schnapps

[Nicos]

Am going to harvest the first crop of rhubarb this weekend and will start the schnapps One question....does it make a difference to the finished product if you use an expensive vodka compared to say a Tesco's own or Lidl special??

[bramble]

I think on one of the threads andrew said he uses a cheap vodka and it did'nt make any difference.

[Nicos]

even better!!!!

ps....discovered 2 of our rhubarb plants are throwing off flowers!!. Have taken a photo so will post it ....probably in the autumn by the time I suss out the Picassa! Must say, ..it's a fantastic site, as all the family photos are so accessable...(even the kids stuff!!! )

[Shortie]

Nicos, in another thread I asked Andrewo about this and he said this may be the end of it's life, so I'd cut the flower off to save the rhubarb. Andrewo, please correct em if I got that wrong

[andrewo]

No, you're right, though it is not the end of the plant it can suck all the energy out of the crown and then the crown never recovers. Take off this flower stalk, the best way to propagate from a crown is to split it or take off one of the rhubarb stalk 'nodules' when they first start to bud - you can cut this off with a sharp knife taking some of the crown and get a new crown this way. If you let it flower, it will just be wasted - and sap the crown of energy. I was always told to take them off.

[andrewo]

I think on one of the threads andrew said he uses a cheap vodka and it did'nt make any difference.

I use cheap vodka, it makes no difference as you are reactivating the fermentation process.

[Nicos]

Tomorrow is the day then!!!

[dni_dave]

Scnapps started

That's it, we've started the first schnapps!!!

Sterilised everything and put it into a demijohn with an airlock. Keeping it dark and cool and trying to shake it as often as we can. There is a pink quality to it after only a few days and translucent haze.

4 bottles of 70cl cheap vodka - that can get you very strange looks at the checkout of the local supermarket!!!

Will try and keep everyone posted.

[JennieAtkinson]

How vigorously are you shaking yours dave? Mine is in 1 litre jars but wasn't sure whether to give it a gentle schuckle or whapp it around abit. If you know what I mean!

OH was horrified at the amount of Vodka I put in

[dni_dave]

Shake, rattle but no roll

Jennie
I'm just giving it a fairly gentle swirl but all the rhubarb is moving. It's taken on quite a deep pink colour now and all the sugar has dissolved. The only jar available was a demi john and it's fitted with an airlock as I couldn't get a bung, so I can't give it what for too vigorously.

nearly 4 bottles went in ours..... we have a queue of people willing to try it though.