Vimto

[Derekmr]

Hi
Started a vimto cider yesterday,
Forgot to boil vimto so not started fermentation,
Do you think I could boil up whole batch, cool and then add more yeast?
Thanks

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but If it has preservative boiling will do nothing there have been numerous threads about this and it will end in fermentation finishing early and the end result being an overly sweet wine/cider with low %ABV.

 

[Derekmr]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but If it has preservative boiling will do nothing there have been numerous threads about this and it will end in fermentation finishing early and the end result being an overly sweet wine/cider with low %ABV.

Oh
How should it be done then?
I know people use vimto??

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Some members have posted they boil it not many post back that they ended up with a decent wine/cider, I tried it when I first started out I boiled it for 15 minutes and ended with a stalled fermentation at 1020 which was sickly sweet and undrinkable.
There are lots of 100% juices out there so there is no need to buy stuff with preservative it really is more trouble that it is worth.

.

 

[Derekmr]

Was just a bottle lying about so thought give it a go
Further reading suggests that sorbate only inhibit yeast so it may work
Will let you know how it goes

 

[Frogbrew]

Some members have posted they boil it not many post back that they ended up with a decent wine/cider, I tried it when I first started out I boiled it for 15 minutes and ended with a stalled fermentation at 1020 which was sickly sweet and undrinkable.
There are lots of 100% juices out there so there is no need to buy stuff with preservative it really is more trouble that it is worth.

.

Mine did just this too.

 

[Derekmr]

Well I have added a little more yeast,
It’s started to move so will see how it goes over next few days

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Fingers crossed.

Mine was a disaster as it took weeks to get to 1020 and being the impatient type i binned it and got a supermarket juice wine on instead as i only had a couple of DJ's at the time.

I imagine it will get below .1000 given enough time.

Keep us posted.
.

 

[Nicks90]

My first ever TC was a vimto cider.
Used the sugar free vimto and boiled it for 5 mins.
Mine went off like a train and ended up at 5.5%
It was too sweet as it has lots of artificial sweeteners. But the wife loved it.
Second attempt was made with full fat vimto.
Again went off like a bull in a China shop and ended at 6%. Back sweetened with 1 canderel per 500ml bottle and it was great.


Edited to add, took 4 weeks at 20c to ferment out and another 8 weeks conditioning before it really came alive. Was a bit "raw" up till that point. But was incredible after 3 months!

 

[Derekmr]

Pitched a little more yeast yesterday and it’s gone off big time,
Here’s hoping it works out well,
Smells great

 

[mgrds]

Just a thought - with natural fruits it is often best to add before fermentation - but with products that contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives like VIMTO I'd be more inclined to make a dry cider then blend with Vimto cordial to achieve the required sweetness and flavour - and then allow the blended combination to mature. This is more likely to retain the recognisable VIMTO flavour and avoid unpredictable results and Yeast inhibition from the Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate already in the VIMTO. This sort of cider would not be my own cup of tea so not something I'm likely to make - but this is what I would do if making for someone else who wanted that flavour combination!

 

[mgrds]

Pitched a little more yeast yesterday and it’s gone off big time,
Here’s hoping it works out well,
Smells great

The preservatives in Vimto ingredient list can be over ridden by a strong fermentation - so if any one gets stuck on this or in making any thing using preserved juices pitching an active starter will usually do the trick !