How To Make Pruno (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make Pruno PDF download Download Article Make delicious prison fruit wine at home 17 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 Approved

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  • Making Artisan Pruno
    • |
  • Making Minimalist Pruno
    • |
  • Ingredients
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 252,352 times. Learn more...

Pruno is a type of easy homemade fruit wine that’s often made by inmates in prison. Because pruno is typically made with makeshift ingredients, it doesn’t always taste very good. Making pruno is quite simple, but some recipes create the perfect environment for Clostridium botulinum. This is a bacterium that causes botulism, a form of food poisoning that can be fatal. Because of this, you must be very careful when you're making this homemade wine.

How to Make Prison Wine: Quick Steps

  1. Puree apple and orange chunks, fruit cocktail, and raisins in a large saucepan.
  2. Add sugar and water, bringing to a boil over medium heat.
  3. Simmer for 30 minutes. Cool the mixture for 30 minutes to an hour.
  4. Activate your yeast in a separate bowl and add to your cooled mixture.
  5. Move the mixture to a sealed, air-tight bag and store in a warm, dark place.
  6. Open the bag daily to burp the yeast by releasing gas and pressure.
  7. Strain the pruno over a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Chill before serving.

Ingredients

Artisan Pruno

  • 10 oranges, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 10 apples, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup (225 g) plus one tablespoon (14 g) sugar
  • 2¼ teaspoons (one 7-gram package) yeast
  • 3 cups (711 ml) water
  • 1 cup (227 g) fruit cocktail
  • 1½ ounces (43 g) raisins

Minimalist Pruno

  • 10 oranges, peeled
  • 1 cup (227 grams) fruit cocktail
  • 2 cups (474 ml) water
  • 50 sugar cubes
  • 6 teaspoons (30 g) ketchup

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Making Artisan Pruno

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  1. Step 1 Gather your supplies. 1 Gather your supplies. Traditional pruno made by inmates is made with few supplies and the ingredients that are available in prison. But at home, you can also make your own version of pruno using all the convenient equipment and ingredients available in a modern kitchen. To make artisan pruno at home, you'll need:
    • Immersion blender
    • Wooden spoon
    • Large saucepan
    • Small bowl
    • One-gallon (3.8-L) sealable plastic bag
    • Clean bath towel
    • Heating pad
    • Strainer
    • Cheesecloth
    • Large bowl
    • Funnel
    • Large sterile bottle or jar with lid
  2. Step 2 Puree the fruit. 2 Puree the fruit. Combine the apple and orange chunks, plus the fruit cocktail and raisins, in a large saucepan. Use the immersion blender to puree the fruit until it’s juicy and pulpy, but still has some bite-sized chunks in it.
    • Make sure to move the immersion blender around in the bowl as you blend, to ensure the fruit is pureed evenly.
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  3. Step 3 Boil the fruit, sugar, and water. 3 Boil the fruit, sugar, and water. When the fruit is ready, add the 1 cup (225 g) of sugar and 2 cups (474 ml) of the water and stir to combine. Put on the lid, transfer the fruit mixture to the stove, and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
    • Once the fruit comes to a boil, let it simmer for 30 minutes to kill any bacteria that may be present.[1] Continue stirring the mixture regularly.
  4. Step 4 Cool the fruit. 4 Cool the fruit. After the fruit boils for 30 minutes, remove it from the heat and let it cool. You don’t want it completely cold, but slightly above room temperature to help the yeast flourish. As the fruit cools, continue stirring from time to time so it cools evenly.[2]
    • The cooling process will take about 30 minutes to an hour.
  5. Step 5 Activate the yeast. 5 Activate the yeast. Combine the yeast, the 1 cup of warm water, and the 3 teaspoons of sugar in a bowl. Set the bowl aside for five to 10 minutes to let it activate.[3]
    • As the yeast comes to life, it will begin to froth and bubble in the bowl.
  6. Step 6 Add the yeast and transfer the mixture to the bag. 6 Add the yeast and transfer the mixture to the bag. Pour the yeast mixture over the fruit and stir to fully combine. Transfer the mixture to the plastic bag. Press out as much air as you can, then seal the bag.[4]
    • It’s important to warm the fruit mixture because the yeast will die if it gets too cold.
  7. Step 7 Store the mixture somewhere warm and dark. 7 Store the mixture somewhere warm and dark. Wrap the fruit mixture in a clean bath towel to help keep in the heat. Then place the towel on top of an electric heating pad turned to low temperature. Transfer the fruit, towel, and heating pad to a dark place, such as a closet.
    • If you don’t have an electric heating pad, fill a hot water bottle with warm water. Be sure to check on the water ever six to 12 hours, and add fresh warm water as necessary when the bottle starts to get cold.
    • The reason you have to keep the fruit mixture warm is so the yeast will stay alive to ferment the fruit and turn it to alcohol.
  8. Step 8 Burp the bag daily. 8 Burp the bag daily. As the yeast converts the sugars in the bag to alcohol and carbon dioxide, the bag will slowly fill up with gas. To prevent it from bursting, remove the bag from the towel once or twice a day and open the bag to release the gas and pressure.
    • Reseal the bag, wrap it back in the towel, and return it to its dark spot on the heating pad.
    • When the mixture stops bloating, it means the yeast has converted all the sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide, meaning the pruno is ready. This will take about five days.[5]
  9. Step 9 Strain the pruno. 9 Strain the pruno. When the mixture has stopped bloating, it’s ready to strain. Place a cheesecloth-lined strainer over a bowl. Pour the fruit mixture into the strainer and let the juice drain down into the bowl.[6]
    • To get the most juice out, wring out the cheesecloth with the fruit still inside.
  10. Step 10 Transfer to a bottle and chill before serving. 10 Transfer to a bottle and chill before serving. Place the funnel inside the neck of a sterile glass jar or bottle. Pour the pruno into the bottle. Transfer the bottle to the fridge and allow it to chill for several hours or overnight.[7]
    • A large mason jar will work to store your pruno, or a large two-liter pop bottle.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Making Minimalist Pruno

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  1. Step 1 Gather a few supplies. 1 Gather a few supplies. The idea behind minimalist pruno is that it’s more like making the type of pruno that inmates make, so it doesn’t require any fancy cooking tools or utensils. What you will need is:
    • One-gallon (3.8-L) sealable plastic bag
    • Three clean towels
    • A large bowl or sink
    • Hot running water
    • Spoon or t-shirt
  2. Step 2 Combine and mash the fruit. 2 Combine and mash the fruit. Break the oranges into wedges and place them in the sealable bag. Add the fruit cocktail and seal the bag tightly. With the fruit sealed inside the bag, squish the fruit between your fingers to break it up into small chunks.
    • The fruit is ready when it becomes the consistency of fruit pulp mixed with paste.
    • You can substitute some of the orange with apples, peaches, pears, or any other fruit that’s available to you.[8]
  3. Step 3 Add water and heat the fruit. 3 Add water and heat the fruit. Open the bag and pour in the water. Then seal the bag again. Place the bag of mashed fruit into a sink or bowl and cover it with the hottest water you can get from the tap. Let the fruit sit in the hot water for 15 minutes.[9] Add fresh hot water every five minutes.
    • If you don’t have a bowl or a plug for the sink, keep the water from the tap running over the fruit for 15 minutes.
  4. Step 4 Wrap and hide the mixture. 4 Wrap and hide the mixture. Once the mixture is good and warm from the water, wrap it in the towels to help keep in the heat. Then transfer the mixture to a dark place for 48 hours.
    • The heat is necessary for the fermentation process, because otherwise the wild yeast will die instead of converting the sugar to alcohol.
  5. Step 5 Add the sugar and ketchup. 5 Add the sugar and ketchup. After two days, unwrap the towels from around the bag. The bag should have ballooned up with gases, so open the bag to release the gas. Add the sugar cubes and ketchup. Seal the bag and let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes to let the sugar dissolve.[10]
    • The amount of ketchup you need for this recipe is equivalent to about 3.5 ketchup packets.
    • If you don’t have access to ketchup, you can also use a piece of bread broken up into small pieces.[11]
  6. Step 6 Heat the bag again. 6 Heat the bag again. When the sugar has dissolved, knead the mixture to incorporate the fruit, sugar, and ketchup. Then heat the mixture with hot tap water again.
    • Let the fruit sit in the hot water (or under running water) for 30 minutes.
  7. Step 7 Wrap and hide the mixture. 7 Wrap and hide the mixture. After heating for 30 minutes in the water bath, wrap the mixture in the towels again. Stash it away somewhere dark and let the mixture sit for 24 hours.
    • Once you get to this point, the mixture will take another 72 hours or so to turn to alcohol.
  8. Step 8 Reheat the bag daily. 8 Reheat the bag daily. Over the next three days, open the bag daily to release the gases and reheat the bag under hot running water for 15 minutes. Then rewrap the bag in the towel and return it to its dark place until the next day.
    • When the bag stops bloating, the pruno is ready.
  9. Step 9 Strain or skim before consuming. 9 Strain or skim before consuming. After three days or when the bag stops bloating with gases overnight, open the bag and skim off the fruit mash to leave the liquid behind.
    • If it’s available, use a tea strainer, clean sock, or clean t-shirt to separate the fruit mash and strain the liquid.[12]
    • Transfer the liquid to cups before serving, or return it to the plastic bag and drink straight from the bag.
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Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question What can I use if I don't have fruit cocktail? Community Answer Community Answer Fruit cocktail is used in pruno because it is readily available in prison. If you don't have any on hand, you can use equally quantities of mixed fruit and juice instead. Use about 3/4 cups of fruit, and fill the remaining 1/4 cup with orange, pear, apple, or some other juice. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 14
  • Question Do I have to use oranges? Community Answer Community Answer No, you do not have to use oranges. The key is to use a fruit that has enough sugar content to feed the yeast, thus creating your alcohol content. Theoretically you could actually fill a container with water, add about a bag of sugar to it, and then combine your yeast and, with enough time (roughly 3-6 months), it will produce both ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide. As a result of the chemical process that the yeast and possibly fermenting fruit, you must relieve the pressure built up every few days in the container or alternatively buy an airlock for the cap of the container if you are serious about producing your own alcohol. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
  • Question I heard that pruno can be deadly - is this a safe method? Community Answer Community Answer Anything can be deadly if you consume too much. if you have a headache you can take a mild painkiller, but if you take 30 you will likely die. The same basic principle goes for pruno. Use your judgement. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 54 Helpful 15
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Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • If you don't have sugar, raisins make a good alternative.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

  • Potatoes can carry botulism spores, so don’t use them as a starter in minimalist pruno recipes.[13] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://brokelyn.com/how-to-make-your-own-prison-wine/
  2. ↑ https://brokelyn.com/how-to-make-your-own-prison-wine/
  3. ↑ https://lamag.com/news/how-to-make-prison-wine-the-craft-version
  4. ↑ https://lamag.com/news/how-to-make-prison-wine-the-craft-version
  5. ↑ https://brokelyn.com/how-to-make-your-own-prison-wine/
  6. ↑ https://lamag.com/news/how-to-make-prison-wine-the-craft-version
  7. ↑ https://brokelyn.com/how-to-make-your-own-prison-wine/
  8. ↑ https://gizmodo.com/rotten-fruit-and-hot-pots-the-secret-techniques-of-cel-5854104
  9. ↑ https://drunkard.com/11-03-jailhouse-3/
More References (4)
  1. ↑ https://drunkard.com/11-03-jailhouse-3/
  2. ↑ https://gizmodo.com/rotten-fruit-and-hot-pots-the-secret-techniques-of-cel-5854104
  3. ↑ https://gizmodo.com/rotten-fruit-and-hot-pots-the-secret-techniques-of-cel-5854104
  4. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterlipson/2013/02/12/prisoners-making-hooch-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/#7aed12b51eab

About This Article

wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 252,352 times. 17 votes - 87% Co-authors: 29 Updated: October 14, 2025 Views: 252,352 Categories: Wine Article SummaryX

To make pruno, start by putting some orange wedges and fruit cocktail in a bag, sealing it, and then mashing everything together with your fingers. Next, pour water into the bag and then place it in a sink or bowl filled with hot water, adding new hot water every 5 minutes for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, wrap the bag in a towel and set it aside somewhere dark for 48 hours. Then, add sugar and ketchup to the bag and let it dissolve for 15 minutes before heating it in hot water again. Finally, wrap the bag and hide it for 24 hours, repeating the heating process every day for 3 days. To learn how to make artisan pruno, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Dave Sharp

    Dave Sharp

    Nov 8, 2020

    "I tried the prison pruno recipe and it worked great. I could actually hear the yeast working away when I placed my..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 29 Updated: October 14, 2025 Views: 252,352 87% of readers found this article helpful. 17 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote Dave Sharp

Dave Sharp

Nov 8, 2020

"I tried the prison pruno recipe and it worked great. I could actually hear the yeast working away when I placed my..." more Vax Vasquez

Vax Vasquez

Feb 2, 2021

"Works great. Keep records of your recipe because some batches merely make you sleepy, while others have a more..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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