What alcohol %

[DieFledermaus]

I'm making a White Sambuca ( http://homedistiller.org/liqueurs.htm ) and would like to end up at 42% abv. I will be using an invert syrup but I'm not sure what difference the syrup has as compared to just water in dilution. What % alcohol should I start with to end up at 42%?

[LWTCS]

Recon that depends on how sweet you want to go.

You may need to set up a station with multiple amounts of stock to try and find your prefered outcome.
Take notes for sure. Maybe start with 50%.

If your notes or blending become too muddied, maybe try and replicate your blending in a few different vessels, then combine the bulk.

Getting it like you want it may take some practice.....Sounds like good news to me.

Hope some else can give you more specific help.

[MuleKicker]

Im with LW on this. Theres some variables there that yer gonna have to figure yerself. Like the still being the bigest one. Every still is different. Do some experimentin. you'll get yer answer.

[DieFledermaus]

I should've clarified. On this one it's a quickie--I'll be starting out with grain alcohol on hand (95%) and diluting it with distilled water using the dilution calculator on this site. Here's the recipe:

White Sambuca

* 1 litre of alcohol (40%abv)
* 1/8 tsp anise essential oil (15 drops or use equivalent pure aniseed extract from Supermarket)
* 2 cups of granulated sugar (can be in form of invert syrup)
* 1 tsp glycerine (for smoothness)

Add anise oil to alcohol and shake vigorously to dissolve. Add sugar and glycerine.

I'm ust not sure how much the invert syrup dilutes the overall %. Is it the same (or similar) to water? I'm planning on using a higher % liter of alcohol to start with the goal of 42% for the finished product.

[MuleKicker]

so your not distilling anything? just makin a drink? Get a proof hydrometer and youll be able to hit what ever % you want. Right every time.

[WalkingWolf]

I should've clarified. On this one it's a quickie--I'll be starting out with grain alcohol on hand (95%) and diluting it with distilled water using the dilution calculator on this site. Here's the recipe:

White Sambuca

* 1 litre of alcohol (40%abv)
* 1/8 tsp anise essential oil (15 drops or use equivalent pure aniseed extract from Supermarket)
* 2 cups of granulated sugar (can be in form of invert syrup)
* 1 tsp glycerine (for smoothness)

Add anise oil to alcohol and shake vigorously to dissolve. Add sugar and glycerine.

I'm just not sure how much the invert syrup dilutes the overall %. Is it the same (or similar) to water? I'm planning on using a higher % liter of alcohol to start with the goal of 42% for the finished product.

1000mls X 0.40 = 400mls (of 100% alcohol)
400mls / 0.95 = 421mls (of 95% alcohol)

You'll need 421 mls of the 95% alcohol. THEN you will need to add 579 mls of some other liquid to make 1 liter of 40% alcohol (or there about). This is the part you'll have to experiment with. If you add 579mls of simple syrup you will have a very sweet drink.

You'll need to add the glycerine (a little bit is good but a lot aint) then the amount of "sweet" you want then the rest with water. Good Luck.

EDIT: Take 400mls of water and dissolve the 2 cups of sugar and add the glycerine to this. Then add water to make 579mls and add this to the 421mls of 95% and you should have what you're after