Make Your Own Bathtub Gin
Bathtub Gin
One way to make gin is to extract the flavors from the botanicals through the distillation process with the use of a gin basket. Many hobby stills, however, don't have the complicated setup required to distill botanicals. You don't need fancy equipment to make gin. In fact, many commercial craft distilleries utilize simple pot stills to craft their spirits, including gin. How do they do it? With the tried and true method of maceration - steeping the botanicals in a spirit to extract the flavor. This is the popular method that was used during Prohibition that gave rise to the term "Bathtub Gin", as home distillers used their bath tubs along with botanicals to make their gin.
One way to make gin is to extract the flavors from the botanicals through the distillation process with the use of a gin basket. Many hobby stills, however, don't have the complicated setup required to distill botanicals. You don't need fancy equipment to make gin. In fact, many commercial craft distilleries utilize simple pot stills to craft their spirits, including gin. How do they do it? With the tried and true method of maceration - steeping the botanicals in a spirit to extract the flavor. This is the popular method that was used during Prohibition that gave rise to the term "Bathtub Gin", as home distillers used their bath tubs along with botanicals to make their gin.
Gather your Ingredients
Here's what you will need:
- 3 cups of quality Vodka
- 1 Tbsp of Juniper Berries
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 star anise pod
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean pod
- 2 peppercorns
- Orange peel with pith removed
- Lemon peel with pith removed
Other Things your Going to Need
- Mason jars
- Boiling water
- Mortar & Pestle
- Sieve
- Paper coffee filters
Time For a Bath
The modern approach to making Bathtub Gin doesn't actually use a tub, but Mason Jars or some other lead free container (preferably glass) for macerating your spirit.
Start by sterilizing clean Mason jars with boiling water. You will want to have three clean jars on hand to use through the process.
Use a mortar and pestle to gently grind all the botanicals, except the orange and lemon peel. Add the ground botanicals to one of the Mason jars.
Fill the jar with Vodka. Put the lid on the jar and leave tit in a dark cool place to infuse for 24 hours. You will want to give the jar a gentle shake every now and again to help with the infusion process.
After the 24 hours, add your fresh orange and lemon peel to the infusion. This is a good time to add a little more of the botanicals whose flavors you want to boost.
Put the lid back on the jar and leave it for up to 24 hours. Check the taste frequently so that you don't over infuse your spirit.
Once you are happy with the taste, strain it into your second sterilized jar, catching your botanicals in the sieve. Then strain again into your third jar, using the paper coffee filters.
Put the lid back on and let your gin sit for a couple of days. You may need to filter out any remaining sediment.
Cheers! It's time to enjoy your Homemade Bathtub Gin.
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