Watermelon lemonade wine experiment, taste test and final alcohol readings
I bought this watermelon lemonade just for the glass bottle which is a convenient 1 liter size for brewing experiments but I wasn't about to let it go to waste without testing how well it would ferment.
Original gravity for both bottles was 1.04
Final gravity for both bottles was 0.096
Final alcohol level for each bottle is 5.8%
Bottle 1
1/16 tsp Red Star Premier Cuvee Yeast
Bottle 2
1/16 tsp Red Star Premier Cuvee Yeast
1/8 tsp DAP
1/16 tsp yeast nutrient
1/8 tsp bentonite
For more details on the method check out my blog. The quick instructions are below.
After the ingredients are added cover the top with breathable paper as the yeast are multiplying, after 2-5 days add an airlock or loose cap with a plastic bag and elastic band. The wine should be fully brewed in 2-3 weeks. Leave in a warm, dark area until all bubbling stops.
Results:
Bottle 1
I tasted this before the hydrometer reading and thought it might have some residual sugar but both bottles were brewed out equally. It had a slight fruity smell along with a slightly harsh and sour flavor. It wasn't terrible but not worth drinking.
Bottle 2
The smell was almost nonexistent except for a slight yeast smell. The flavor was very mild and smooth, it was like lemon water with a hint of watermelon. If you like lemon flavor this has the potential to be made into a hard lemonade or lemon wine if the sugar and nutrient levels were increased at the beginning.
Final thoughts:
As with my other experiments adding nutrients is showing to be crucial when brewing with juices other than grape that can be lacking in sufficient nutrients and the yeast is not adapted as well to fermenting. The end results are showing a dramatic difference between something undrinkable and something with potential to be good.
The bentonite made a big difference in the clarity of this wine and I would definitely include it in the recipe to have a clear and esthetically pleasing looking drink as the finished product.
Please leave your comments and thoughts below. Cheers!