How to make Applejack

Applejack is a drink once popular in the colonial times. It is mentioned throughout
historical literature in connection with American heroes such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The drink is a strong alcoholic beverage derived from fermented apple juice or cider. The water is driven out of the cider leaving a highly alcoholic beverage behind.

The good thing about Applejack is that you can make it with normal household
equipment. No stills, open flames, or specialized brewing equipment is necessary.

Things You'll Need

• A fermentation vessel (i.e. a plastic bucket w/lid , glass carboy, plastic water bottles or whatever)
• A mesh kitchen colander
• A FERMENTATION LOCK ( A device that allows air to escape when fermenting, but does not allow bacteria to enter. Can be purchased at a homebrew supply shop for about $1.) Or you can get by using a def
• A funnel
• A couple empty milk jugs or similar containers
• A freezer
• 1 gallon water
• 1 gallon apple juice
• 4 pounds of brown sugar
• 1-2 packs of wine or champagne yeast

Instructions

1. Boil 1 gallon of water. Turn off heat and dissolve the brown sugar in the water. Allow the sugar and water mixture to cool to about 80 degrees

2. Combine apple juice and sugar water mixture in a clean fermentation vessel of your choice. Add yeast and attach fermentation lock.

3. Wait for a few weeks or until fermentation is complete. If using a fermentation lock, watch for the bubbling to slow down to 1 bubble per minute or so.

4. Put the fermented cider into a container or containers of your choice.
   Place the cider in the freezer and leave it alone for a few days.

5. Once the cider turns to slush, using the mesh colander, start draining the apple beverage from the ice. The white slush should be removed.

6. Using the funnel/ colander combination carefully collect the runnings into a milk jug or similar vessel.

7. Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 until it no longer freezes.

8. Bottoms up !

Tips & Warnings

• When using yeast, it's important to sanitize anything that will come in contact with the fermenting cider.

• Some cider or apple juice contains chemical preservatives. Read the label and do not use this this type of juice.