Filtration

Step 4: Filtration

Once all the skittles have mostly dissolved in each bottle, it's time to filter out all the extra leftover ingredients that we don't want in our finished product.

The original method that we used for this was to run the liquid through a filter made of several layers of paper towels pushed down into a strainer. As several commenters pointed out, it is likely that coffee filter might be a better solution than the paper towels. We haven't tried this ourselves, but it sounds quite reasonable and we see no reason why you shouldn't try it.

It will take some time to get all the liquid through the filter -- be patient. The stuff left in the filter will be pretty gross. We couldn't think of a good use for it, so we chucked it in the garbage.

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teknojo says: Jun 23, 2012. 7:34 PM

Filtering is a b*****!

Intend to try this next time:

Initial mixing will be done in an glass icetea jug. The kind with a spigot at the base. This will allow draining while leaving the "scum" at the top.

Secondary filter will be coffee filters or paper towels in a strainer.

Last filter will be cheese clothe.

This concoction tastes awesome!

sherrycayheyhey in reply to teknojoJul 17, 2012. 3:34 PM

That's a good idea. I made some of this before (not from this Instructable) and I figured I'd skip filtering since I didn't have any coffee filters. Long story short, filtering is a necessary evil.

The last step says the red tasted like cough syrup and that is something I also found to be true, I'd definitely skip the red if it didn't add to the eye appeal of rainbow vodka.

mixtlupus says: Sep 30, 2009. 6:07 AM

In Europe, skittles no longer contain Gelatin but do contain the colouring E120, (cochineal) and the shellac which are both derived from Insects...

Details can be found here: http://profiles.friendster.com/97474504

Wolf Seril in reply to mixtlupusFeb 4, 2011. 8:04 PM

...Friendster still exists?

mixtlupus in reply to mixtlupusSep 30, 2009. 6:08 AM

Reference: Me being Vegan for 21 Years ;)

prickly vegan in reply to mixtlupusApr 9, 2012. 12:09 AM

Skittles in Europe no longer have gelatine? Really? I've been wasting all this time then!! Bummer on the cochineal though. That seems to be added a lot in things here in Germany.

Then again, this is a moot discussion as Skittles can be replaced with just about any artificially, strongly flavoured candy. I imagine hard candies would trump hard candies, given that they completely break down and don't contain gelling agents....

prickly vegan in reply to prickly veganApr 9, 2012. 12:21 AM

sorry, I meant hard candies would be better than chewy candies. Why use candy that has gelling agents, wax, shellac, etc.? Seems like extra work and an inferior product (then again, we are talking about artificially flavoured vodka). Jolly Ranchers, lemon drops, etc., should give a better result, with the same lovely, artificial colour (or just add your own food colouring).

bigbud2 says: Sep 6, 2009. 5:45 AM

coffee filters work good to

smart8806 says: Sep 5, 2009. 8:58 PM

well actually skittles are vegan and vegetarian safe now. so skittle vodka for all :)

gello101 says: Feb 28, 2009. 10:05 AM

I just did this project. Paper towels and coffee filters were wasting way too much of the vodka. I finally tried cheese cloth.... worked so well!

Rhinomods says: May 29, 2008. 3:57 PM

This white stuff, is actually gelatin. ( Also known as cow bone) So vegans skittles are not a way out for you...

RainbowDust05 in reply to RhinomodsJun 8, 2008. 9:31 AM

obviously vegans know skittles aren't something they should eat.. even some vegetarians don't eat skittles and mentos and starburts because of the gelatin it contains.. i think they are people who are pretty aware of what they eat even if its candy.. they know gelatin is in it . as well as pills that come in capsules.. they have gelatin

Grey_Wolfe in reply to RhinomodsJun 4, 2008. 11:19 PM

It's not exactly cow bone, it is derived from collagen, which can be found in bones, cartlidge, tendons, ligament, and skin. Most gelatin now-a-days is produced form pig skin. Just throwing out that bit of info. You're right though, it's not a very vegan friendly by-product.

vandal1138 in reply to Grey_WolfeAug 23, 2009. 11:48 PM

Here's a thought. Everyone knows that a cow is tasty treat. Now, if you get one of those fancy grass fed cows from the Midwest, they are supposed to be super tasty, right? Now, with the same logic, that would make vegans super tasty compared to us meat eatin folks.... Moral of the story? IF YOU'RE GONNA GET STRANDED ON CANNABIL ISLAND, MAKE SURE YOU BRING A VEGAN!

chriskarr in reply to vandal1138Oct 19, 2009. 4:02 PM

Actually, just so you know, the most tasty cows in the world are Kobe' beef cows from Asia. They are grain-fed and also allowed to drink beer, as well as being hand-massaged by human workers, daily. They are the only cows in the world that actually play with each other when they're in the field, rather than grazing. Kobe' beef is vegan-beef, and holy-$hit is it amazing.

prickly vegan in reply to chriskarrApr 9, 2012. 12:17 AM

yes, so if we are deserted on an island together, please remember to bring the beer and be ready to massage.

andgreyskies in reply to RhinomodsMay 29, 2008. 7:57 PM

I made Skittles vodka recently, with UK skittles which don't contain gelatine. The nasty white stuff is carnauba wax, used to give Skittles their shine.