How to drink moonshine

Stunning twists of history also touched moonshine. They drove him for their own needs, used to make tinctures and medicines. For several decades, they were actively forbidden to do it even for themselves, threatening criminal punishment. And now they sell moonshine stills in stores, on the market, on the Internet, assuring that there is no better and no better drink. In fact, moonshine made and cleaned in accordance with all the rules will leave far behind an overseas gin and brandy. With it, you can also make cocktails or drink in pure form, but observing the measure so that the fun does not turn into a drunken fume.

What is moonshine

Strong drink found its fans in many countries. There are a lot of recipes, but the principle is the same - first the mash is put, then distillation and purification are carried out. Raw materials are:

• wheat;
• corn;
• beet;
• potatoes;
• fruits, berries;
• jam;
• bread.

Technically, any product containing sugar and starch can be the raw material, but more often preference is given to fruits and cereals. The fortress varies from 35 to 70 degrees and above.

Kinds

Name of mash in different countries:

• Moonshine - English.
• Schwarzgebranntes - German.
• Samogonas - Lithuanian.
• Samogon - Polish.
• Pontikka is Finnish.
• Palinka is Hungarian.

Even the names in most cases are similar, especially in translation. The domestic drink in tsarist times had several gradations.

The half-grain was named for quality control by burning. With the right recipe and technology, exactly half of the volume burned out. The fortress reached 42 degrees, was diluted with water. Cereals served as the basis.

Pennik had an indicator of 50 degrees, compliance with the requirements was checked by transfusion from one container to another. A thin stream should form a foam.

The triple wine was the strongest, reaching 55 degrees. When set on fire, 2/3 burned out.

The people's classification is much wider, the names were given on the basis of the mash. In addition to moonshine, the most famous:

• rusks
• horseradish;
• birch;
• spotkach;
• cooler;
• honey;
• sbiten;
• hooking.

The alcohol content in different types is from 12 to 50 degrees.

The moonshine on sugar leads in popularity, followed by grape, fruit, and jam drinks.

There are slight differences in the cooking technology. Especially important is the product to ensure fermentation. The most popular and affordable are yeast, but they leave an unpleasant aftertaste and require additional purification. In addition to them, hop cones, peas, tomato paste help to ensure the process. Wild yeast on the surface of berries and fruits is also good. Knead the fruits, add sugar and water, pour the mixture into a bottle and put in a warm dark place.

Important: fruits and berries cannot be washed, yeast will be washed off, therefore raw materials for the base are collected from branches without using fallen ones.

Composition and calorie content

The drink has many options for the base. It determines the composition. Braga consists of 3 fractions: a solid base, liquid alcohols and gaseous plumes. Moonshine contains:

• alcohols, including methanol;
• fusel oils;
• aldehydes;
• acids;
• ethers.

The final composition depends on the type of mash, the presence of yeast or other fermentative component and the technology of distillation.

Interesting: Among the useful substances are potassium, sodium, calcium, mono- and disaccharides with a calorie index of 235 kcal.

Despite such a discrepancy in the components, since 2015 there is a GOST for the manufacture of home-made alcoholic beverages, which states that dilution with water is allowed at a high degree and mandatory cleaning of the main part of fusel oils is required. At the same time, a recommendation is made on the use of activated carbon.But as an option, cleaning with soda, milk and other components is allowed.

How to drink moonshine

The drink is strong enough in any form. It requires caution and knowledge of the measure, only then will it benefit. Moonshine is separate from pretentious varieties such as absinthe or tequila. It is unlikely to see green fairies, but devils of the same color when exceeded the dose - easily.

The basic rule of use is to drink it from small glasses and bite plentifully after each. In this case, the food should be extremely simple, but tasty and satisfying. Classics are fat, pickles, brown bread and onions. Not for nothing that in a popular folk joke, a bad wife repeats to her husband: “Don’t drink,” and a good one persuades: “Have a snack!”.

Well done manners to drink a faceted glass in one gulp is nothing but an attraction. No pleasure, except very fast intoxication and the loss of the thread of conversation, a person will not receive. Small portions allow you to keep your head in a pleasant haze of relaxation, without going beyond the bounds of decency.

The best time for tasting is evening. At this time, the body is able to perceive small portions without much harm, quickly breaking down alcohols and removing toxins. Pour the drink into small glasses or piles of simple shape without legs, preferably with a thick bottom. Moonshine is drunk chilled, so the remnants of fusel oils are less felt.

What to eat

If guests appeared on the threshold, carrying a deliciously gurgling quarter, then it is worth preparing for a long feast. As an appetizer, an experienced hostess will have on the table:

• green onions;
• Tomatoes
• fresh and pickles;
• dill, parsley;
• low-fat chicken;
• beef;
• boiled or baked potatoes;
• sauerkraut;
• pickled garlic and wild garlic;
• salted and smoked fish;
• hard cheeses;
• meat cutting.

At the same time, it is better to increase portions on plates than to chase a stunning variety of imagination.

It is worth considering: honey moonshine has a sweetish aftertaste. For him, it is best to cook sour fruit desserts, cheese, grapes.

What to drink

Some people prefer to drink alcohol instead of snacks. For this, ordinary cool water, fruit and citrus juices, Schweppes, a tomato drink are suitable. Moonshine goes well with other types of alcohol, but this is no longer drinking, but a full-fledged cocktail.

Is it possible to drink moonshine after the first distillation

In principle, yes, if, instead of a friendly handshake, a person prefers a sweeping punch with a fist. The strength is 80–85 degrees, the taste is hard with many impurities and does not depend on the raw material from which the mash is made. In the so-called "head", which is the first portion of the product, there is a high concentrate of impurities that are harmful to the body. The main part, the body, goes when the fortress falls to 50 degrees. The distillation continues until the liquid retains the ability to burn, which can be verified. To do this, gain a serving in a spoon and set on fire. Low alcohol residue, tail, breed too strong product or pour into the next portion of the mash.

Pervach is more often used for the preparation of alcohol tinctures and grinds according to popular recipes or is subject to repeated distillation.

Moonshine cocktails: recipes

A strong alcoholic drink goes well with other alcohol, fruit and vegetable juices, which opens up wide scope for folk imagination. There are a number of classic combinations that have long and firmly won recognition.

Mohitivka
A quickly accustomed analogue of the famous mix, where instead of lime any berries and fruits are used. It turns out a whole line of tasteful aperitifs that Western gourmets never dreamed of. You can focus on the classic way of cooking.For 1 liter of moonshine, take zest of 4 lemons, 25 leaves of fresh mint of any kind, berry or fruit syrup, crushed ice. The amount of syrup is adjusted to taste, divided into portions and served in tall thin glasses with a straw for a cocktail.

Berry mix

Perfect for a ladies company, moderately sweet, fragrant and not very strong. Composition:

• moonshine - 500 ml;
• 2 types of berry liquor, for example, strawberry and raspberry - 120 ml each;
• freshly squeezed juice of the same type as liquors - 20 ml;
• ice in small cubes.

The liquids are mixed, several ice cubes are laid on the bottom of the martinka and an alcohol mix is ​​poured on the wall.

Screwdriver

150 g of freshly squeezed take 150 g of freshly squeezed orange juice, beat in a shaker, served chilled. Replacing the orange with tomato juice, they get almost "Bloody Mary". The layers do not hold, but the taste becomes much softer, and the fuselage hue, if it was, disappears.

Hop cola

Overseas lemonade is suitable as a component in most types of strong alcohol. The option with moonshine also fell in love with many. For 75 ml of soda take 50 ml of alcohol. Served with ice in small thick-walled glasses.

Layered cocktail

The name of this series of drinks translates as “cock's tail”. Very effective serving and original taste. Suitable for any holiday where the goal is to communicate and maintain a good mood. For cooking, a dessert spoon is used, on which each new portion is poured in a thin stream. Priority:

• ice;
• cherry liquor - 20 ml;
• moonshine - 70 ml;
• fresh orange - 40 ml;
• red wine - 30 ml.

The edge of the glass is decorated with slices of kiwi, lemon and orange, creating an aesthetically complete composition.

How to make moonshine at home

To obtain a distillate, a moonshine is required, which craftsmen make from a samovar, pot, and even an ordinary bucket. There are 3 stages:

• cooking mash;
• distillation;
• cleaning up.

The simplest recipe for wort is sugar and pure soft unboiled water at a rate of 2:10. Yeast, 30 g of dry alcohol per 10 l of liquid is added to it. Its temperature should not exceed 28 degrees, with a hotter base, the fungi will die, in cold water - fermentation will significantly slow down. The container is hermetically sealed, placed in a warm dark place, a water seal is installed. It will take 4–5 days to be ready. It is determined by the absence of foam and a bitter taste.

Bentonite is used to remove a cloudy suspension. Consumption - 1 tbsp. 10 liter spoon Stand for a day, after which the remains of the fermentation products precipitate to the bottom.

Next comes the primary distillation through a moonshine, it turns raw alcohol. Tank filling does not exceed 3/4. For a honey base, you can not fill in more than half, otherwise the process will be interfered with copious foaming. To improve the quality of the product, distillation is done twice.

Cleaning is a mandatory step, carried out by infusion or filtration through activated carbon. The yield of the finished product by this technology is 2.5 liters per 2 kg of sugar.

Important: if you want to reduce the strength of the drink, then the alcohol is poured into water, and not vice versa, otherwise the drink will turn cloudy.

The technology remains almost unchanged for any type of raw material, the main nuances of cooking relate to mash.

The benefits and harms of moonshine

Strong alcohol in therapeutic doses of 30-50 ml has anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, mild analgesic and vasodilating effects. It stimulates the work of the heart, appetite, improves the outflow of bile, increases the body's resistance to colds, reduces the risk of developing sclerosis. Lapping, compresses, tinctures are prepared on the basis of the drink.

The harm to the body is not brought by moonshine itself, but by its excessive amount.If the medicine is measured not in drops, but in glasses, in most cases it turns into poison. Ignorance of the measures in the use of alcohol leads to irreversible changes in the liver, weakening of the heart muscle, damage to the central nervous system, and malfunction of all body systems. One of the most dangerous consequences is the formation of alcohol dependence, leading to the destruction of the body and degradation of the individual.

Interesting facts about moonshine

1. The drink has a "head" and "tail", unsuitable for consumption and the main part, the "body".
2. In different countries, the drink is known as tequila, brandy, rum, absinthe, grappa. The raw materials are different, and the strength and cooking technology are very similar.
3. Moonshine was already known in ancient Egypt. He was driven out of corn, used as a remedy.
4. Many peoples use half-liter when calculating between neighbors - a 0.5 liter bottle with moonshine.
5. Braga is made from everything that contains starch and sugar.
6. There are a lot of modifications of moonshine still, but the principle of operation is the same.
7. The strength level depends on the raw materials and ranges from 12 to 55 degrees.
8. Moonshining was formerly a privilege of the aristocracy, now officially authorized, but only for personal needs.
9. Initially, moonshine was used only as a medicine, the first mention of it in Russia is found in the Novgorod annals of 1533.
10. At pervach, the fortress sometimes exceeds 80 degrees.

Moonshine photo