Mixing cider flavouring

For any alcoholic brew that doesn't fit into any of the above categories!
Post Reply
demmeister

Mixing cider flavouring

Post by demmeister » Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:08 pm

I've got a strawberry cider brewing at the moment which is reaching the point where I need to bottle it. The kit came with a flavouring and the instructions say I should siphon the cider into a new container before adding the flavouring and then bottling. I don't have another container (I usually just go straight from the bucket to the bottle) so I'm wondering if it's okay to just add the flavouring now?
Any help is much appreciated!

fatbloke

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by fatbloke » Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:57 pm

Well, surely if you did that, then you'd mix the yeast and all that back up ? And presuming it's supposed to be flavouring and a bit of fermentable sugar so that it carbonates/bottle primes ?

How would you manage that if it's started to ferment again, while you're waiting for it to clear ?

If I'm "making it up as I go", then I'd just go with the flow, but if it's a kit and instructions I prefer to follow those (while sitting firmly on the hedge).......

demmeister

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by demmeister » Wed Dec 04, 2013 3:40 pm

Actually I've just rechecked the instructions and it does say you can skip racking to a second container but there'll be more sediment in the bottle if you do that. I wonder if I could mix in the flavour and allow the sediment to settle again before I bottle. I'm not sure how urgent it is that I move the cider into the bottles now that it's ready to go.
The instructions also say to add sugar to the bottle so I don't think the flavouring contains the sugar required for carbonation.

fatbloke

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by fatbloke » Wed Dec 04, 2013 3:49 pm

Ah, well it sounds like its just a flavouring pack then.......

If it was me, I'd add the flavouring as per, then either let it stand for a day or two to settle or even better, cold crash it if you have the fridge space......

Then rack to bottles carefully and prime etc......

demmeister

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by demmeister » Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:54 pm

Yeah I'll give that a try. Cheers!
It says add one teaspoon of sugar but I'm using coopers carbonation drops. Do you think one drop will be enough? I've made lager in the past and one hasn't really given it the fizz I wanted so I'd be adding two to lager in the future :)

fatbloke

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by fatbloke » Fri Dec 06, 2013 11:41 am

demmeister wrote:Yeah I'll give that a try. Cheers!
It says add one teaspoon of sugar but I'm using coopers carbonation drops. Do you think one drop will be enough? I've made lager in the past and one hasn't really given it the fizz I wanted so I'd be adding two to lager in the future :)
Worth a try. I find that's the problem when using good ideas like the coopers drops. Many recipes or instructions say either table sugar or dextrose (a.k.a. brewing sugar), which, to my way of thinking make it straight forward to copy/clone etc, whereas how much is equivalent with the coopers drops ? Dunno without trial and error.........

brewtalk

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by brewtalk » Sun Dec 15, 2013 4:40 pm

Have you tried getting dextrose and dissolving it in hot water and racking the cider into another bucket so it is mixed evenly avoiding the need to add fermentable sugars into the bottles? as the dissolved sugar solution is in the other bucket and you fill it with cider it mixes well and no need too laboriously put sugers in each bottle.

edit why is my grammar so bad at the moment

WalesAles
Falling off the Barstool
Posts: 3914
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:07 pm
Location: South Wales UK.

Re: Mixing cider flavouring

Post by WalesAles » Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:21 pm

brewtalk wrote: why is my grammar so bad at the moment
My Gramama is bad as well, she just had a Hip Replacement.
WA

Post Reply