How to Make Dandelion Wine

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When life gives you a yard full of dandelions, make dandelion wine! Instead of spraying or destroying dandelions, cut a bucket full and make a batch of wine using sugar, yeast, and citrus. Once you ferment and strain your concoction, you can enjoy dandelion wine that has a mild, floral taste. This sweet wine has a moderate alcohol content, so it's great as a dessert wine.

Ingredients

  • 16 cups (3.8 L) of boiling water
  • 16 cups (2 kg) of dandelion flowers, stems removed and rinsed
  • 3 lemons, sliced
  • 3 oranges, sliced
  • 1 cup of (145 g) of raisins
  • 5 1/2 cups (1 kg) of white granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (12 g) of wine yeast or active dry yeast

Makes 4 25  fl oz (740 ml) bottles

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Mixing the Dandelion Wine

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  1. You can buy winemaking supplies at a local homebrewing and fermenting store or find equipment online. Don't use soap to clean your materials because soap leaves a residue. Instead, use a scrub brush and hot water to sterilize your pot, spoon, bottles, and strainer. To make dandelion wine, you'll need: [1]
    • A pot that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L)
    • Fine-mesh strainer
    • Cheesecloth
    • Fermenting container
    • A thin plastic tube for siphoning
    • 5 wine bottles
  2. Take a big bucket into a field of dandelions that haven't been sprayed with pesticides. Pluck the dandelion heads and toss them into the bucket. Try not to pick any leaves or stems, since you don't want anything green, which makes the wine bitter. When you get home, measure the flowers to see if you have 16 cups (2 kg). [2]
    • Pick your dandelions on a sunny day since they'll be wide open and there won't be bugs hiding in the petals.
    • Some people don't mind leaving the green base attached to the dandelion heads, but it can make your wine taste a little bitter. For the best-tasting wine, cut the petals from the green base of the stem.
    • Enlist help for this! It can take a while to pick 16 cups (2 kg) of dandelions, so ask friends or your kids to pick with you.
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  3. Transfer the petals into a pot that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) and carefully pour in 16 cups (3.8 L) of boiling water. Then, cover the pot and put it in a dark room at room temperature. Leave the petals to soak for 3 days so they infuse the water. [3]
  4. Get out another pot that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) and set it on the stove. Place a colander or fine-mesh strainer over it and lay a few pieces of cheesecloth in it. Take your infused dandelion water and slowly pour it through the strainer so the cheesecloth catches all of the petals. Then, throw away the petals. [4]
    • You can push against the petals with the back of a spoon or gather the cheesecloth and squeeze it to get all of the water into the pot.
  5. Cut 3 lemons and 3 oranges into slices and add them to the pot. Stir in 1 cup of (145 g) of raisins and 5 1/2 cups (1 kg) of white granulated sugar. [5]
    • The citrus lightly flavors the wine and the raisins can give the wine some body.
  6. Turn the burner to high and stir the mixture occasionally. Boil it for 30 minutes so all of the sugar completely dissolves and the raisins plump up. [6]
    • Use a long-handled spoon so you don't burn yourself if the hot liquid splatters.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Fermenting the Wine

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  1. Get out a fermenting container that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) and pour the strained dandelion water into it. Set the liquid aside to cool for at least a few hours or until it's room temperature. [7]
    • It's really important to cool the liquid before you add the yeast or the heat will kill the yeast.
    • You can use a sterilized bucket, jar, or container with a lid to ferment the wine.
  2. Before you add the yeast, read the label and check the expiration date. If the yeast hasn't expired, sprinkle 1 tablespoon (12 g) of it over the liquid in your fermenting container. There's no need to stir the yeast. [8]
    • Wine yeast is best for this recipe, but if you can't find it, you can substitute the same amount of active dry yeast. However, your wine might be cloudy and the taste may be a little off if you use active dry yeast.
  3. Spread a layer of cheesecloth over your fermenting container and secure the edges. [9] Use clothespins to pin the cloth to the edges of a fermenting bucket or use a rubber band to hold the cloth in place on a fermenting jar.
  4. Put the fermenting container back in a dark place at room temperature and leave it for 3 weeks. Stir it once a day until the surface of the liquid stops forming bubbles.
    • The yeast causes the liquid to foam as it becomes active. When it stops foaming, this is a sign that the wine isn't fermenting anymore. [10]
  5. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large container and pour the wine through it. This catches stray dandelion petals, the citrus slices, and the raisins. [11]
    • Stop pouring when there's mainly cloudy yeast sediment in the bottom of your fermenting container.
  6. Give the wine a chance to settle again before you bottle it. Wait 2 or 3 days, then set 5 sterilized wine bottles on your counter. Fill each bottle with dandelion wine and leave space at the top so you can put a cork in. [12]
    • If you have a siphon and clear plastic tubing, use these to siphon the wine from the container into the bottles.
  7. If you try to drink the dandelion wine immediately, it will have a harsh flavor that's not very pleasant. Put your filled wine bottles in a cool, dark space and leave the wine for at least a few months before you enjoy it. You'll be rewarded with mellow, sweet dandelion wine! [13]
    • Remember that dandelion wine has about the same alcohol content as standard wine made from grapes. Only serve the wine to guests who are of legal drinking age, and drink responsibly.
    • If you taste the wine and find that it's still too harsh, just stop it back up and age it for a few more weeks.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How much would I increase the ingredients to produce 5 gallons?
    Community Answer
    A basic rule of thumb is to multiply (or divide) ingredient quantities to match what you want to brew, with the exception of the yeast. A package of yeast can do upwards of 7 gallons.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I freeze picked dandelions until I have enough to make wine?
    Community Answer
    Certainly! It can be hard to pick all of the dandelions you need all at once. Pick as many as you want and trim off the green parts before you stick the petals into a freezer-safe bag or container.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • Pick dandelions that are away from where dogs frequently potty.
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      • Since wine takes a long time to ferment, start your dandelion wine at least 3 or 4 months before you'd like to enjoy it.
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      Warnings

      • Dandelion wine does contain alcohol. Enjoy it responsibly if you're above the legal drinking age. Never drink and drive.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Bucket
      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • 2 pots that hold at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L)
      • Fine-mesh strainer
      • Cheesecloth
      • Fermenting container
      • Knife and cutting board
      • Spoon
      • A thin plastic tube for siphoning
      • Clothespins or rubber bands
      • 5 wine bottles and corks

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      References

      1. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C717
      2. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      3. ↑ http://www.wine-making-guides.com/dandelion_wine.html
      4. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      5. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      6. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/yZM-nQcBZp8?t=393
      8. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      9. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      1. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/IDXyfmBbyJM?t=417
      3. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine
      4. ↑ https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/recipes/5449-dandelion-wine

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make dandelion wine, start by washing around 2 quarts of whole dandelion flowers and soaking them in water for 2 days. Then, transfer the flowers to fresh water with lime juice, orange juice, and lemon juice, as well as some ginger, cloves, orange peels, lemon peels, and sugar. Next, boil the mixture for 1 hour before straining it through coffee filters and adding some yeast. Finally, let the mixture sit overnight before transferring it to bottles and letting them age for at least 6 months. To learn how to create an airlock for your wine and rack the wine while it's aging, scroll down!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • David Lelli

        Jan 6, 2018

        "I made this recipe last spring and followed it as best as I could. I let the wine age in my basement until New ..." more
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