As a former "trafficker in Alchohol" in countries where it is forbidden, (at least that is what they Charged me with),I have a wealth of experience in the construction and operation of a still.
With a proper still and just water, sugar and yeast you can produce pure etyhyl alchohol. The strength is such that if you drink it undiluted -- you die! However if you can acheive a high content say 85%, and if you water it down 3:1 and mix it with something it will take on the flavour and be safe to drink. (e,g obtain Jack Daniels chips, heat them (careful as the alchohol has a flashpoint of around 55+ degrees C) and immerse them in the liquid, add brown sugar, shake, store for 12 months and voila -- passable JD!
May I recommend the small book "So, you want to be a Chemist?" available on the Internet.
So, if you have a reliable source or can make it yourself, then that is one way of inexpensively achieving the result you seek. However, it is much easier to just use Vodka, which -- surprisingly -- is Grain Alchohol -----usually!
And, you avoid the unpleasantness of a dirty Cell!
Meldrew the Booze Man
