Strong tincture of stark. Stark bitter tincture - composition, recipe Aged rye vodka with a mild aroma

Making moonshine and alcohol for personal use
absolutely legal!

After the end of the existence of the USSR, the new government stopped the fight against moonshine. Criminal liability and fines were abolished, and an article banning the production of alcohol-containing products at home was removed from the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. To this day, there is not a single law prohibiting you and me from engaging in our favorite hobby - making alcohol at home. This is evidenced by the Federal Law of July 8, 1999 No. 143-FZ "On Administrative Liability of Legal Entities (Organizations) and Individual Entrepreneurs for Offenses in the Field of Production and Turnover of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcohol and Alcohol-Containing Products" (Collected Legislation of the Russian Federation, 1999, N 28 , art. 3476).

Excerpt from the Federal Law of the Russian Federation:

"This Federal Law does not apply to the activities of citizens (individuals) who produce products containing ethyl alcohol not for the purpose of marketing."

Home brewing in other countries:

In Kazakhstan in accordance with the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Administrative Offenses of January 30, 2001 N 155, the following liability is provided. So, according to article 335 "Manufacture and sale of home-made alcoholic beverages", the illegal manufacture for the sale of moonshine, chacha, mulberry vodka, home brew and other alcoholic beverages, as well as the sale of these alcoholic beverages, entails a fine in the amount of thirty monthly calculation indices with the confiscation of alcoholic beverages , devices, raw materials and equipment for their manufacture, as well as money and other valuables received from their sale. However, the law does not prohibit the preparation of alcohol for personal use.

In Ukraine and Belarus things are different. Articles No. 176 and No. 177 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Ukraine provide for the imposition of fines in the amount of three to ten tax-free minimum wages for the manufacture and storage of moonshine without the purpose of sale, for storage without the purpose of selling devices * for its production.

Article 12.43 repeats this information practically word for word. "Making or purchasing strong alcoholic beverages (moonshine), semi-finished products for their manufacture (mash), storage of apparatus for their manufacture" in the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses. Clause No. 1 informs: "The production of strong alcoholic beverages (moonshine) by individuals, semi-finished products for their manufacture (mash), as well as the storage of devices * used for their manufacture, - entail a warning or a fine of up to five basic units with the confiscation of the specified drinks, semi-finished products and apparatus ".

* It is still possible to purchase moonshine stills for home use, since their second purpose is to distill water and obtain components for natural cosmetics and perfumery.

Starka is a strong alcoholic drink with a fairly high alcohol concentration (at least 40–43%). It is obtained by infusing strong vodka inside oak wine barrels. The drink is especially popular in Eastern Europe. In particular, it is made on the territory of Poland, Belarus, Lithuania and Western Russia. In different countries, the exact name of alcohol may differ (for example, in the Russian open spaces such a product as Starka bitter tincture is produced).

Traditional cooking technique

In the process of obtaining Starkey, special attention is paid to the alcohol base. During its preparation, the fermented rye wort is double distilled inside the distillation still (this technology is similar to the algorithm for producing whiskey). In order for the finished drink to have a pleasant taste, only old barrels (usually oak), which have already been used in the aging process of port or wine, are taken for infusion.

Today, at specialized enterprises, such alcohol is prepared with the help of:

• rectified alcohol;
• filtered water;
• port wine;
• cognac;
• infusion made from apple and pear leaves.

The specified ingredients are mixed and infused.

The duration of infusion in old oak barrels may vary. So, in Russia, the standard aging period is 10 years, and in Poland, the drink can be prepared for 50 years.

One of the most important conditions for obtaining a good-quality product is a low storage temperature (about 12 degrees). In this regard, barrels with a drink are always kept in basements with the necessary microclimate.

If all the rules are followed, a strong drink is obtained, characterized by a bitter taste. However, its main advantage is the cognac smell, which contains notes of apple and pear leaves.

As you can see, the standard Starkey cooking algorithm is quite complex and time consuming. But despite this, this drink can be obtained at home.

In terms of alcohol concentration and depth of aroma, homemade Stark will be slightly inferior to factory counterparts, but this will not prevent you from enjoying really high-quality alcohol.

Most popular recipes

There are 3 ways of cooking Starkey, which are suitable for both the owners of private houses with cellars and people living in apartments.

Recipe 1

To get the drink according to the first recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• high-quality vodka - 0.5 l;
• zest with a quarter of a lemon;
• natural coffee beans - 5 pcs.;
• oak bark - 1 teaspoon;
• sugar - a quarter teaspoon;
• ground nutmeg - half a teaspoon.

The cooking algorithm itself looks like this:

1. Remove the zest from the lemon (it is better to use a special potato peeler for this) and cut it into strips.
2. Pour the specified amount of coffee beans, oak bark, sugar, nutmeg and prepared rind into a glass container.
3. Pour the contents with vodka, close the container tightly and put it in a dark place for at least 10 days (if possible, it is better to increase the infusion period).
4. After this time, it is necessary to strain the drink and pour it back into a glass container for storage.

After that, Stark's homemade bitter tincture will be ready for use. It is perfect for gala dinners. It is recommended to store it in a cool place. A cellar is considered an ideal option, but if it is absent, a closet or refrigerator will do.

Recipe 2

The second recipe is very similar to the previous one, however, in this case, you will need to use vanillin, ground coffee, and lemon wedges (instead of zest). As for the rest of the ingredients, only their quantity will differ. To get Starkey in the second way you will need:

• 3 liters of good vodka;
• 1 lemon;
• 2 teaspoons of sugar;
• 1 teaspoon of ground coffee;
• 45 g of oak bark;
• half a teaspoon of nutmeg;
• 2 g vanillin.

Cooking technology is simple:

1. Cut the lemon into small slices and pour into a glass container.
2. Then add the specified amount of sugar, ground coffee, oak bark, nutmeg and vanillin to the container. All these ingredients are filled with vodka.
3. After that, the container is closed and placed in a cool place for at least 10 days (it is recommended to extend the infusion period to at least 2 weeks).
4. After this time, it is necessary to filter the drink 2-3 times, and then bottle it for storage.

The finished product is served at the table for dinner or during festive dinners. Lovers of sweet alcohol can add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar syrup to Stark.

Recipe 3

According to the third recipe, you can make a tincture that will best meet the standards of factory drinks. For this you will need:

• 1 liter of high-quality vodka (if possible, it is better to use double-distilled rye moonshine as an alcoholic base);
• 25 ml of alcoholic infusion from apple and pear leaves;
• 1 teaspoon of fructose or sugar syrup
• half a teaspoon of vanillin;
• 50 ml of brandy;
• 100 ml port wine.

Preparation:

1. First of all, you need to prepare an infusion of leaves. To do this, mix 20 g of pear and 50 g of apple leaves. Pour the ingredients into a glass container and fill them with 70% alcohol (1 liter is needed).
2. Close the container and leave in a cool place for 7 days. At the end of the 7-day period, the infusion will be ready.
3. After that, the preparation of Starkey herself begins.

The technology is extremely simple:

1. The above ingredients are mixed in a glass container.
2. The container is closed, taken to a cool place and left for at least 5 days.
3. During this time, it is recommended to shake the container at least once a day.
4. After the specified period, the tincture will be ready for use.

Owners of private houses with a cellar have one significant advantage over apartment residents - they have the opportunity to make Starka according to a traditional recipe.

To do this, you will need to acquire the mentioned ingredients and an oak barrel in which the wine was infused. In this barrel, you need to mix rye moonshine, sugar syrup, vanillin, cognac, port, as well as fresh pear and apple leaves.

The container with the resulting mixture is tightly closed and placed in the cellar. After that, all that remains is to wait at least 10 years. However, the result of these expectations will be excellent. You will receive truly elite alcohol, which will become an integral part of the festive table.

Contraindications

Unfortunately, not everyone can drink alcoholic beverages. A product like Starka Bitters is no exception. In particular, it is contraindicated for people suffering from:

• alcoholism;
• allergies to one of the components of the drink;
• diseases of the liver or cardiovascular system;
• high blood sugar.

In addition, it is strongly discouraged to drink Stark during pregnancy. It is also forbidden for women who are breastfeeding. To protect yourself from possible problems, it is better to undergo a preliminary examination. So you will know 100% whether you can drink this alcoholic drink.

Starka is an ancient bitter liqueur with a high degree of strength, which ranges from 40 to 50 revolutions. The history of such a strong alcohol originates in the 15th century in the Baltic States and Poland. It was used on the occasion of the birth of an heir, grandiose victories over enemies and the conclusion of successful profitable deals.

In the vastness of our homeland, starka won special recognition only in the 19th century, when the market was flooded with cheap moonshine and alcohol of a higher quality sold at an affordable price could not go unnoticed.

To date, the producers of Stark vodka have abandoned the original recipe, slightly changing the composition, shortening the exposure time, and produce a tincture that quite authentically imitates the taste of a real drink.

In turn, folk craftsmen did not prevent them from developing their own recipes for making Stark's tincture, which can be simply repeated at home. I invite you to take a closer look at the most popular of them.

Did you know? The rye alcoholic drink got its name from the Polish word "starka", which means "aging process" or "middle-aged woman". The fact is that according to the original production technology, the drink was considered ripe only after it had been aged in oak barrels for 25-50 years.

First version

This method of making Starkey is the most popular among experienced winemakers, since the result best mimics the taste of this alcohol. The homemade alcoholic drink resembles something in between - vodka - and, has a deep amber rich color, complex aroma and a vigorous, pungent taste.

The strength of this alcohol varies from 34 to 36 revolutions, and the maximum shelf life reaches five years.

List of components

Manufacturing process

Second version

Here is presented a more simplified technology for making homemade Starkey, which, as a result, allows you to obtain aromatic vodka with a mild refined taste, in which the smack of fusel oils and alcohol is completely excluded.

List of components

Manufacturing process

1. Rinse the lemon thoroughly, then wipe it dry and carefully remove the citrus zest, while not touching the white pulp.
2. Cut the zest into thin strips.
3. Pour the oak bark into a separate deep bowl and pour boiling water for 10-15 minutes.
4. We drain the broth and rinse the bark with cool running water.
5. We put oak bark, lemon zest, granulated sugar, nutmeg and whole grains of natural coffee in a glass bottle.
6. Fill the components with alcohol, and then tightly close the container with a nylon lid.
7. We send the resulting mixture to a dark, warm room for about 10 days. Shake the contents of the vessel once a day so that the future drink acquires a beautiful amber hue.
8. After this period, we subject the liquid to a thorough double filtration.
9. We bottle the alcoholic drink for further storage.
10. We place the alcohol in a cool place and let it ripen for 3-4 days.

Third version

The manufacturing technology is almost identical to the previous recipe, however, there are differences in the set of components. The finished alcoholic drink resembles aged cognac and has a mild and at the same time strong taste with light hints of citrus.

List of components

Manufacturing process

1. Wash the lemon well and cut into thin slices, while removing the seeds.
2. In a deep bowl, pour boiling water over the oak bark and let it brew for 10-15 minutes. Then we drain the broth and rinse the ingredient with cool water.
3. Place the sliced ​​citrus and prepared bark in a glass tincture bottle.
4. We also send ground nutmeg, ground coffee, vanillin and granulated sugar there.
5. Fill all the components with an alcohol base, mix.
6. We seal the bottle with a tight lid and place it in a cool room.
7. We insist the product for at least two weeks, while shaking it well once a day.
8. We filter the alcohol twice through a gauze and cotton filter.
9. We can start tasting right away, but it is better to let the alcohol ripen for at least two days.

Fourth version

According to the assurances of many connoisseurs of high-quality alcohol, this version of Starkey is almost completely consistent with factory standards. The drink delights with its sweet-bitter aftertaste, wonderful complex aroma and rich beautiful color.

The only drawback of this alcohol is a really long aging, however, I assure you, you will prepare a truly noble drink that will become your pride in winemaking.

List of components

Manufacturing process

Preparation of alcoholic infusion

1. Put the previously washed and dried apple and pear leaves in a glass jar.
2. Pour alcohol with a strength of at least 70 turns there.
3. We seal the jar tightly and insist in a cool place for at least one week.
4. Filter the finished infusion through a gauze filter and store in the refrigerator. To prepare Starkey, we need only 30 ml of this product.

Making Starkey vodka

1. In a glass vessel for long-term tincture, mix moonshine, cognac and port.
2. Add vanillin, fructose and 30 ml of alcoholic infusion prepared on apple and pear leaves there.
3. We seal the container hermetically and transfer it to a cool room.
4. For the first week, shake the contents of the jar daily, at least once a day.
5. After we insist the drink for 10 years in a cellar or any other cool place.
6. We pass the present product through a cotton and gauze filter and enjoy the taste of elite alcohol.

Video of Stark vodka recipes

In order to thoroughly study the method of making Stark vodka at home, I propose to view several curious recipes presented in the video.

Video # 1.

Video number 2.

In this video, a master winemaker will teach you how to cook an analogue of the Soviet Starkey, which has won the hearts of many lovers of spirits. In addition to training, the master will taste the finished drink and share his impressions.

Video number 3.

After reading this video, you will learn how you can make a bitter tincture a la Stark at home without long exposure.

Useful information

• Maybe someone will be interested in information about how to “dilute vodka” so that it retains its qualities as much as possible.
• It is also very important to know what is right to eat vodka in order to fully reveal its advantages and disadvantages.
• Still inexperienced moonshiners will need information on how to “purify vodka” at home.

Precise observance of proportions and adherence to the recommendations will help you prepare an alcoholic drink as aromatic and tasty as the original Stark tincture.

You can feel free to experiment with the ingredients, but do not forget that the main "secret ingredient" of this product is pear and apple leaves. Share your own Starkey recipes and be sure to let us know what makes them so remarkable. Good luck in winemaking!

The variety of alcohol allows you to choose the best option for any occasion, event and individual preference. One of these spirits is Stark's bitter tincture, which has been known since ancient times, and was also mentioned in some literary works. In Soviet times, the drink found its consumers, although the recipe has already changed slightly. Today, the need for such alcohol is not only among ordinary buyers, but also among aesthetes who want to try what taste Stark has.

What is the composition of the tincture called Stark

Classic bitters have been prepared for more than one year, sometimes up to 40 years. Drinks were popular not only in Russia, but also in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and other territories. Initially, there was even a tradition that alcohol was placed in oak barrels and insisted at the birth of a child, and the containers were opened only after his majority.

Currently, not everyone can wait so many years for Starkey to be fully prepared. With a strong desire, you can find a company that adheres to just such traditions, and, despite the labor costs, a significant aging period, produces such an elite alcohol of many years of aging. Naturally, such a product has a fairly high cost and is not suitable for every consumer. A good alternative is the classic bitter Starka, which does not have such a long exposure, but in terms of taste, it is practically not inferior to its solidity. It is this drink that has become more famous and popular for many connoisseurs of alcohol, has positive reviews, some even try to prepare similar solutions at home.

If we consider an old recipe, then bitters called Starka were prepared as follows:

• Formation of a rye mixture used as wort;
• Double distillation or distillation in several stages, which allows you to get rid of unpleasant accompanying odors, tastes;
• Adding ingredients that together make up the original Starkey taste. The main additives include apple, linden leaves, herbs, spices and some other ingredients that are still considered secret;
• Infusion. A special feature is not only aging for at least 10 years, and sometimes even over 40, but also the container itself. It is obligatory to use oak barrels, but not new ones, but already used for port wine. Such manipulations were needed in order to fill the specific aroma of the drink, as well as color. In addition, the already used oak barrel contains a lower concentration of tannins.

Now it is impractical to use such a recipe, as new technologies appear, you can create a similar taste in other ways.

It is not known whether in order to save money or to obtain a similar drink, but in a short time, Starka appeared, on the label of which there was an inscription bitter tincture or old vodka. This recipe had the following composition:

• Vodka;
• Cognac;
• Port wine;
• Leaves of pears, apples, vanilla, rosemary.

All these ingredients were mixed in certain proportions and the alcohol had a rather original flavor. Regarding the degree of intoxication, such a bouquet acted on everyone in different ways.

Currently, you can find various interpretations of the drink, each manufacturer offers its own recipe, but as a result, they are quite similar in taste, the strength is about 40%. You can buy bitter tincture freely in specialized retail outlets, the cost is quite acceptable, long-term alcohol will cost more, which must be chosen especially carefully. A fake can be hidden under an elite brand, and it is good, if just with the lowest exposure, it is worse if alcohol and low-quality additives were used for production.

Stark at home

For those who like to experiment with alcohol, you can find a recipe according to which you can prepare alcohol under the Stark brand yourself. There is an opportunity to completely repeat the taste of a well-known product or to slightly supplement it. Regarding exposure, it is not necessary to wait 10-15 years, there are options where you can insist on pleasant alcohol in 10-15 days and, as the reviews show, only a specialist can determine the origin of such a product.

There is more than one Starkey recipe, but from the most commonly used methods, one can single out a drink with the addition of cognac and only from vodka, diluted alcohol or moonshine.

Moonshine as a base for tincture

It is himself that is most often taken for the base of tinctures, including Starke. In order for the drink to really turn out to be fragrant, does not exude the smell of fusel oils, impurities, the effect of which is reflected in the state of health after drinking, it is necessary to correctly prepare the solution. At the initial stage, you should choose the raw material for the wort and it should be mainly rye, if you want to make a true Stark. Another type of moonshine is also suitable, but you need to understand that raw materials, yeast, sugar directly affect the future taste of moonshine, the average yield. If, for example, potatoes, legumes are used, then a sufficient amount of alcohol will be obtained, but it will not meet high quality requirements; repeated distillation, additional methods of purification, filtration of the solution will be required.

Regardless of the type of raw material, it is important to observe the cooking technology and further preparatory work. It is necessary to bring the solution to the alcohol concentration that the recipe contains. If vodka is indicated, then the mixture must be brought to 40%, alcohol to about 70%. With a minimal amount of impurities, it is easiest to obtain it using a rectification column. With a strong desire, you can make a decent alcohol solution using a classic moonshine still, the main thing is to choose the right recipe, not deviate from the technology, use auxiliary devices, for example, a settler, a reflux condenser, and also not neglect re-distillation. It was the secondary distillation that was used by the ancient distillers, when rye mash was prepared for the starka.

Tincture with cognac

Some people may be intimidated by the list of ingredients, as it is believed that mixing alcohol leads to a severe hangover. If everything is done correctly and in moderation, then such consequences can be avoided. Starka immediately with the addition of cognac is prepared quickly, since it is not necessary for the solution to be saturated with the taste of an oak barrel, this aroma is already present in the additional ingredients. The composition of this tincture contains:

• The base is in the form of vodka, diluted alcohol, moonshine;
• Ready infusion of apple, pear. If possible, it is better to take fresh leaves of fruit trees, linden;
• Cognac;
• Port wine;
• Vanilla sugar.

At first glance, this mixture seems strange, but if you observe the selected proportions, you get a really bitter tincture, but with peculiar taste shades. The approximate number of components looks like this: 0.5 liters of vodka, 50 ml of brandy, 50 ml of port wine, a few drops of tincture from the leaves of fruit trees or a few leaves of plants, vanilla on the tip of a knife to taste. All this is mixed, removed for 5-6 days in a dark place. The recipe can be modified by the amount of cognac, port, which directly affects the taste. Vanilla is an optional ingredient and must be added with care so as not to make the alcohol sweetly cloying. Sometimes cognac-like fillers are replaced by flavors, concentrates that imitate the taste of additives.

If you read the composition of alcohol produced in an industrial environment, then the list of components is very similar to this particular recipe. In addition, colors, natural dyes can be used, and instead of natural cognac, a cognac drink can be used, which does not significantly change the taste, color.

Tincture on vodka like "Stark"

For those who do not risk mixing various alcoholic beverages and insisting them, there is a recipe based on vodka and spices. An excellent alternative to well-purified moonshine, because the production of the tincture will allow you to diversify the usual alcohol solution.

To create a flavoring bouquet similar to the classic bitter tincture under the brand name "Stark", you will need:

• Alcohol base in the form of moonshine, vodka or diluted alcohol;
• Ground coffee;
• Lemon;
• Infusion of oak or bark;
• Ground nutmeg;
• Vanillin.

It is difficult to call such a drink elite, but the taste is quite pleasant, and the additives themselves are all natural, which is very important for many creators of tinctures at home. There is a category of distillers who do not accept concentrates, dyes, although some of them do not pose a particular danger, are used in the food industry.

If you count on six liters of moonshine, then you need two lemons, 3 tablespoons of sugar, one ground coffee, a pinch of vanilla and 100 grams of oak bark. All this is mixed, infused for at least 10 days, filtered. The alcohol taken for the base should be at least 50%, since the additional components will slightly reduce the total strength of the solution.

You can create your own Starkey recipe, trying with various additives, but in order not to waste time, not spoil the raw materials, it is better to start with small volumes. If moonshine is taken as the basis, then for its brewing it is not necessary to save on equipment, raw materials, since all this can affect the future product, the productivity of the entire distillation system.

Another option is to purchase a ready-made drink from a trusted manufacturer and at a specialized outlet.