Potato Vodka Recipe

You probably know what vodka is made of. And your curious mind also wanted to explore that world, or make a vodka from scratch and enjoy it on a cold winter night. So the only thing here stopping you is the perfect potato vodka recipe to brew that finest and strongest drink. 

Although vodka can be made from any agricultural product that contains sugar and starch, potatoes are the easiest ones to distil. So, let me share an easy potato vodka recipe that you can make at home. 

How to Make Potato Vodka Step by Step?

Homemade potato vodka originated in Russia and Poland. Back then, they were distilling potato vodka at home without using heavy machinery. So, we are going to use that way to make the vodka here. 

Ingredients

• 5Kg Potatoes
• 1.25 kg sugar
• 10g vodka yeast, or distiller’s yeast
• 7 liters of clean water 

Instructions

Hold on to the instructions; it may feel like a long process, but the result can pay off all of your hard work. 

Step 1: Clean and Cook the Potatoes

First, you need to wash your potato properly. Then you need to chop them into chunks that will work the best. Now toss them in a big pot with enough to to cover all the potatoes. Let them cook until it fully cooked. 

Step 2: Mash and Cool

Once they are tender enough, drain the water and mash everything. Here, make sure the thick paste has no coarse particles on it. Now add 7 liters of water and stir it properly. Then keep it under 25-30 degrees Celsius. 

Step 3: Add Sugar and Yeast

When you feel the mash is comfortably warm, add sugar to it. Then stir it properly to dissolve the sugar in it. Now add the yeast and stir again. After that, transfer everything into a large, sterilized fermentation bucket or carboy with an airlock.

Step 4: Ferment

Find a dark, cozy spot that stays consistently warm (around 20-25°C) and let nature do its work. Over the next 5-10 days, you’ll hear bubbling and see activity as the yeast converts sugar into alcohol. When the bubbling stops and the liquid starts looking clearer, your wash is ready. And that’s when you know it’s time for the next step.

Step 5: Distilling Potato Vodka

This is where things get serious. Make sure distillation is legal where you live before proceeding. Strain out all the solid bits and pour your liquid into a pot still or reflux still. The distillation process requires careful attention as you collect different fractions:

Foreshots: The first 50ml that comes out needs to go straight down the drain. It contains methanol and other nasty stuff you don’t want to drink.

Heads: These have harsh, unpleasant flavors, so discard them too. You’ll know because they taste terrible.

Hearts: This is your prize. Clean, smooth vodka that’s drinkable. Keep this part for sure.

Tails: These have off-flavors but can be saved for redistilling later if you want.

Step 6: Filter and Dilute

Run your hearts through activated charcoal to clean up any remaining impurities. Then dilute it with distilled water to bring it down to a drinkable strength. Around 40% alcohol is standard for vodka. And that’s basically what you get in stores.

Step 7: Bottle and Rest

Pour your finished vodka into sterilized bottles and resist the urge to drink it immediately. Let it rest for a few days to mellow out and develop its character. Good things come to those who wait, and your homemade potato vodka will be worth the patience.

Best Potatoes for Making Vodka

Well, not all potatoes are created equal when it comes to making vodka. If you want the best results, you need to pick the right type. Here’s what you should look for.

Russet potatoes are probably your best bet. They have high starch content, which is exactly what you need for fermentation. Plus, they’re easy to find at any grocery store. You can also use Idaho potatoes since they’re basically the same thing.

If you want something a bit different, try red potatoes. They work pretty well, too, and give you a slightly different flavor profile. Some people say they make the vodka a bit smoother.

Now, here’s what you should avoid. Don’t use new potatoes or waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold. They have less starch and more water, which means less alcohol yield. And trust me, you don’t want to go through all this work just to end up with weak vodka.

Also, make sure your potatoes are fresh. Old, sprouted, or green potatoes can add weird flavors to your vodka. You want clean, firm potatoes without any soft spots or eyes. The better your potatoes, the better your final product will be.

Conclusion

That was all about how can make potato vodka at home. Make sure your area has permission to distill vodka at home. By any means, I am not promoting breaking the law. However, if you are allowed to do this, I am sure you are going to enjoy one of the best vodkas ever. Well, even if the taste and flavor are not that much better, the entire experience can satisfy you without a doubt. 

FAQs

Is It Legal to Make Vodka at Home?

It depends on where you live.Although US government allow you ferment at home, you can not distil it without getting federal and state license. 

How Much Vodka Can You Make From 5kg of Potatoes?

Well, if you are expecting agallonn of vodka, then you are dreaming for sure. You can gea t maximum of 1 litre of vodka from 5kg potatoes.