How to use co2 to Make Carbonated Beverages

With a small investment, you can make any carbonated beverage from sparkling cider to soda pop or even sparkling wine.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soda Keg
• Lines
• Tap
• co2 tank
• Beverage

1. Clean: Clean all of you equipment well. Use hot water and bleach mixed in water so that you kill any bacteria. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards.

2. Fill: Fill the keg about 4/5 of the way with your desired beverage. I like to use a 2.5 gallon or 5 gallon soda keg. The 2.5 will fit better in your refrigerator. So for the 2.5 gallon, use 2 gallons of liquid and for the 5 gallon, use 4 gallons of liquid.

3. Purge: Once the liquid is in the keg but, before you have sealed it, connect the gas line. Turn the tank on very low and allow it feed into the tank. This should remove any unwanted oxygen which can cause the beverage to spoil over time. Then seal off the tank.

4. 
    

   co2: Add 12-15 PSI of co2 into the keg. Roll it back and forth on the floor. This will cause some of the co2 to immediately dissolve into the liquid. Then re-connect the keg and bring it back to 12-15 PSI. Place the keg into the refrigerator. Repeat this step every day for a week.

5. Dispense: Add the tap and tap line to the keg. Dispense at 8 PSI. Check a glass. If the carbonation is too high or too low, adjust accordingly. It may take a few days to adjust the carbonation so if you are making this for a party, start 2 weeks in advance.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a keg of soda pop around instead of buying soda in bottles or cans. Syrups for all major brands can usually be purchased at COSTCO or similar stores.
• This is great for making sparkling cider for under age drinkers for New Years parties or for weddings.