[mdprepper]

As I see all of the happy little dandelions running rampant through the neighborhood, my thoughts turn to what I can use them for. A quick search of PS forums gave me a link to dandelion syrup and tips on eating the greens. http://www.preparedsociety.com/forum/f36/what-uses-dandelion-6182/ Alas, no one has shared a recipe for making Dandelion Wine.

I remember my Grandmom Dot having it on hand all the time, but her recipe is lost. Would anyone care to share a tried and true recipe and instructions, tips?

Please keep in mind I have never made wine before and I would like to not have to buy any special tools or ingredients (I am cheap, I mean..frugal).

Can I reuse empty wine bottles (with screw on lids) for the finished product or would I need special, new bottles with lids?

Thank you!

[Toffee]

Originally Posted by mdprepper

As I see all of the happy little dandelions running rampant through the neighborhood, my thoughts turn to what I can use them for. A quick search of PS forums gave me a link to dandelion syrup and tips on eating the greens. http://www.preparedsociety.com/forum/f36/what-uses-dandelion-6182/ Alas, no one has shared a recipe for making Dandelion Wine.

I remember my Grandmom Dot having it on hand all the time, but her recipe is lost. Would anyone care to share a tried and true recipe and instructions, tips?

Please keep in mind I have never made wine before and I would like to not have to buy any special tools or ingredients (I am cheap, I mean..frugal).

Can I reuse empty wine bottles (with screw on lids) for the finished product or would I need special, new bottles with lids?

Thank you!

Well, I can't answer anything specific, but if you can't get answers here then maybe try a local beer/wine making shop. And I would actually use bottles with corks and wax if it were me. That way you can get a good seal.

[HillbillyPrep]

I've made quite a bit of blackberry, peach, grape and even cantalope wine but never dandelion wine. If it runs the same as fruit it would be:

4 lbs. fruit
12 lbs. sugar
2 packs dry yeast

Pour ingredients into a 5 gal. bucket
Add water to about 3 inches from the top of the top of the bucket. Tap or spring water is fine.

For the first seven days the mixture needs to be stirred twice a day.

At some point during the seven days you'll need to drill a 3/8" hole in the middle of the lid and find some 3/8" hose to insert into the hole in the lid about half inch deep.

On the seventh day when you have stirred it the second time seal the lid air-tight. It HAS to be air-tight.

The hose you inserted in the lid can now be run to a water bottle with water in it. This method allows for the pressure that builds up in the bucket to escape. You'll hear it bubbling every so often, that means its working.

Let it sit in a place where it won't get too cold or hot for six weeks.

After the six weeks it may still be building pressure in the bucket so I let it sit for about seven or eight weeks just to make sure. If you bottle it and pressure is still building it could git ugly. i've seen bottle explode when folks try to bottle too soon.

You can taste it after the six weeks but it seems to get better the longer it sits.

We use a paint strainer to put it in 1/2 gal mason jars and let it sit for a few days before siphoning it into wine bottles. That allows the smallest particles to settle to the bottom of the mason jars and produces a very clear wine.
I re-use bottles and corks. As a matter of fact most of my family and friends stop by for a re-fill quite often.

You really don't have to use wine bottles. Jars with lids would work too.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free.

[md1911]

Originally Posted by HillbillyPrep

I've made quite a bit of blackberry, peach, grape and even cantalope wine but never dandelion wine. If it runs the same as fruit it would be:

4 lbs. fruit
12 lbs. sugar
2 packs dry yeast

Pour ingredients into a 5 gal. bucket
Add water to about 3 inches from the top of the top of the bucket. Tap or spring water is fine.

For the first seven days the mixture needs to be stirred twice a day.

At some point during the seven days you'll need to drill a 3/8" hole in the middle of the lid and find some 3/8" hose to insert into the hole in the lid about half inch deep.

On the seventh day when you have stirred it the second time seal the lid air-tight. It HAS to be air-tight.

The hose you inserted in the lid can now be run to a water bottle with water in it. This method allows for the pressure that builds up in the bucket to escape. You'll hear it bubbling every so often, that means its working.

Let it sit in a place where it won't get too cold or hot for six weeks.

After the six weeks it may still be building pressure in the bucket so I let it sit for about seven or eight weeks just to make sure. If you bottle it and pressure is still building it could git ugly. i've seen bottle explode when folks try to bottle too soon.

You can taste it after the six weeks but it seems to get better the longer it sits.

We use a paint strainer to put it in 1/2 gal mason jars and let it sit for a few days before siphoning it into wine bottles. That allows the smallest particles to settle to the bottom of the mason jars and produces a very clear wine.
I re-use bottles and corks. As a matter of fact most of my family and friends stop by for a re-fill quite often.

You really don't have to use wine bottles. Jars with lids would work too.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free.

That sounds abou like the same recipe I use.. I was going to look for it when I got home. The main differance is I use 1 gallon jugs and put a cheap condom on the moth of the jar. It will expand as the gas builds up then deflate. I know its ready when the condom dosnt look like a party baloon.

[*Andi]

Originally Posted by mdprepper

As I see all of the happy little dandelions running rampant through the neighborhood, my thoughts turn to what I can use them for.

On a side note ... (sorry, can't help myself. )

If you are going to gather in the neighborhood check to make sure no one has been out with the chemical spray or other treatments. () You know that prefect lawn and all... It is that time of the year.

[CulexPipiens]

This year I've been making Dandelion Syrup... well actually I've been trying to make jelly but it refuses to gel. I'm going to try a different brand of pectin for my next batch. I've made up about 2 1/2 quarts of syrup so far. After tasting it, very delicious, my wife is now thinking of trying to make wine so I will pass along the above recipe to her (and any other ones that get posted).

[Vengeful]

Some good ones HERE.

[mdprepper]

Originally Posted by *Andi

On a side note ... (sorry, can't help myself. )

If you are going to gather in the neighborhood check to make sure no one has been out with the chemical spray or other treatments. () You know that prefect lawn and all... It is that time of the year.

Yup, thought of that too. I am more concerned with trying to avoid where the neighborhood dogs have been

[*Andi]

Originally Posted by mdprepper

Yup, thought of that too. I am more concerned with trying to avoid where the neighborhood dogs have been

Good point!

[Moose33]

This thread made me smile. My Grandma used to keep a pint of dandelion wine in the back of her crisper drawer, behind the lettuce. For medicinal purposes only of course. She always made daddy keep his beer in the same place.
Take care,
Moose