How to make starka vodka at home. What is starka

In the Baltic States and Poland in the 15th century, a strong drink appeared that could knock down the stark. She was received on the occasion of victories, good deals and the birth of an heir. If we talk about the technology of preparing a drink, then it is somewhat reminiscent of whiskey. It was this feature during the Soviet era that gave it the popular name "Soviet whiskey".

Previously, starka was obtained by double distillation of rye wort. Then held in oak barrels at least 10 years in cellars. They could even bury them in the ground. The drink had a pleasant shade and taste due to the presence of pear and apple leaves, as well as spices and herbs.

Nowadays, you can also make a stark, but you just need to observe all the subtleties of its production. The recipes that have come down to us have undergone changes. Let's try to reproduce them.

Tincture preparation options

At the moment, we can talk about several tincture recipes. If you study them, you can recreate the legendary alcoholic drink.

1. A simplified version of the tincture. One lemon is cut into cubes and placed in a prepared container. Three tablespoons are poured into it oak bark... You will also need half a teaspoon of nutmeg. Add some vanilla on the tip of the knife. Grind the coffee beans and use a teaspoon. Sugar will need two teaspoons. All ingredients are poured with alcohol in the amount of three liters. The tincture is kept for about one and a half weeks in a dark place. It is then filtered and bottled again.
2. Soviet starka. This recipe was popular during the Soviet era. For its preparation, one liter of vodka was used, to which a high concentration alcoholic infusion of apple and pear leaves was added in the amount of one glass, one and a half glasses of brandy and half a glass of port. Poured in a little vanillin and two teaspoons of sugar syrup.

The future drink is infused for one week and filtered several times. Now you can taste it.

In order to cook starka according to this recipe, you first need to make an alcoholic infusion from the leaves. To do this, pear and apple leaves are tightly packed into a jar and poured with 70% alcohol. After a week, the resulting liquid can be used to prepare starka.

The proposed recipes will help you to make the legendary starka in the shortest possible time without all the difficulties, including steeping in oak barrels and double ferrying. All the ingredients in the recipe will allow you to get the taste and aroma of the original tincture.

Connoisseurs of strong alcohol, for sure, are familiar with such a name as Stark. This tincture was mentioned in the works of Bulgakov and Kuprin, and in a rather laudatory form.

Starka - rye alcoholic drink, which is a cross between wine and vodka, light brown in color, with a complex aroma and a slightly pungent taste.

Strong tincture , which quickly strikes in the head, appeared on the territory of the Lithuanian and Polish states back in the 15th century, a little later they began to be engaged in its manufacture in Belarus.

It is believed that this drink used to know those times on solemn occasions - the conclusion of contracts, victory in battles, the birth of a child, etc.

Already after tincture gained popularity in the USSR, they began to informally call it Soviet whiskey, since the process of making the drink is very similar to the mentioned alcohol.

Starka has a very unusual taste, and it can take up to several decades to mature. Traditional technology involves a double distillation of rye wort, which is then drained into strong oak containers and put into cool cellars for at least 10 years... Sometimes the barrels were even buried in the ground. Thanks to the addition of pear and apple leaves, as well as a mixture of spices and various herbs, the drink acquired an unusual aroma, taste and shade.

The main role in the process of making the tincture belongs to the alcohol-based. Fermented rye wort is placed in distillation cube, where double distillation takes place.

To get a drink with a more pleasant taste, it is infused in old oak barrels, in which wine or port has already matured.

For the manufacture of Starkey in an industrial environment, the following are used Ingredients:

• Rectified alcohol;
• cognac;
• purified water;
• infusion of pear and apple leaves;
• port wine.

All components mix and insist.

The length of the holding period may vary. For example, in Russia Starka insists 10 years, while in Poland this period can be increased up to 50 years!

One of the important cooking conditions good drink is an cool(storage temperature should not exceed 12 degrees). That is why barrels with tincture are placed in basements where there is an appropriate microclimate. With strict adherence to all the rules and recommendations, you can get strong alcohol, which is characterized by a bitter taste and a stunning cognac aroma with pear and apple notes.

As you know - the standard process for making Stark vodka very complex and time consuming. However, this does not prevent you from getting a drink at home. The only negative is that only a few moonshiners are waiting for Starkey to fully mature.

For several centuries, the technology of preparing the drink has undergone dramatic changes, however, if all the recommendations are followed, you can prepare a tincture very similar to the original.

Among the many recipes for making homemade tinctures, there are 3 options that are equally suitable for both people living in apartment buildings and owners of private backyards.

Option 1

To prepare a drink according to this recipe, you must take following ingredients:

• Good quality vodka - 0.5 l.;
• zest with 1/4 lemon;
• sugar - 1/4 tsp;
• oak bark - 1 tsp;
• natural coffee - 3 grains;
• ground nutmeg - 0.5 tsp.

Preparation

Option 2

The manufacturing technology is the same as in the previous recipe, however, there are differences in the set of components: vanillin is used here, ground coffee and instead of zest - lemon wedges... The rest of the ingredients are the same, the only difference is their quantity. To prepare the bitter tincture according to the second recipe, we need the following ingredients:

• High-quality vodka - 3 l.;
• sugar - 2 tsp;
• lemon - 1 pc.;
• oak bark - 45 gr.;
• ground coffee - 1 tsp;
• vanillin - 2 gr.;
• nutmeg - 0.5 tsp

Preparation

• Finely chop the lemon and place in a glass jar.
• Add ground coffee, sugar, nutmeg, oak bark and vanillin there.
• Pour all components with vodka.
• Close the container with an airtight lid and place in a cool place, where to infuse for 10 days, but it is better to extend the exposure period to at least two weeks.
• After that, the drink must be filtered 2-3 times and bottled.
• Store in a cool place.

Option 3

The tincture prepared with this recipe is the closest to factory standards The following ingredients should be taken

• Vodka - 1 liter (if possible, it is better to use moonshine from rye wort, double distilled);
• cognac - 50 gr.;
• port wine - 100 gr.;
• alcoholic infusion of apple and pear leaves - 25 ml.;
• vanillin - 0.5 tsp;
• sugar syrup or fructose - 1 tsp.

Preparation

• First, an infusion of pear and apple leaves is prepared. To do this, mix 20 gr. first and 50 gr. second.
• The mixture is placed in a glass container and poured with 70% alcohol (1 l.)
• Close the container and leave for a week in a cool place.
• After this time, the apple and pear infusion will be ready.

Now proceeds directly to the preparation of the tincture itself.

• All ingredients used in this recipe are mixed in glass jar.
• The container is tightly closed and placed in a cool place.
• Insist for 5 days (at least), while the can of the drink must be shaken periodically - at least 1 time / day.

The tincture is ready.

People living in the private sector have a significant advantage over residents of apartment buildings, because they can cook Starka according to the original recipe.

To do this, you need to prepare the above components and an already used oak barrel, in which you mix sugar syrup, rye moonshine, port wine, cognac, vanillin, fresh leaves apple trees and pears.

The container with the mixture placed in it is closed and sent to the cellar. Now it only remains to wait at least 10 years. Of course, it seems like a very long time, but believe me - it's worth it.

As a result, you will get a truly elite drink that will become your pride. But if you are impatient to try the tincture as soon as possible and you are not ready to wait such a long time, there is more quick option preparation of a drink.

On sale you can find Stark vodka, obtained in a short time. The following ingredients were used to make it:

• Cognac;
• vodka;
• port wine;
• rosemary;
• vanilla;
• leaves of apple and pear trees.

It is moonshine that is used to make almost all bitters, including Starkey.

To get a drink that is truly aromatic, does not exude an unpleasant odor of various impurities and fusel oils, after which the next day a headache is severe, it is necessary to properly prepare the solution.

First, choose the right raw material for the wort (ideally rye). You can use another type of moonshine, however, it should be borne in mind that the taste of the final product depends on the initial raw materials, the amount of yeast and sugar. For example, if you use legumes or potatoes, then you will end up with a sufficient amount of alcohol, however, it will be of very low quality. In this regard, additional distillation, filtration of the solution and thorough purification will be required.

Regardless of the type of raw materials used, it is very important to follow the technology for preparing the drink.

The solution is brought to the concentration of the alcohol base according to the recipe. If alcohol is indicated - up to approximately 70%, if vodka - up to 40%.

Usage rectification column will help you get a better quality moonshine with a minimum amount of impurities. Otherwise, the manufacturing process for Starkey is similar to that described above.

As you already understood, it is not so difficult to prepare a drink on your own that matches the original one as much as possible. Moreover, now it is quite possible to do without a long insistence, double distillation alcohol base and other difficulties.

Correctly selected ingredients, even with a short maturation period of the tincture, will help you get the same tasty and aromatic drink as the original Stark vodka.

Starka belongs to the category of "national vodkas" - the production of this strong alcohol (alcohol content from 40 to 50 degrees) began in the 15th century in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - in the present territories of Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus and western Russia. A real starka has a complex aroma of aged cognac with hints of rye, the taste is soft, with a slight bitterness.

Peculiarities. The technology for the production of starka is simple: rye wort was subjected to double distillation in alembic, the result was rye vodka (moonshine) - not yet old. Famous drink it became later, after 10-50 years of aging in oak wine barrels at a temperature not higher than 12 degrees.

Also important is “ secret ingredient"- the starka was aged with pear and apple leaves, and linden blossom was also often added. The result was a bitter and aromatic vodka with a mild taste that does not give off alcohol and fusel oils at all.

Starka vodka received special recognition in the 19th century, when cheap potato moonshine and alcohol appeared on the market. high class stood out as a separate segment.

Stark is often called "Russian whiskey", and the name itself comes from the Polish word meaning both the aging process and an elderly woman.

There was a tradition in the landlords' farms: on the day of the birth of the heir, the head of the family poured a barrel of starki, sealed it with wax and buried it under the ground. They dug up the drink on the day when the grown child got married.

In the 19th century, starka was produced by the Lviv company of the Bachevskys and several Lithuanian distilleries, and at the time Soviet Union on the territory of the USSR, a liqueur "Stark" was produced, due to the essence of herbs, quite reliably imitating the taste of the original drink, but in fact it had nothing to do with it.

The stark looks like cognac, the taste is more like whiskey

Today, starku is produced by the Polish company Polmos Szczecin, and there are also bitters on the market that are not made according to the original recipe, but contain most of the components of real starka.

Starkey recipe

To prepare a classic stark, you need to pour the double-distilled rye moonshine into an oak wine barrel, add pear and apple leaves (linden blossom optional), close the barrel, leave it in the basement for at least 10 years.

If it is not possible to infuse the distillate in a barrel, you can try to make a starka at home using a simplified version, simply imitating the taste.

Ingredients:

• vodka (rye moonshine) - 1 liter;
• oak bark (pegs) - 15-20 grams;
• ground coffee - a third of a teaspoon;
• ground nutmeg - on the tip of a knife;
• vanilla sugar - on the tip of a knife;
• apple leaves - 20 grams;
• pear leaves - 20 grams;
• dried linden blossom - half a teaspoon;
• sugar - 1 teaspoon;
• lemon peel - from a third of the fruit.

Oak bark is sold at the pharmacy. To remove excess tannins before use, I advise you to pour boiling water over it, leave for 10-15 minutes, drain the broth, then rinse again cold water... Pegs (chips) for infusing strong alcohol can be found in special stores for distillers, you need to work with them according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Preparation

1. Lemon wash in warm water, remove the zest without touching the white bitter pulp.

2. Put all the ingredients in a container for infusion - a jar. Pour in vodka, stir. Close the lid tightly.

3. Insist 6-12 days in a dark room with room temperature... After five days of aging, taste the taste once a day. When a pleasant aroma and characteristic cognac taste appears, filter the drink through cheesecloth and cotton wool. Add more sugar for sweetness if desired.

Attention! If you overexpose the drink on bark or pegs, an unpleasant oak flavor may appear.

4. Pour the finished starka into bottles for storage. Close hermetically. Before use, let it brew for 3-4 days in a cool dark place.

Fortress - 33-36%. The shelf life is up to 5 years.

Test date: May 2011

Conclusion on the test results.

Bitter tincture "Stark" poured into round bottles with a slight thickening on the neck - exactly the same ones, according to our observations, were poured vodka "Dymka" and vodka "Onezhskaya". Label at "Starkey" rectangular, red-black with yellow elements, which, due to the quality of the material, are perceived as golden; the whole red field is occupied by a pleasant vegetative pattern. Generally, appearance the bottle pleases with its cleanliness and neatness - it's nice to take it in hand. The bottle cap of this tincture is metal, screw; there is no dispenser on the bottle.

To begin with, we note that the declared calorie content of this tincture is slightly higher than that of most vodkas. Smell at tinctures "Stark" very good, the aroma is really rich and complex, but what stands out, in our opinion, is not the aroma of cognac, but the characteristic smell of crystal alcohol (inherent in other products of the plant). The taste is pleasant, complex, rich, very slightly sweet; as for the pungency, we would not call Stark particularly pungent. The tincture is drunk quite easily and pleasantly, on the whole making a positive impression.

The final mark of the "Stark" tincture is "excellent".

Stark refers to the strong alcoholic beverages... But it doesn't taste like vodka. Starka is a bitter tincture and its calorie content is higher than that of vodka. Consumers are interested in knowing what its peculiarity is and whether it is possible to prepare this original drink at home.

Description of stark bitters

It was first produced in the 15th century on the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Rye wort was distilled twice and the resulting strong wort was poured into oak barrels. Linden flowers, apple and pear leaves were added. Withstood the drink (aged) from 10 to 50 years or more. We used new oak barrels. The tincture in them acquired a greenish-amber color. If barrels were used, in which port was previously stored or, vodka quickly gained color - a dark golden-reddish, but aged more slowly.

The finished starka contained 43% alcohol, was considered difficult to manufacture, expensive and refined. She had a unique aroma, which was called the smell of antiquity. She could only afford to know her on especially solemn occasions.

If 1 tsp. add the oldest drink (aged 70-100 years) to 2.5 liters of purified vodka, all of it will acquire the smell and taste characteristic of starka.

Composition and taste of the drink

The modern stark tincture is an imitation of a noble old drink. Manufacturers achieve a special taste and aftertaste by adding natural extracts and aromas to rye distillate. So, vodka, recreated on the basis of the recipe of private distilleries in Belarus of the 19th century, contains an infusion of oak bark and the following extracts:

• apple;
• pear;
• raisins;
• prunes;
• vanilla.

Different manufacturers use different ingredients in the manufacture of the drink. For example, at the Kristall plant, the dye E150 (sugar color) is used in production, and Soyuzplodoimport uses port wine, leaves of apple trees of the Rosemary variety and pears of the Bera variety.

In the process of its production, special attention is paid to the alcohol base. The modern tincture, produced in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus and Russia, has a mild rich taste, slightly sweetish, with bitterness, and a cognac aroma with a fruity note. Easy to drink.

The best starkey manufacturers

The best and most expensive is the stark tincture of the Polish campaign, produced in Szczecin "Polmos Szczecin". It is made according to old technology and aged in oak barrels. Vodka with aging of 10, 30 and 50 years goes on sale.

With the awakening of historical interest in old brands in the Republic of Belarus, the Brest branch of the Minsk ZVV began to produce "Starka Reserve", and a small amount of distillate is produced in the park-museum of the history of Sula.

“Stumbras Starka” is produced in Kaunas (Lithuania). The tincture contains 43% grain alcohol, wine, etc. Filled in various containers, the 200 ml bottles resemble a flask.

In Russia, starka has been produced since 1931. In 1958, she was awarded the Gold Medal at the International Exhibition in Brussels. Today the starka of JSC "Crystal" is popular. The strength of the drink is 40 °. In its complex aroma, a bouquet of cognac stands out. The drink is bottled in round bottles without a dispenser, with a slight bulge on the neck.

Homemade starke recipes

Over the centuries, the recipe for the drink has changed a lot. It is easy to prepare it at home, starka vodka is based on high-quality rye moonshine has the following composition:

For 2 liters of moonshine, take 40 g of oak bark, 40 g each of pear and apple leaves, 1 tsp. dried linden flowers, 2 tsp. sugar, 0.5 lemon, 0.5 tsp. ground coffee, by a pinch vanilla sugar and nutmeg.

1. Remove a thin layer of zest from the lemon.
2. Pour boiling water over oak bark for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. This technique relieves the raw material of excess tannins.
3. All ingredients are put in a jar, filled with moonshine, covered with a tight lid and put away in a dark, dry place.

The tincture will be ready in 10-15 days. If overexposed, the smell of the bark can overpower all other aromas.

In the Soviet Union, a vodka-based starky recipe was popular. For cooking, you need the following:

• vodka - 0.5 l;
• alcoholic infusion of apple and pear leaves - 15-20 ml;
• sugar syrup - 1 tsp;
• cognac - 30-40 ml;
• port wine - 50 ml;
• vanillin - on the tip of a knife.

Before you start preparing the drink, pear and apple leaves are insisted on alcohol for a week. The infusion should be concentrated. All components are mixed in a jar and kept in a cool place for 7 days.

Stark, prepared according to any of the recipes, after 5 days, you can taste, evaluate its color and smell, and, if necessary, add one or another component. After full infusion, the drink is passed through several filters, poured into bottles and after 2-3 days of aging in the refrigerator, it becomes ready for use. It can be stored for 5 years.