How to dilute alcohol. Instructions: how to independently dilute alcohol with water

07.11.2021

Very often we need alcohol to make most of the tinctures at home, but pure 96-degree alcohol is not suitable for us, and the strength of ordinary vodka (40%) in many recipes is not enough. So how can we be, everything is very simple, you need to properly dilute medical alcohol to the strength you need, as a rule, it is enough to achieve a concentration of 70%.

The easiest way to do this at home is to take and dilute alcohol with water, popularly called this method "cold", it is even used in some distilleries. All we need is medical alcohol and the required amount of water.

Alcohol dilution technology with water

  • Alpha - 96.3%(made from rye or wheat);
  • Luxury - 96.3%(grain crops and potatoes 35%);
  • Extra - 96.3%
  • Basis - 96.0%(cereals and potatoes 60%);
  • Higher purification - 96.2%(suitable for the production of cheap vodka);
  • 1st grade - 96.0%(not used for preparing alcoholic beverages).

Here we see a list of all grades of alcohol that can be found on sale in our country. If you have a choice, then it is best to use Alfa alcohol, it is better not to take the last two varieties.

With the second ingredient - water, it's also not so simple, you can't use tap water, even if you boil it first. As practice shows, tap water is often very hard and with various impurities. For best results, distilled or store-bought purified mineral water is ideal, in which case we will protect our diluted alcohol from clouding.

The proportions of dilution of alcohol with water

Probably one of the most difficult tasks is calculating the proportions, how much we need to add to get the necessary strength, for this you can use ours.

This calculator works based on the following formula:

X = NP / M - P

  • X is the number of ml of water to be added.
  • M is the required strength of the final solution;
  • Where N is the initial strength of alcohol;
  • P is the initial volume.

For example, to get 70% alcohol on a medical jar (100 ml), you need to add 37 ml of water.

96 * 100 / 70-100 = 37 ml

It is very important to pour alcohol into water when diluting, and not vice versa, otherwise the solution may become cloudy. And the water must be used cold. This fact was proved by D.I.Mendeleev.

How to dilute alcohol with water to make vodka

If we are faced with a more mundane task, then for this we need to add 140 ml of water, while at the output we get 240 ml. If the resulting solution is being prepared for direct use, we recommend that you slightly refine the taste and smell. To do this, you can simply add a little citrus juice, citric or acetic acid, honey or glucose. We add all these ingredients to taste, but if you overdo it, you can get not vodka, but tincture.

For example, to simply soften the taste, you need to add no more than one tablespoon of acetic or citric acid per liter of vodka, add honey in a ratio of 1 to 10.

Upholding

After we have received the solution we need in strength, we cannot yet call it ready, it needs to be infused for several days, or better for a whole week, this is necessary to complete all the chemical reactions that take place there. Moreover, it is necessary to defend at a temperature of +5 degrees Celsius in a tightly closed and completely filled container, otherwise, upon contact with oxygen, alcohol will lose its properties.

Here's how the solution will settle, you can already safely start preparing various tinctures or other alcoholic beverages at home.

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Each of us knows that alcohol is a rather tough drink, which, even for the usual treatment of wounds in an undiluted form, can cause some harm to the human skin. Naturally, so that pure alcohol cannot become a destructive thing for the human body, it is necessary to learn how to properly dilute it. Moreover, it is used not only for treating wounds, but also for getting everyone's favorite vodka and drinks that are made on its basis. As for the methods of obtaining diluted alcohol with a strength of about 40 degrees, it will not be difficult. The main thing in such a situation is to follow all the rules for the correct creation of vodka from pure alcohol.

How is the correct dilution of alcohol carried out?

Many are sure that the dilution of alcohol consists only in the fact that it will be enough to pour a certain amount of water or any other liquid into it, and after that the vodka will be ready. But actually it is not. This is only due to the fact that for the implementation of this process it is necessary to observe all proportions and other rather significant nuances.

Before proceeding directly to the process of diluting alcohol, pay attention to the fact that there are alcohols with all kinds of strength indicators, among which there is:

  • alcohol of the first-class type with an alcoholic strength of 96%;
  • extra alcohol;
  • alcohol with the highest degree of purification - 96.2%;
  • luxury alcohol;
  • other options.

Depending on the type, the level of purification of this liquid also differs. The very variety of specific types is directly related to what kind of raw materials were used at the stage of making alcohol.

If you decide to dilute alcohol, then for this you should take the purest and most transparent water, which should not contain any additional impurities. An excellent type of water will be that water, which contains no salts. Despite these recommendations, the water must be additionally filtered and purified. If you will dilute alcohol in a purely home environment, then for this it is advisable to purchase special distilled water, which is sold in any pharmacy. It is advisable not to use liquid directly from the tap, as it can further spoil the taste of diluted alcohol.

Tips for the correct dilution of pure alcohol

In the event that you want to properly dilute any type of alcohol, then for this you must take into account the following important steps:

  • one of the key rules for diluting alcohol is that in the process of performing this action, you do not need to pour water into alcohol, but, on the contrary, pour alcohol into pre-prepared purified water. In no case should you do the opposite;
  • do not be guided by your own feelings and mix alcohol with water by eye. If you do this without taking into account the necessary proportions, then you will get the most real swill that is worthless. The ideal ratio between alcohol and water is 2: 3. This ratio was derived by Mendeleev. Therefore, in order to properly dilute alcohol, it is necessary to take 3 parts of purified water into 2 parts of alcohol. Please note that it is advisable to measure such proportions by weight, and not by the volume of the liquid;
  • as soon as you add alcohol to the water, you must immediately shake this mixture with each other. This should be done only with a closed container;
  • if possible, after you dilute alcohol with water, it must be kept in a cold place for 24 hours before direct use.

Rapid Alcohol Dilution Recipe

Very often a person experiences situations when he does not have time to defend vodka made from alcohol in advance before using it directly. In this regard, there is a fairly simple and quick way to dilute alcohol, which will make it possible to obtain a mixture, the taste of which will be very pleasant.

To dilute alcohol according to this recipe, you need to take the following ingredients:

  • juice from one half of a lemon or orange;
  • 200 grams of alcohol with a strength of 96%;
  • 300 grams of distilled or pre-purified water.

As for the direct preparation of this mixture, all the components must be mixed with each other, shaken very well with each other and put in the refrigerator or another place for cooling. A key feature of the citrus fruits included in the composition is that they can slightly reduce the unpleasant smell of alcohol. In addition, vitamin C and other components that are part of citrus fruits will allow you to get rid of the hangover syndrome in the morning and feel an order of magnitude better than after drinking pure diluted alcohol.

Note that other ingredients are used instead of water for dilution. Such alcohol "diluents" can be:

  • glucose solution with a concentration of 10% (for dilution, a 1: 1 ratio is taken);
  • raspberry, cherry, cranberry and apple juice, tonic, lemonade, coffee and tea (the proportions in the dilution process are exactly the same as in the case of dilution with ordinary water);
  • champagne and beer (ratio 1: 1: 1). Naturally, this option is only suitable for strong people who are ready to withstand a fairly extreme mixture on their own bodies.

Therefore, if you have a need to dilute ordinary alcohol well, then you can use this classic recipe, which has been in incredible demand for a huge amount of time.

We dilute alcohol to the state of vodka with a strength of 40%

In the event that you want to dilute alcohol to the state of 40% vodka, for this you need to take:

  • water;
  • alcohol;
  • glucose;
  • citric acid or honey of your choice;
  • 10 tablets of activated carbon.

In this recipe, we will dilute 500 milliliters of pure alcohol. At the first stage, you need to take about 700 milliliters of pure water, add here a small amount of honey, orange juice and glucose. At the same time, you can experiment with such additives, since the taste of future vodka will depend on this. All prepared ingredients should be well mixed with each other, after which alcohol can be added to them. Make sure that the components are as cold as possible during mixing.

After that, it is necessary to add about 10 tablets of activated carbon to the alcohol in crushed form. We mix the components and let it brew for at least one day. After this time has elapsed, the alcohol must be filtered through cheesecloth in order for all the sediment to leave the liquid. After that, the diluted alcohol can be safely poured into containers and stored in a dark place for as long as you need.

Alcohol is a tough drink: even when treating wounds and rubbing with undiluted alcohol, you can get burns, but in some situations it can be very useful. For example, on a hike, in nature - where, in addition to alcohol, you also need to carry a backpack with all sorts of things. And the natural desire of everyone to reduce the weight that will have to be carried with them. In such situations, alcohol is just perfect. Alcohol is also used not only for direct dilution and drinking in this form, but for the preparation of vodka, tinctures and liqueurs at home.

However, getting forty percent alcohol is not so difficult (as, indeed, any other concentration). The main thing is to do it right.

How to properly dilute alcohol

It would seem that it could be easier than diluting alcohol - mixed it with water - and you're done. But no. There are many nuances here.

Firstly, alcohols are different and with different strengths (first-class - 96%, with the highest purification - 96.2%, "extra" - 96.5%, "luxury" - 96.3%, medical and dry (anhydrous) ). The degree of purification of alcohol directly depends on the type. And the variety of species is associated with what exactly the alcohol is obtained from (from which grain).

Secondly, the water for breeding must be taken in the purest, completely transparent, so to speak - without color, taste and smell. In addition, it will be better if there are no salts in it. In addition, this water must be additionally purified, filtered and softened. The finished version is usually called "corrected water". At home, for diluting alcohol, it is best to purchase distilled water at a pharmacy, but in no case take ordinary water from the tap in the kitchen.

How to dilute alcohol with water?

Several points are important here:

First moment. When you dilute alcohol, then it is worth pouring it into the prepared water. Do not under any circumstances do the opposite!

Second point. Do not try to mix alcohol and water "by eye" - you just get swill. The ideal proportion was deduced by Mendeleev - the "father" and creator of the periodic table of chemical elements and vodka as such. He brought out the ideal proportion - 2: 3. thus, you need to take 96% alcohol in the "sizes" of two parts and water - in the "sizes" of three. These "sizes" are best defined not by volume (two hundred milliliters to three hundred), but by weight (200 grams to 300 grams).

Third point. Shake the mixture of alcohol with water (other liquids) in a closed state, preferably turning the container upside down.

Fourth point. It is advisable to keep the diluted alcohol in the refrigerator for about a day.

How to properly dilute alcohol to 40 degrees?

The ideal proportions for diluting alcohol are indicated above, but if you need to get alcohol with a specific and precise strength - 40, 45 or 55 degrees, then the situation is somewhat more complicated.

The whole problem is that when alcohol and water interact, the volume of the mixture obtained as a result is less than the volumes of both liquids separately. That is, by mixing 2 glasses of alcohol and three glasses of water, you will not get five glasses of their mixture. The volume will be smaller.

However, this problem is completely solvable. To obtain alcohol of the desired strength during breeding, you just need to use the Fertman table. This is a special table where all the necessary proportions are indicated for the most accurate dilution of alcohol.

How to quickly dilute alcohol

Sometimes there is a situation when there is simply no time for the obligatory settling of vodka made from alcohol. Then a quick recipe for diluting alcohol will come to the rescue, and the mixture obtained in the end will be quite pleasant to the taste (at least not disgusting).

To do this, you will need everything - nothing: freshly squeezed juice from half an orange or lemon, 96% alcohol - 200 grams and water - 300 grams (you can take a 2: 3 ratio in milliliters). Cooking is elementary - the listed components are mixed, shaken vigorously and cooled well. Citrus juice will overpower the alcoholic aftertaste, and the vitamin C it contains will help prevent morning hangovers and headaches from drinking.

To all of the above, you can add only that alcohol can be diluted not only with water. For this purpose, everyone can use the recipes they like. As "diluents" can be, for example:

  • 10% glucose solution in a 1: 1 ratio
  • citrus juice, cherry, raspberry, apple, cranberry juice, tea or coffee, soft drinks or tonics (proportions 2: 3, as with water)
  • beer and champagne - all components 1: 1: 1 (the mixture, I think, is not for the faint of heart, but it's better to keep silent about the morning)

Among the options for how can alcohol be diluted we didn’t indicate the extreme ones, such as a mixture of alcohol with condensed milk and other, in our opinion, products that are poorly compatible with alcohol.

In principle, drinking alcohol is not harmful, and you can experiment with it endlessly, you just have to remember about the acceptable doses in which the body can perceive it.

The process of mixing the main ingredients, of which there are only two - alcohol and vodka, is quite simple. This method of making vodka is called the "cold" method; it is used both at home and in industrial production. So that the final result does not upset, but pleases with the quality and strength of the product, you need to know how to properly organize the mixing process. So, let's begin.

Requirements for alcohol

The main ingredient in homemade vodka is purified ethyl alcohol. In its pure form, its strength can reach 96.5% (a product of the "Extra" class), but it is best to use alcohol of the "Lux" class with a percentage of strength of 96.3. It is also permissible to use an alcoholic alcohol-containing product of the highest purification of 96.2%, but the quality of the resulting vodka will be an order of magnitude lower.

The right water is important

Particular attention should be paid to water, because when making homemade vodka, a completely justified question arises, and with what water to dilute alcohol?
It is impossible to dilute with ordinary tap water, otherwise alcohol will become cloudy when interacting with it. It is necessary to use special, that is, purified water, the people call it "corrected". Basic requirements for water: must have no color, no smell, no taste, be crystal clear.

You can, of course, take tap water, first let it settle and purify it through a household filter. But best of all, to dilute alcohol, use distilled water, which is sold in a pharmacy, or, alternatively, buy a children's drink in a supermarket.

Quality product proportions

In order for the final product to be good enough to meet the stated strength requirements, the proportions must be strictly observed when mixing the main ingredients.
If the correct ratio of alcohol and water is violated, a low-quality alcoholic product may turn out, more precisely, low-alcohol water.

Even D.I. Mendeleev derived the ideal proportion of high-quality vodka with an acceptable strength (40-42%) - two parts of alcohol to three parts of purified water. It is important that portions are measured not by volume (ml), but by weight (g), this will help to more accurately calculate the strength of the drink.

How to improve the taste of vodka
To give a more pleasant taste and smell, you can add the following ingredients to homemade vodka:

  • sugar or honey;
  • glucose;
  • citric acid;
  • orange peels;
  • food essences and flavors.

Poorly diluted alcohol can be easily distinguished from vodka; after its use, the mouth feels dry and unpleasant. In industry, and in everyday life, to make diluted alcohol (vodka) more soft, food glycerin (5 mg per liter of product) or glucose (20 mg per one liter of vodka) is used as an additive.

What you need to know

For the best quality homemade vodka, obtained by mixing the correct proportions of alcohol and water, there are several important points to consider:

  • alcohol is always poured into prepared water, and in no case is it the other way around. Specialists of homemade alcoholic preparations confirm the fact that the quality of the resulting product directly depends on the mixing process;
  • after dilution, be sure to shake the liquid in a closed container, turning it upside down;
  • the quality of the drink improves if the produced vodka is put in the refrigerator for a day;
  • when mixing 200 ml of alcohol and 300 ml of water, the final product will not have a volume of 500 ml.

If you need to dilute alcohol with water at home, remember 3 key rules that must be strictly observed:

  1. Before dilution the water needs to be cooled(it is desirable that the temperature is not higher than 20 degrees Celsius)
  2. You need to pour alcohol into the water but by no means the other way around
  3. The diluted alcohol must settle

Now more about the procedure itself.

Why dilute alcohol with water?

Considering that our site is dedicated to home brewing and the preparation of other alcoholic beverages, we will consider the use of alcohol exclusively in this area.

A rare drink in the process of its preparation requires the use of 96% alcohol. Even most tinctures are prepared in a weaker solution. Therefore, the only way to get the desired degree is to dilute the alcohol with water.

What is needed to properly dilute alcohol?

It is important to remember that the key to making a good alcoholic beverage is to use quality ingredients. Therefore, the correct dilution of alcohol is the most significant moment in the overall process.

To dilute alcohol to the desired degree, we need:

  1. Alcohol, the degree of which is precisely known.
  2. Chilled water.
  3. Container for diluted alcohol - a glass jar or bottle of the appropriate volume is ideal.

Alcohol, no matter how trite it may sound, should be drinkable and nothing more. No additional admixtures, transparent and preferably already tested. It can also be refrigerated before the procedure, for example, in the freezer.

Pay particular attention to your choice of water. It must be clean. Under no circumstances use tap water, including boiled water. To dilute alcohol, distilled water, water from a pure source or water that is sold in five-liter bottles in stores (in this case, choose according to taste and hardness, because depending on the brand, they can vary significantly), or is brought to order in a container volume of 19 liters.

Where to get distilled water, if the choice is on it? Buy it at the pharmacy (yes, it is not everywhere, but it is sold, just ask the pharmacist) or prepare it yourself by distilling it on a moonshine still.

Not everyone recommends using a distillate to dilute alcohol, although in practice it turns out no worse than using other water. Use distilled water if diluted alcohol is used to make tinctures, as it has no taste. Use “tasty” water to make vodka.

The best option is purchased water in 5 and 6-liter bottles or imported water in 19-liter bottles. Why? Because on such bottles, as a rule, they write the composition of the water. To dilute alcohol, it is recommended to use water with a hardness of less than 1 meq / liter. Look for this parameter on the label.

Alcohol dilution table

To easily dilute alcohol in your kitchen, use the Fertman table, which shows how many milliliters of water you need to pour into 100 milliliters of alcohol of a certain strength in order to get the desired degree.


Examples of using the Fertman table

For example, you have a 90 ° alcohol that you want to make a 35 ° solution. In this case, 100 ml of alcohol must be poured into 163.3 ml of water. Or pour a liter of alcohol into 1 liter and 663 ml of water.

Remember to add alcohol to the water!

Using the Fertman table, you can reduce the degree to the desired one for any alcoholic beverage.

Alcohol dilution formula

In addition to the alcohol dilution table, you can use a special formula. It looks like this:

X = P * (N / M-1)

X- the desired value is the amount of water that will be needed to dilute alcohol to the desired degree (in milliliters)

P- the initial value is the amount of alcohol that you have (in milliliters)

N- the degree of alcohol you have

M- the degree to be obtained

Example: to make vodka from a liter of alcohol with a strength of 96%, you need to pour alcohol into 1.4 liters of water.

Parsing an example: multiply 1000 milliliters of alcohol (1 liter) by the number that is obtained by subtracting one (1) from the result of dividing 96 (the strength of your alcohol) by 40 (the strength you want to get).

1400 = 1000x (96 / 40-1)

Another example: to obtain a solution with a strength of 65 ° from a liter of alcohol, it is necessary to pour the alcohol into a liter of water (998.5 milliliters).

998.5 = 1000x (96 / 65-1)

Another example: to obtain a solution with a strength of 25 ° from 500 milliliters of alcohol, it is necessary to pour alcohol into 1.1 liters of water.

1100 = 500x (80 / 25-1)

Check the Fertman table. Based on it, 100 ml of alcohol with a strength of 80% to 25% can be diluted by pouring into 224 ml of water. Multiply 224 by 5 (5 times 100 milliliters) and you get 1120 - approximately 1.1 liters.

Deposition of diluted alcohol

The final stage of the alcohol dilution procedure is the settling of the finished drink. After diluting and mixing, place a tightly closed container with the resulting solution in a dark place for a week. It is important to observe the temperature regime - the temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius.

If diluted alcohol is needed urgently, then reduce the settling time to two days.

For settling, use a container that is most suitable in terms of volume to the resulting solution. Diluted alcohol should be poured right up to the neck in order to minimize the area of ​​its interaction with oxygen. This will avoid the oxidation reaction and the formation of acetic acid.