact may have proved detrimental to the final product. In the name of science, I wanted to test to relative alcohol content of the apple vodka, as Andy and I had joked about it not tasting like alcohol because there was no alcohol. Without a hydrometer, though, the only test I could think up involved a 500lb device that all of us seem to have on hand: the freezer. (Do refrigerators weigh 500lb? I don't know, and neither do you, so shut up.)

After two hours or so in the freezer (it may well have been more, I really don't even remember), I was left with a solid block of apple "vodka". Was it completely frozen? Most likely not, as we all know that the freezing point of ethanol is -114 degrees celcius, and my freezer certainly doesn't get that cold. However, research tells me that a 24 proof liqueur will freeze at around 20 degrees fahrenheit, which I'm sure my freezer can reach, and 65 proof will freeze at -10 degrees fahrenheit, which I doubt my freezer can reach. My hypothesis, then, is that my apple vodka is more than likely apple schnapps-style, with an alcohol content of between 15-25% (30-50 proof).

But it's oh-so-tasty.

The Cinnamon Experiment.

The cinnamon vodka is quite good, but very... cinnamon-ny, and not sweet at all (not that I necessarily expected it to be sweet). The result is a shot that is alcoholic, but not easy to drink straight like Goldschlägger. If you wanted to drink a straight shot, you're best off mixing it with a bit simple syrup, which we should all have on hand (equal parts water and sugar).

One of the greatest drinks of all time.

If you remember back to my very first post, you will recall that I was more than excited about the idea of "liquid pie." Well, This was obviously the very first thing I wanted to make, and after a few trials I've come up with the most awesome recipe ever:

2.0 oz. Apple Vodka
1.0 oz. Cinnamon Vodka
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup

This really does taste like liquid pie, and it is beautifully delicious.

Update on the Strawberry Experiment.

I tasted the strawberry vodka yesterday evening (I know, only 3 days.), and though the strawberries had turned nearly completely white (as expected, due to their generosity in giving their color completely to the vodka), it still tasted heavily of vodka. Worried that the strawberries didn't have much more to give, I threw out the old ones and replaced them with gloriously red new ones, added some more sugar, and a day later we're left with a much more red vodka that is smelling wonderful.


I'll taste it again later this week, when it will most likely be ready for bottling.