FIZZY FERMENTED FRUIT COOLERS (FINNISH SIMA)

Fizzy Fermented Fruit Coolers (Finnish Sima) image

A naturally carbonated beverage derived from a recipe for Finnish sima which contains fruit juices, natural carbon dioxide, and some or a lot of alcohol depending on the amount of sugar and fermentation time.

Provided by John@Aunties_Homemade

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes

Time P2DT19h10m

Yield 80

Number Of Ingredients 12

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Ingredients

2 gallons water
7 pounds white sugar, or more to taste
2 (16 ounce) cans cranberry sauce, or more to taste
2 ½ pounds limes, thinly sliced
3 cups mulberries, or more to taste
1 ¼ cups lemon juice, or more to taste
¾ cup dates, pitted
⅓ cup raisins, or more to taste
3 teaspoons ground ginger
½ cup water
10 raisins, or more to taste
1 ¼ tablespoons brewers' yeast

Steps:

Combine 2 gallons water, sugar, cranberry sauce, limes, mulberries, lemon juice, dates, 1/3 cup raisins, and ground ginger in a large pot over high heat. Heat mixture until boiling, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, 20 to 30 minutes.
Boil a kettle of water and use it to rinse the rim and inside of a 5-gallon food-safe container or bucket. Rinse a second time.
Pour the hot sugar-fruit mixture into the sterilized container. Top off with boiling water to 1 or 2 inches below the rim. Cover the container with a clean thin plastic sheet and secure with a large rubber band. Place in a draft-free area until cool, 4 to 5 hours.
Combine 1/2 cup water and 10 raisins in a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover tightly, and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Stir in brewers' yeast. Cover sima tightly and let sit until mixture is a bit foamy, 6 to 12 hours.
Sterilize a spoon with boiling water. Stir the hydrated yeast mixture and pour it into the sugar-fruit mixture in the 5-gallon container. Stir; there should be some bubbles and foam.
Cover the 5-gallon container again with the plastic sheet and secure with the rubber band. Add a layer of newspaper and a board or piece of plywood on top; this will keep out air while allowing carbon dioxide to escape.
Allow the sima to ferment for 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the amount of fermentation and alcohol content you desire.
Sterilize 10 plastic 1.5-liter soda bottles and caps with a 2% bleach solution. Rinse bottles well and allow to air dry.
Fill the bottles with sima and cap them. Let the bottles sit at room temperature until hardened; store in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight or until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 185.7 calories, Carbohydrate 48.4 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 7.3 mg, Sugar 46.2 g