To make larger or smaller
quantities, one can multiply or divide the ingredients. I happen
to have a 15 liter jar, so I multiply all the
ingredients by 3 to provide a good fit.
Fruit alcohol is widely available in most large food stores
(supermarkets). It is a clear alcohol without much taste, which enables it
to absorb the taste of the fruit. There are several different brands in
France, but
they all come in a 1 liter bottle with a simple label along the lines of "Alcool
pour fruits". They are available in the alcohol section of the store and
typically have 36% or 40% alcohol.
Since the recipe includes the peel of the orange, my personal
preference is to try to use an organic orange (to avoid traces of
pesticides).
If you don't have a walnut tree, you can try the local forest or
ask a neighbour. The walnuts should be green on the outside (typically
around the
end of June).
I can never remember to shake the jar daily. I'm doing well if I
remember once a week. However, having following this recipe several times
and always had a good result, this step doesn't seem to important. I've also
left the mixture for far longer than 40 days (up to a year) with no problem,
so it seems 40 days is a minimum but it is OK to leave it longer.
After the juice is bottled, the taste improves if one leaves it
for several months before drinking. One should store it in the same place as
ordinary wine is kept, as the ideal storage conditions for Vin de Noix are
the same as for ordinary wine. I find it keeps well for several years.