Grandma's Apple Jack

[derien]

I've got some hard cider in the fridge which has gotten really kickass in the past week, and it's inspired me.  I'm going to attempt to make apple jack the way my grandmother actually instructed me: A handful of raisins, two or three cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, and a shot of rum to get it started in the right direction, then stick it behind the woodstove for a week or two.  Only, I don't have a woodstove so I've put it in the oven - it's a gas oven, so the pilot light keeps it warm.  I just have to remember to not turn on the oven without taking the cider out, first, as it's a plastic jug. 

Now, my question for all you bright people out there:  How do I stop the fermentation process when I judge it 'done'?  Or do I not get that option?  Does it just go until it feels like being done?

Comments

[derien.livejournal.com]

That would be really lovely of you and most welcome, because you're right - I don't really want to join to ask just this one question. I don't think I'm going to be doing lots of homebrewing, I just wanted to try this one thing. Have been wanting to for years, but the time of year when you can get cider with no preservatives is so short.