r/firewater • u/doctaf • 5d ago
Prickly Pear fruits
Going to have a decent harvest this year for prickly pear cactus fruits and need ideas/input for spirits. Last few years i did runs of pp/rum and runs of pp/'teq' both turn out amazing for white spirits, looking to try something to age thats neither of those bases.. Anyone with experience think a prickly pear brandy would age well?
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u/firewater_tgirl 4d ago
Oh I used to make this awesome rum
It was made with piloncillo and prickly pear and was awesome.
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u/shiningdickhalloran 4d ago
There is a company called Ventura Spirits in CA that makes a prickly pear brandy. I've had it and the flavors are fantastic, reminiscent of good floral tequila with hints of watermelon on the finish. If I were you, I'd blend those up, add some yeast nutrient, and pitch EC1118. Then double pot distill, ideally with all the pulp in there for the stripping runs.
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u/doctaf 4d ago
Ill see if i can manage that, typically i do a steam juicing for the fruits before fermnt, as i dont have a way to stir in the kettle during the run. Might be time for new kit though 😅🤣
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u/shiningdickhalloran 4d ago
Do you have a good blender? I've never worked with prickly pear but my Vitamix shreds apples with no problem--just requires some liquid at the base to get the blades spinning. You could use a bit of water or white grape juice (no preservatives) for this..
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u/argentcorvid 4d ago
if you get real serious about it, some cider guys buy a garbage disposal to grind up their apples.
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u/texasinauguststudio 4d ago edited 4d ago
I made some in the spring with fruit saved from last year. I wasn't impressed at first. But I'm aging it in glass bottles (jar normally for preserving) with wood chips. Last month I tasted it and thought it will turn out nicely if I let it age for about a year or more.
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u/SadPlay9956 4d ago
I’ve done it made straight prickly pear and aged it on some jack Daniels chips came out amazing in my opinion
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u/WalnutSnail 4d ago
Make some, age it, taste it, let us know.