[notfarnow]

A [EDIT:] err... heard about a guy who spent ~$1500 making a still. It is designed to boil out pure alcohol from anything.
He makes a mash using sugar, water lemon juice & yeast. It ferments to ~14%, then he runs it through the still to get ~100% alcohol. He then waters it down to make vodka, or water & flavor to make gin.
Works out to ~ $1.5/liter for 120 proof vodka.

Pretty neat to see it working, it's built using an electric water heater that is digitally controlled to keep the temperature just right. There is a 5' copper "stack" that the alcohol condenses in as it cools going through. He bought the plans online.

Makes cool presents, and everyone he knows gets a real laugh out of it. Anytime he visits he drops off at least a gallon. I have a 2 gallon gerry can full.