I'll be your guinea pig :hurray: Dandelion Wine Dandelion wine does not require any special equipment to make. Just dandelions, some sugar and yeast, oranges and lemons, and pots to boil water in. This recipe uses cloves, which I think give it a nice touch. If you have dandelions around, give it a try! * 1 package dried yeast * 1/4 cup warm water * 2 quarts dandelion blossoms * 4 quarts water * 1 cup orange juice * 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice * 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice * 8 whole cloves * 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger * 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped orange peel * 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped lemon peel * 6 cups sugar Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Set aside. Wash the dandelion blossoms well. Put them in the water with the orange, lemon and lime juices. Add the cloves, ginger, orange and lemon peel, and sugar. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for an hour. Strain through filter paper (coffee filters work great). Cool. While still warm (but not hot), stir in the yeast. Let stand overnight and pour into bottles. Allow uncorked bottles to set in a darkened place for three weeks. Then cork and store bottles in a cool place. Makes about 4 quarts.
I'm printing this out. Little Bit LOVES to pick dandelions, I think I'm going to put her to work! LOL
i'll join the test tasting when your first batch is done, she can even come over to my yard to get more donations:cheers:
hey neither was i, seriously come on over and let little bit pick till her heart is content, if DGS or DGD come over, i will put them to work too:cheers:
Wonder if you can just put them in a bag and freeze them till you're ready to start making it? Apparently you can! http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dandelion-Wine So.....I'm absolutely serious. We'll come pick your dandelions. This sounds like a great project.
Hubby just mowed down acres of dandelions. In about 2 weeks I can have well over 2 quarts. Have any of you wine lovers ever tried Blueberry wine?
NSane! I have the biggest one on the planet in my front flower bed, come and get it! It's really weird, I SWEAR the damn thing is 2 ft in diameter. Seriously, call me, I was going to dig it up Thursday. Bring gloves. :?
My grandfather made 200 gallons of wine per year. Had too, big Italian family to supply. I had 4 aunts & 10 uncles. As kids all the neices and nephews had to pick enough dandelions to make 50 gallons. The stench of the dandelions didn't come off your hands for a week. Going to the basement and sneaking some of that wine made it worth it:lol::lol: Note: 1. Strain it more than once. 2. Leaving the bottles uncorked for 3 weeks leaves the option for critters to crawl in. Roll cheesecloth into a cork shape and stick it in. Do not go down to the wine level in the bottle, it will wick dry the wine. These airlocks are only $1.60 a pair and they work great instead of cheesecloth.
I was thinking that I would put balloons with a tiny pin hole poked in it, on the top of the bottles, I seem to remember that's what my Granddaddy did with his muscidine wine....
