Got a couple of spare Demi-johns so was thinking of getting a mead on the go. Anyone got any foolproof recipes or experiences they'd be willing to share?
I quite like the idea of a spice mead..
Is it a good idea to splash out on something like orange blossom honey from a health food shop, instead of huge stuff from Boyle valley, "packaged" in Ireland??
Ta.
The orange blossom from aldi's been taken off the shelves recently, but at 1.50 for 340g it'd be a shame to pay the health shop prices. If you add fruit/juice or anything the honey doesn't really matter so it's a handy way to go cheap. (or check lidl - 2euro for 450g plain honey)
If you type joes ancient orange mead into google that seems to be people's starter recipe but it's a different idea to other meads as it uses bread yeast which finishes very sweet, allowing all the other stuff in there to bitter it(which would normally ruin it).
Gotmead is pretty good but the site's a bit awkward at the minute.
I've made this one before.
http://www.blue-n-gold.com/halfdan/meadrecp.htm
Quote8-10 lbs pure raw honey (for light, delicate Mead)
(or) 12-13 " " " " (for medium sweet Mead)
(or) 15-16 " " " " (for very sweet or alcoholic Mead)
4-5 gallons purified spring water (not distilled)
3 tsp. yeast nutrient (or 5 tablets)
1 tsp. acid blend (combination malic/citric acid)
5-7 oz. sliced fresh ginger root (1 finger's length)
1/4 tsp. fresh rosemary (optional, as desired)
5-6 whole cloves (optional, as desired)
1-2 vanilla beans (optional, as desired)
cinnamon/nutmeg (optional, as desired)
lime/orange peels (optional, as desired)
crushed fruit (peaches, strawberries, grapes, etc.)
1 tsp. Irish Moss (to clarify Mead)
1/2 tsp. clear gelatin (to clarify Mead)
1 spotted newt's tail (optional, as desired :)
1 packet yeast (champagne or ale yeast)
It turns out grand, quite drinkable. Apparently the trick is the aging of it, think I might still have a bottle lying in the cellar somewhere, will have a look this week.