EZ Caps

I'm always experimenting to find something new. Here is my most recent endeavor:

HARD ICED TEA

I brought nearly one liter of water to a boil and then removed from the heat. I added 5 bags of Earl Grey and 5 bags of black tea and let it steep for 20 minutes. Then I removed the tea bags and added 2 cups of brown sugar, and stirred until it dissolved. Then I added 1 liter of cold water, mixed well, and placed in a 2-liter bottle that had just finished making hard cider (see post about reusing yeast. I wasn't sure if brown-sugar-tea-water would be difficult to ferment or not so I used a starter to give it a head start).

Within 1 hour I had VERY active fermentation. My plan was to ferment it for one week but when I sampled it after 5 days it was already more dry than I would have liked. I added some sugar, to taste, and enjoyed an alcoholic iced tea. It was actually pretty refreshing and although it is winter, I imagined coming in and drinking some of the brew after mowing the lawn on a hot day.

Next time I'm going to add 2 more tea bags and an additional cup of brown sugar and possibly some lemon to the recipe. This time I'll take gravity measurements so I know what the alcohol % is.

This experiment was a success. I can only imagine how many different flavors can be developed by using different types of tea. I am definitely going to make this again.

HHHMMM with my experience with making coffee wine I would have expected a tea wine to be less than enjoyable so I would have never tried it but now you have me interested.

I have some spiced tea left over from christmas so ive made it the same as your recipe so fingers crossed i might get a spicy mulled wine affect also did you find out what the alcohol proof was in your hard iced tea?

scog73 Wrote:I have some spiced tea left over from christmas so ive made it the same as your recipe so fingers crossed i might get a spicy mulled wine affect also did you find out what the alcohol proof was in your hard iced tea?

I didn't take any gravity readings but due to my decades of experience my estimates are usually really good and I estimated this one to be about 6%. I intended to make this again but got distracted with the beer kits and haven't had a chance to. Next time I make it I'm going to add more sugar.

Your spiced tea idea sounds awesome. Let us know how it turns out.

Hello it turned out amazing its fizzy, light seems very alcoholic looks like cider in colour, ive put a few squirts of lemon into it and strangely it doesnt taste off tea at all with the lemon its just like a fizzy juice drink and on its own it tastes like a dry white wine.What i changed was i had a bottle of cinnamon syrup and i put one cup of that and only one cup of sugar but you cant taste the cinnamon which i hoped i would.

But over all its really great i have 2nd and 3rd batches on the go with differnt types of tea