Melomel Honey Mead

Craft your own golden elixir with this Melomel Honey Mead recipe, a vibrant twist on traditional mead that combines the floral sweetness of honey with the bold, fruity flavors of mixed berries. This ancient fermented beverage is surprisingly easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and a touch of patience to allow the mead to develop its complex, tangy-sweet character. Perfectly customizable with your favorite berries—like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries—this melomel transforms into a rich, ruby-hued drink that’s perfect for sipping on special occasions or gifting to loved ones. With helpful tips for fermentation, optional ingredients like pectic enzyme for clarity, and aging suggestions to enhance its flavor, this recipe guides you step-by-step to create a homemade masterpiece. Serve it chilled for an unforgettable toast to tradition and creativity!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Honey
• 1 gallon Water
• 2 pounds Mixed berries (e.g., strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries)
• 1 packet Dried wine yeast (Lalvin D-47 or similar)
• 1 teaspoon Yeast nutrient
• 1 tablet Campden tablet (optional, for sanitizing fruit)
• 1 teaspoon Pectic enzyme (optional, for clearer mead)
• 1 sufficient for equipment Star San or similar sanitizer

Directions

Step 1

Sanitize all equipment, including a fermentation bucket, stirring utensil, airlock, and any surfaces that will touch the ingredients, using Star San or a similar sanitizer.

Step 2

Wash the mixed berries thoroughly. If desired, crush or blend them into a pulp for better flavor extraction.

Step 3

If using a Campden tablet, crush it and mix it with the fruit pulp in your fermentation bucket. Allow it to sit for 24 hours to sanitize the fruit. Skip this step if not using Campden tablets.

Step 4

In a large pot, warm 1/3 of the water (approximately 1 gallon total) to about 100°F (not boiling). Slowly stir in the honey until fully dissolved.

Step 5

Pour the honey-water mixture (now referred to as "must") into the fermentation bucket over the prepared fruit.

Step 6

Add the remaining water to cool the mixture to room temperature. Ensure the final volume equals 1 gallon. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

If using pectic enzyme for a clearer product, add it now according to the package instructions, typically 1 teaspoon per gallon.

Step 8

Hydrate the dried yeast according to the packet instructions (typically in warm water for 10-15 minutes) and add it to the fermentation bucket. Add the yeast nutrient at this stage as well, following package directions (usually 1 teaspoon). Stir gently to combine.

Step 9

Seal the fermentation bucket with its lid and attach an airlock. Fill the airlock with sanitized water per the equipment instructions.

Step 10

Store the fermentation bucket in a cool, dark place with a temperature of around 60-70°F. Fermentation should begin within 1-3 days, evident by bubbling in the airlock.

Step 11

After about 7-10 days, or when the bubbling slows significantly, strain the liquid into a sanitized glass carboy or secondary fermentation vessel, leaving behind the fruit and yeast sediment. Reattach an airlock.

Step 12

Allow the mead to ferment for an additional 4-6 weeks, or until bubbling stops completely. Patience is key as the flavors mature during this time.

Step 13

Once fermentation is complete, carefully siphon the mead into sanitized bottles, leaving sediment behind. Seal the bottles with caps or corks.

Step 14

Store the bottles in a cool, dark place and let the mead age for at least 3-6 months before drinking. Aging improves the flavor, so waiting longer is recommended if possible!

Step 15

Serve your Melomel Honey Mead chilled and enjoy in moderation!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	6164.5 grams (6164.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4684

Total Fat 2.70g	3%
Saturated Fat 0.20g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 192mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 1250.00g	455%
Dietary Fiber 39.00g	139%
Total Sugars 1202.50g
Protein 15.80g	32%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 494mg	38%
Iron 10mg	57%
Potassium 1949mg	41%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 0.5%

Protein: 1.2%

Carbs: 98.3%