etStuck on a desert island, how would you make ethanol

[will12]

Hi,

This is just a thought thing.

So say you were stranded on a desert island could you make spirits? For example you wouldn't have yeast. You might have only say clay, stones and wood to make a still. Could you use say honey and water and wild(natural yeast) for your fermentation. Hence just let it all ferment and then create your clay still. What other options would you likely have, you may have say cocunuts as well.

[Caveguy]

You only need the sap of a coconut tree.

You can get it by cutting off the flower before it opens and collect the sap that leaks out of the stem during the night.
That will give you a rather sweet juice that starts fermenting spontaneously.
Just leave it bubbling for 2-3 days, but don't wait too long or you'll end up with vinegar. (which is rather good for use in food).
Distill the toddy , tuba or palm wine (that's how the fermented juice is called) and you'll end up with a 50% clear alcohol called Arrack , Lambanog or coconut vodka.
You can drink it pure, flavored with fruits or let it age inside a coconut that you bury for a couple of months. (I still have to try the coconut, but the idea is interesting)

You can do the same with sugar cane juice, but i can imagine that it would be hard work to get the juice out of the canes without tools.