Grain alcohol, known commercially as Everclear, offers a neutral and high-proof foundation for homemade infusions and cocktails. This recipe provides a method to create a versatile base spirit. It focuses on safety and clarity for consistent results.
Why This Recipe Works
- Uses a simple sugar wash for a clean, fermentable base.
- Employs precise temperature control during fermentation to minimize off-flavors.
- Involves a thorough distillation process to achieve high alcohol content.
- Includes a final filtration step for crystal-clear purity.
- Prioritizes detailed safety instructions for handling high-proof alcohol.
Ingredients
- 5 gallons filtered water
- 8 pounds granulated white sugar
- 2 packets (typically 10 grams total) distiller’s yeast
- 2 tablespoons yeast nutrient
- 1 cup activated carbon filter media (for final filtration)
Equipment Needed
- Large (8+ gallon) fermentation bucket with airlock
- Hydrometer
- Stainless steel stockpot (at least 10-gallon capacity)
- Distillation apparatus (pot still or column still)
- Thermometer
- Multiple glass jars for collecting distillate
- Funnel and fine mesh filter
- pH test strips
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
Instructions
Prepare the Sugar Wash
Heat 3 gallons of filtered water in the stockpot to 150°F. Gradually add the 8 pounds of granulated white sugar while stirring continuously with a long-handled spoon until fully dissolved, which should take about 10-15 minutes. This creates a simple syrup base. Remove the pot from the heat and add the remaining 2 gallons of cool, filtered water to bring the total temperature down to between 70°F and 80°F. Use a thermometer to verify. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of yeast nutrient until it is completely incorporated. This mixture, now called the wash, must cool to the target temperature range before adding yeast to prevent killing the culture. Tip: Ensure all sugar is dissolved to prevent a sticky residue that can hinder fermentation later.
Pitch the Yeast and Begin Fermentation
Set Up and Run the Distillation
Ensure your distillation apparatus is clean, assembled correctly, and placed in a well-ventilated area away from open flames. Carefully siphon the finished wash from the fermentation bucket into the still’s boiler, leaving any sediment behind. Begin heating the wash slowly. As the temperature rises, the alcohol will vaporize before the water. Monitor the thermometer at the still’s head; ethanol vaporizes around 173°F. Collect the initial distillate, known as the “foreshots,” separately in a small jar—this first 50-100 ml contains methanol and other volatile compounds and must be discarded for safety. After discarding the foreshots, continue collecting the main distillate, called the “hearts,” in clean glass jars. The hearts will have a clean, neutral smell. Stop collecting when the distillate coming out drops below 40% ABV (alcohol by volume), tastes watery, or smells unpleasant; this later portion is the “tails.” Tip: Collect in small jars to allow for blending later, discarding the undesirable foreshots and tails.
Perform the Spirit Run for Purity
Combine all the collected “hearts” from the first distillation into the still’s boiler. Add an equal volume of filtered water to dilute the alcohol content to around 40% ABV before the second run; this helps produce a cleaner final product. Perform a second, slower distillation following the same procedure: discard the foreshots, collect the hearts, and set aside the tails. This spirit run further refines the alcohol, removing more impurities and concentrating the ethanol. Aim to collect the distillate when the output proof is between 160 and 190 (80-95% ABV) for a high-proof neutral spirit similar to Everclear. Use your hydrometer to test the proof of the collected spirit. The process for this run may take several hours due to the need for careful temperature control and collection.
Filter and Dilute the Final Product
The distilled spirit will likely have some haze or minor impurities. To achieve crystal clarity, set up a filtration system using a funnel lined with a fine mesh filter and filled with 1 cup of activated carbon filter media. Slowly pour the collected hearts through the carbon filter into a clean glass container. You may need to filter it 2-3 times until the liquid is perfectly clear. Once filtered, you can dilute the high-proof spirit to your desired drinking strength using filtered water. For a 190-proof (95% ABV) spirit like commercial Everclear, minimal dilution is needed—ensure final proof is measured accurately with a hydrometer. For a lower proof, calculate the required water addition carefully. After dilution, let the spirit rest in a sealed glass container for at least 48 hours to allow the flavors to marry before use. Tip: Always use glass containers for storing high-proof alcohol, as it can degrade plastic.
Tips and Tricks
Maintain meticulous sanitation of all equipment before fermentation to prevent bacterial contamination that can spoil the wash. Control fermentation temperature tightly; temperatures above 80°F can produce fusel alcohols, leading to harsh flavors, while temperatures below 65°F may stall fermentation. When distilling, always use a water bath or electric heat source—never an open flame—due to the high flammability of alcohol vapors. For the spirit run, collecting in many small jars allows you to precisely blend only the best portions of the hearts, discarding any that smell or taste off. If you aim for a perfectly neutral spirit, consider adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the wash before distilling to neutralize any acidic compounds, though this is optional. Store your final product in a cool, dark place in glass containers with tight-sealing lids to preserve quality.
Recipe Variations
- Fruit-Infused Everclear: After the final dilution and filtration, add 2 cups of fresh or frozen fruit (like berries, citrus peels, or cherries) per liter of spirit. Seal in a jar and let infuse for 2-4 weeks in a dark place, shaking daily, then strain out the solids.
- Herbal or Spiced Spirit: Create a botanical base by infusing the finished spirit with herbs like mint or rosemary, or spices such as cinnamon sticks or vanilla beans. Use about 1/4 cup of dried botanicals per liter, infuse for 1-2 weeks, and strain.
- Lower-Proof Neutral Vodka: Follow the same process but dilute the final distilled hearts with filtered water to achieve a standard 80-proof (40% ABV) vodka. This may require additional charcoal filtration for supreme smoothness.
- Alternative Sugar Source: Replace granulated sugar with an equal weight of corn sugar (dextrose) for a potentially cleaner fermentation profile, though the process steps remain identical.
- Oak-Aged Variation: For a golden color and woody notes, add a small, charred oak chip or spiral to the filtered spirit and age in a glass jar for several months, tasting periodically until desired flavor is achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to distill alcohol at home in the US? Federal law prohibits the distillation of alcohol for beverage purposes without a permit. This recipe is for educational purposes only. Always check and comply with all local, state, and federal regulations before attempting any distillation.
What is the purpose of discarding the foreshots? The first liquid that comes out of the still contains methanol and other volatile compounds that can be harmful if consumed. Discarding the foreshots (typically the first 5% of the run) is a critical safety step to produce a safer distillate.
Can I use bread yeast instead of distiller’s yeast? It is not recommended. Distiller’s yeast is specifically bred to tolerate higher alcohol concentrations and produce a cleaner, more neutral flavor profile. Bread yeast may result in off-flavors and a lower alcohol yield.
How do I know when fermentation is complete? Fermentation is complete when bubbles in the airlock have stopped for 24-48 hours and a hydrometer reading shows a stable specific gravity at or below 1.000. Rushing this step can lead to incomplete fermentation and lower yield.
Why is a second distillation (spirit run) necessary? A single distillation often leaves behind more impurities and congeners. The spirit run refines the alcohol, provides better separation between foreshots, hearts, and tails, and results in a higher-proof, cleaner, and more neutral final product.
Summary
This recipe details the process of creating a high-proof neutral spirit. It emphasizes safety, precise temperature control, and thorough filtration for a clear, versatile base suitable for infusions or cocktails.
