Elevate Your Cocktail Recipes with Mead
Here is a complete guide on mead and how it is used in cocktail recipes. It is an ancient alcoholic beverage that has been enjoyed by almost every culture. It is known as ‘honey wine” known around the world for centuries and more. It is used as a base for many cocktails. It is prepared by fermenting honey with water, resulting in a unique and flavourful drink.
Crafting Cocktail Recipes with Mead
Mead And Its History and Origins
Mead holds a rich significance in history and since ancient times has been a part of human culture. It is one of the oldest fermented libations. The origins of mead are rooted in various cultures, in the times of Vikings, ancient Greeks, and Celtic tribes.
Varieties of Mead
1. Traditional Mead
Traditional mead, also referred to as "show mead," is prepared using only three ingredients: honey, water, and yeast. It reveals the pure essence of honey.
2. Melomel
Melomel is a fruit-infused mead that includes the flavours of honey and numerous fruits. Mostly used fruits include berries, cherries, citrus fruits and so on. The fruits add a delightful complexity to the mead, resulting in a strong and refreshing taste.
3. Metheglin
Metheglin is a blend of herbs, spices, and botanicals. It is a spiced mead and this style allows for limitless innovation, it can be experimented with various combinations to achieve a wide range of flavours. Commonly used spices in metheglin mead are cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
4. Pyment
Pyment is a blend of mead and grape wine. It is the mixture of the sweetness of honey and the richness of grape wine, resulting in a perfect balance of all the flavours. Depending on the variety of the grape used and the fermentation process pyment can range from dry to sweet.
Mead in Cocktail Recipes
1. The Honeyed Berry Fizz Cocktail Recipe
This delightful cocktail recipe combines the lusciousness of mead, mainly melomel, with a burst of vibrant berries. The refreshing tangy flavour of lemon juice is perfectly balanced with simple syrup and topped off with sparkling water. Plump and fresh berries are used to garnish allowing the Honeyed Berry Fizz to transport your taste buds to a world of fruity enchantment.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz of mead (preferably melomel)
- 1 oz of fresh berry puree (raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries)
- 0.5 oz of lemon juice
- 0.5 oz of simple syrup
- Sparkling water
- Fresh berries, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the mead, berry puree, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to blend the ingredients.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.
- Top it off with sparkling water for a refreshing fizz.
- Garnish with fresh berries of your choice.
2. Spiced Mead Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Indulge in the journey with Spiced Mead Old Fashioned. this cocktail is the timeless elegance of an old-fashioned. Immerse yourself in the captivating aromas and flavours of this classic drink. It is garnished with an orange twist. Let the Spiced Mead Old Fashioned cocktail recipe elevate your drinking experience to new heights.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of metheglin mead
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Orange peel, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- In an old-fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube with a few drops of water and the aromatic bitters.
- Add ice cubes to the glass.
- Pour the metheglin mead over the ice and stir gently.
- Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink and garnish with it.
Mead offers a journey into the world of ancient beverages. Its rich history, diverse varieties, and potential for unique cocktail recipes make it a true gem in the realm of mixology. So, allow your creativity to flow in your way and grab a bottle of mead on a flavoursome adventure!
