DANDELION WINE

The Recipe:
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 and ginger, which I think give it a nice touch. If you have dandelions around, give it a try! We Made 20 liters- but you may want to start with smaller amounts the recipe below will yield about 4 liters. * * * * * * * * * * * * 1 package dried yeast 50ml cup warm water 2 Liters dandelion blossoms 4 Liters water 250 ml 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. Bring to a boil and continue to boil a few minutes. Let stand 24-48 hours, then strain and pour into large carboy or jug. Add the cloves, ginger, orange and lemon peel, and sugar. Shake well and then let it rest for one week while the fermentation begins. Then strain again and pour into bottles. Allow uncorked bottles to set in a darkened place for three to six weeks. Then cork and store bottles in a cool place. Note: Choose dandelions from an open field far from any insecticide spraying. Pick early in the season when the leaves of the plant are still tender. Flowers that have just opened are best.

Piles of flowers

Petals Steeping

Straining the Juice

Decanting into Bottles

Beautiful Corked Bottles