Disclaimer: This method is not exceptionally dangerous, however there are chemical reactions involved and it is very important that all materials used are completely sanitized and you are working in a sterile environment.
So you might be hurting because of the recession but still would enjoy a nightcap of wine or hard cider, right? Well I've got an EASY solution for you and all it takes is ingredients you have around the house or that are available at the corner store.
What You'll Need
- 1 Gallon Jug
- 1 Container Welches Grape Juice Concentrate
- 1 Packet of Active Yeast
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 party balloon
- 1 pot
- 1 clothes pin
- Duct Tape
Step One
First you need to wash out the gallon jug, do this by washing thoroughly with soap, then EXCESSIVE rinsing, and finally a pour through of boiling water. It's important that no bacteria is in the jug. After cleaning, cover the opening. Arizona Ice Tea Jugs work great.
Step Two
Next, fill the jug with cold water. Pour out enough so there are two inches of empty space at the top of the jug. Now, pour this water into the pot and bring it to a boil, let it boil for at least two minutes. This kills off bacteria in the tap water. Re-cover the jug
Step Three
Let the water cool for a short amount of time. Pour it into the jug. It can't be too hot or it will kill the yeast we will later add. Mix in the grape juice concentrate. Wait until this mixture has reached room temperature.
Step Four
Add 1 cup of sugar, cover the jug, and shake it to mix the sugar equally throughout.
Step Five
Add the packet of yeast and stir or shake.
Step Six
Quickly put the balloon over the covering. Poke a hole in the top of the balloon with the clothes pin so the CO2 can exit, but no new oxygen can get in. Duct Tape the balloon on to the jug. Leave room so it can inflate a bit.
Step Seven
Put the jug in a dark cool environment, in a cupboard perhaps. Leave it for 7 days. Check daily for foam coming out of the balloon's pinhole. This is normal. If it gets smelling really rancid, immediately discard it, bacteria has flourished.
Step Eight
After a week, remove the balloon, and pour through a cheesecloth and funnel to extract the yeast particles and remaining sugar. It won't taste expensive, but it will do the trick!
NOTES: You can do this same recipe with unpastuerized apple cider, its a bit more tasty, however you do not boil the cider. Also, you should only leave cider for about 3 days as opposed to 7.
Leaving the wine to brew for longer will not make it more alcoholic. The alcohol comes as a byproduct of the yeast eating the sugar. Therefore adding sugar at the beginning will not make it sweeter, but actually the opposite.
WARNING: This is a simple how-to. Follow all local alcohol laws. There is always risk in making your own drinks, brew at your own risk.
