Clarifying Brandy with Juice Added

[infinibev8]

I'm wondering if anyone has used clarifying agents (sparkolloid and bentonite in particular) to clear spirits that have juice added? I'm going to sweeten a fruit brandy with some more fruit juice. Currently the spirit is sitting at ~110 proof and I'm planning to add some fruit juice then dilute to 60 proof . It'll be kind of like a brandy liqueur but not as sweet (only about 2% residual sugar). Anyone ever do this successfully or anyone have suggestions on what they've done in the past to clear the haze that is inevitable when adding some juice? Also would like to note the brandy will be filtered after clarifying. I've done this with wines I've made in the past but never with spirits.

Thanks for any help/suggestions!

[beelah]

I don't think I would add any of those clarifying agents to the brandy, as you don't know how they will react in a high alcohol environment, or what kind of residual taste they would give to the product...try putting the brandy in a cold place to see if the solids will precipitate out...try the fridge then the freezer...once it settles then carefully take off the clear stuff and keep the sludge at the bottom for your own consumption.

[blind drunk]

I don't think I would add any of those clarifying agents to the brandy, as you don't know how they will react in a high alcohol environment, or what kind of residual taste they would give to the product...try putting the brandy in a cold place to see if the solids will precipitate out...try the fridge then the freezer...once it settles then carefully take off the clear stuff and keep the sludge at the bottom for your own consumption.

+1

If you can get some kind of a glass turkey baster or a wine thief, then you can draw the clear liquid without disturbing the settled haze too much. That haze is so light that the second you move your jar, it starts to rise and mingle with the clear liquid. Inevitably, you won't be able to get it all so just repeat the cycle with the rehazed liquid. It took me a long time without a way to draw off the clear liquid without disturbing the jar. Good luck.

[infinibev8]

I'm not worried about how to obtain the product off the settled material...like I said it'll be filtered anyways. I'm more concerned with whether anyone has had success clarifying spirits with these clarifying agents. I'm already well aware of the procedure to obtain the clear product...just curious whether anyone has actually had success doing this in the past?

[blind drunk]

How do you filter your stuff? I found that a regular old coffee filter never really works on the haze, even when stacked up. Alot of the haze slips through and then the filter clogs rather quickly. Just curious 'cause I'd like to do more of that type of drink. I'm still trying to clarify a pear infused likker that's acting as stubborn as anything. Even worse than the fresh apple juice experiment. Cheers.

[frozenthunderbolt]

How do you filter your stuff? I found that a regular old coffee filter never really works on the haze, even when stacked up. Alot of the haze slips through and then the filter clogs rather quickly. Just curious 'cause I'd like to do more of that type of drink. I'm still trying to clarify a pear infused likker that's acting as stubborn as anything. Even worse than the fresh apple juice experiment. Cheers.

Shock chilling; 3 days in a cold fridge. poured of the clear part in one go into a measuring jug then ran through a filter. got my apple sours perfectly clear.