Calvados

[Ripas]

Hi folks

I'm looking for a recipe for Calvados using store bought juice - no access to bulk apples unfortunately.

I've seen recipes using apples and Nudie Apple juice for cider - ft bough makes a relatively expensive wash. Whilst in Coles today I noticed Coles Cloudy Apple juice - 2 litres for $4- ingredients are apples (99.9%) and antioxidant (300). At $2 per litre the cost is manageable.

Looking forward to making this as a special treat for the old man so thanks in advance.

[TasSpirits]

You also could try a couple of cider kits, I made a couple, didn't like them so I ran them through the still. The resulting spirit was very tasty after a couple of months on French oak. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Ripas]

Sounds like a good idea Tas

[EziTasting]

Would you ferment it as is from the bottle or dilute it?

Just thinking in a 50L fermenter, that 25 x $4 making it less affordable...

[Ripas]

Yup 50 litre fermenter so $100 for the wash - seems yield is also relatively low making it a bit pricey (lucky I like rum at $12 per wash)

Perhaps half pure fresh Apple juice and half plain juice - that would halve the cost.......

[Professor Green]

Have a hunt around for apple juice concentrate. Might work out cheaper for you.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[TasSpirits]

To keep costs own you could buy 2 cheap apple cider kits, my local HBS sells them for about $17, add some extra sugar and apple concentrate(also from the HBS), then ferment with some EC1118. This is what I will do for my next Apple Brandy. :handgestures-thumbupleft: