Old Man Elderberry Wine
Craft a luscious Old Man Elderberry Wine that captures the essence of ripe elderberries with a zesty kick of lemon. This robust, homemade wine is perfect for sipping on cool evenings or sharing with friends. Infused with natural flavors and a delightful aroma, this recipe yields a wine that balances sweetness and acidity, making it a quintessential addition to your collection.
ingredients
- 4 ½ cups elderberries
- Water
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 5 cups sugar
- 1 campden tablet
- 1 tsp yeast nutrients
- 1 tsp pectic enzyme
- 1 packet wine yeast
steps
- 1.
Begin by sanitizing all your equipment to ensure a clean fermentation process.
- 2.
In a large pot, mash the elderberries to release their juices.
- 3.
Add enough water to the pot to cover the berries and bring to a gentle boil.
- 4.
Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- 5.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a sanitized fermentation vessel, squeezing out as much juice as possible.
- 6.
Add the lemon juice, sugar, campden tablet, yeast nutrients, and pectic enzyme to the strained liquid, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- 7.
Top off the vessel with water to reach the one-gallon mark.
- 8.
Once the mixture reaches room temperature, add the packet of wine yeast.
- 9.
Fit the fermentation vessel with an airlock and set it in a dark, warm location (around 70-75°F) for about 1-2 weeks, or until fermentation slows down.
- 10.
After the initial fermentation, siphon the wine into a clean carboy, leaving sediment behind.
- 11.
Allow the wine to age for 3-6 months, racking every couple of months if possible.
- 12.
Finally, bottle your Old Man Elderberry Wine and allow it to age for at least another month before enjoying.
