Introduction to Rattlesnake Whiskey: Overview and Origin
Rattlesnake Whiskey is an unusually-named alcoholic beverage that has rapidly gained attention and popularity. This whiskey, often referred to as Rattler or Rattlesnake Juice by many connoisseurs, originates from the American West where it was once commonly-produced. The original Rattlesnake Whiskey was made from barrel-aged corn whiskey that had been flavored with a high-proof grain alcohol and then infused with rattlesnake meat. Although the meat of venomous snakes has long been known to be somewhat nauseating and unpalatable, this unique use of the rattlers created a unique flavor that proved popular among the Westerners who used to make it and enjoy it during the wilder days of horse rustling, cow punching, and other misdeeds!
Today’s particular version of Rattlesnake Whiskey is an interpretation and adaptation of this old recipe but using more contemporary production methods and ingredients. The distillation process begins much like other types of spirits, following the same protocol for creating corn whiskey before flavoring and infusing with rattler extract for character. Additionally, modern producers have begun experimenting with various fruits such as apples or oranges mixed in for extra complexity in both taste and smell. All rattler whiskeys are made from only domestic ingredients; no imported ingredients are allowed to be used in their creation as per US law.
Overall, Rattlesnake Whiskey is an interesting spirit that has found its way back into fashion after nearly going extinct in some areas decades ago. It tends to have a sweet smoky flavor profile because of its corn whiskey base combined with real flavors derived directly from actual rattlesnakes indigenous to those regions producing this wild beverage! So if you’re feeling adventurous perhaps adding some Rattler juice into your next cocktail will provide just enough thrill without all the danger of actually wresting these reclusive creatures.
What You Need to Make Your Own Rattlesnake Whiskey at Home
Creating your own handcrafted whiskey is an incredibly rewarding experience. The process itself is relatively simple, and it’s the perfect way to get creative with your spirit-making.
So if you’re looking for a unique flavor, you might consider making rattlesnake whiskey at home. This rustic tradition uses a classic moonshine base and blends in rattlesnake to impart an unmistakable (but surprisingly pleasant) taste of the Southwest. Here’s what you need to get started:
Ingredients:
For this recipe you will need 2 quarts of moonshine or white lightening, 5-6 rattlesnakes, 3 cups of honey, 1/2 teaspoon each of nutmeg & cinnamon and 5 large quart jars with airtight lids.
Instructions:
First thing first – find some fresh rattlesnakes! If you can’t hunt them yourself (which we don’t recommend doing), then most local grocery stores carry fresh frozen rattlesnakes in their seafood section. Once you have your snakes, make sure to thaw them before proceeding with the rest of the recipe. Now that your ingredients are gathered – let’s begin!
1) Cut off each snake’s head and tail near its rattle and remove the meat from each body – including any organs or venom sacs – discarding all remains.
2) In a large pot on medium-high heat, place one quart of moonshine along with one cup of honey and all five snake heads & tails separately (make sure they remain separated). Simmer everything – stirring occasionally – for 30 minutes until a thick syrup begins to form around snake pieces inside the pot.
3) Strain out any solid material then pour contents into two different quart jars dividing up the syrup evenly between both jars. Now add remaining moonshine to both jars followed by 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crafting Homemade Rattlesnake Whiskey
Creating homemade whiskey requires a little bit of courage, a lot of patience and a lot of sensibility. But if done carefully and following these steps, you’ll find yourself with a quality finished product – some rattlesnake whiskey that’s sure to turn heads!
Step one: Make sure you have all the necessary tools. If this is your first time making homemade whiskey, or any other liquor for that matter, make sure you have the necessary tools on hand. The basic list should include an unmolded block of spirits clay (for molding), several jars for aging the alcohol and plastic measuring cups for measuring out your ingredients. Don’t forget to get yourself a good set of copper stills as well!
Step two: Prepare the rattlesnake skins. In order to prepare the rattlesnake skins, they must first be rendered recognizably thin by stretching them over an open flame using a pair of tweezers or pliers. This process will allow the scales on the skins to separate while preserving their shape as much as possible. Once cooled and re-shaped by hand, cut away any obviously damaged areas with scissors before grinding them up in a food processor into very fine bits no bigger than one-eighth inch in diameter.
Step three: Mix the mash. Now is where things get interesting; mix together all the ingredients for your mash: ground rattlesnake skin, sugar (refined white sugar or brown raw sugar) water, malt or molasses depending on personal taste preference – measure out roughly 4 oz each per gallon used and add enough yeast so that it has some real “bite”. Allow your mixture to ferment at room temperature until it reaches 20% alcohol strength then distill it using both head runs and tails runs to get a nice blend of fusel oils inside your whisky blend (fusel oils are compounds which contribute flavor notes).
Step four: Aging & flavoring stage Once you’re
Common Questions About Making and Enjoying Rattlesnake Whiskey
Rattlesnake whiskey is a unique, potent spirit made from rattlesnake parts and steeped in high-proof alcohol. It dates back to the Prohibition era and was initially thought of as medicinal. While this grain-alcohol based infusion is not for everyone, it still has a place on many liquor shelves in the United States and abroad. To help inform those who may be curious or skeptical, here are answers to some common questions about making and enjoying rattlesnake whiskey.
Q: What does it taste like?
A: The flavor profile of rattlesnake whiskey is both distinctive and hard to describe. Many people find it earthy due to the herbs used during the process, with slight hints of cinnamon and anise. As far as its “kick” some liken its strength to ingestion of single malt whiskey or tequila rather than moonshine or cheaper grain alcohols.
Q: How do you make Rattlesnake Whiskey?
The traditional process involves infusing sedative herbs and spices like gentian root, valerian root, cinnamon bark and licorice with a large amount of alcohol (traditionally white whiskey). The actual rattlesnake body parts — including venom sacs and rattle segments —are boiled in water with sugar before adding them directly into the mixture along with additional steeping herbs for up to six weeks total. After distilling, filters are added before bottling for consumption or storage. Modern methods vary slightly but usually involve more stringent screening measures than relied upon previously by bootleggers.
Q: Is Rattlesnake Whiskey safe?
Most distillers today use certified lab technicians that ensure their versions adhere to relevant safety protocols for food production purposes regarding microbial contamination levels in the product itself as well as sterilization processes applied during bottle sealing operations. For those who purchase legally distilled versions from reputable vendors without any
Top 5 Facts About Making and Drinking Rattlesnake Whiskey
The practice of utilizing Rattlesnake Whiskey (RSW) dates back to when the earliest cowboys ventured out into untamed American West. Cowboys would hunt and consume rattlesnake thicket along with other game meats, as well as distill any hard liquor they could find locally. Today, RSW is still around and its popularity remains strong, particularly in Texas. Here are five facts about making and drinking Rattlesnake Whiskey:
1. RSW is typically a grain-based whiskey similar to bourbon or rye; however, the taste can differ based on the formula used for each batch. Common ingredients include corn, rye, wheat– but it’s usually up to the distiller’s preference. On top of that there are traditional herbs and spices – cumin, chili powder – added at different points in the process for additional flavor complexity.
2. To make authentic Rattlesnake Whiskey the traditional way is a long process requiring dedication & fortitude – first you are required to capture a live rattlesnake then prepare it by removing its rattle and soaking it in either straight alcohol or brown sugar water overnight prior to adding it into your mash bill.
3. Although modern production methods don’t actively require real live snakes anymore as previously mentioned due too safety concerns (and also some PETA outrage) many distillers still adhere to this tradition with dried rattles mixed right in before distillation and left in during aging to infuse their signature flavour profiles found exclusively in RSW blends one cannot find anywhere else on Earth!
4. When it comes time for bottling these brews you will often find them bottled without filtration so their flavour remains wholly intact – this means that more venom proteins remain within your glass which gives off an incomparable flavor enhancement!
5. Drinking Rattlesnake Whiskey doesn’t run any greater health risk than
Final Thoughts on Whipping Up Your Own Rattlesnake Whiskey at Home
The idea of craft distilling, at least in principle, is an exciting concept. There’s something truly intriguing about the idea of taking a raw product – in this case, whiskey – and adding your own unique spin on it to create some truly incredible flavors. With the availability of do-it-yourself kits and recipes, anyone can try their hand at creating their very own whiskey concoction right inside their own kitchen. From moonshine to whisky-inspired liqueurs, it’s all possible at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Whipping up your own Rattlesnake Whiskey is one unique genre of whiskey that you might not know exists until now! The main ingredient in Rattlesnake Whiskey is rattlesnake venom (and yellows), which provide the drink its signature bite. This wild hillbilly drink became popular in some parts of Mississippi thanks to its unique flavor profile; however, most people don’t realize that crafting this type of whiskey requires a variety of steps such as separating out the rattlesnake heads and tails from the rest of the body before sending them off for dehydration and extraction. The result? A fiery, smoky liquor with notes of menthol and tobacco all balanced by darkly sweet aromas provided by the honey used to extract the venom from the snakeskin. While Rattlesnake Whiskey isn’t for everyone, there are those who appreciate its bold flavor!
For those brave enough to try making Rattlesnake Whiskey at home, it pays off immensely! Though you’ll need safety gear if extracting any sort of venom at home as well as precise measurements due to this type of whiskey being almost two times stronger than regular beverages such as beer or wine. Furthermore, unlike other whiskeys there is no aging required due to how quickly it will mellow down once stored properly over time inside glass bottles kept away from direct sunlight
