If you are new to mead making, here is a simple and affordable recipe that does not require any specialized mead brewing equipment. Best of all, you should be able to buy everything you need for this one gallon mead recipe at your local grocery store.
You will need the following:
1 gallon spring water
2 to 3 lbs of unprocessed honey
1 large balloon
1 package of active dry yeast
1 small box of raisins
1 needle or safety pin
Before you begin, it is important that any bowl or utensils used are clean and sanitary. Harmful microbes and bacteria can produce off tastes or ruin a batch of mead completely.
You will notice that the instructions call for ‘2 to 3’ pounds of honey. Using 2 lbs will provide a dryer mead while using 3 lbs results in a sweater mead. Both choices will work, it all depends on your tastes.
Allow your tightly-sealed container of honey to sit in a sink full of hot water for around 15 minutes. This will make the honey less viscous so that it pours easily.
Empty half of the water out of the 1 gallon jug into a large bowl or pitcher. This creates enough space to add the honey. Carefully pour your honey into the jug doing your best not to get any honey on the lip of the jug (or anywhere else).
Add the yeast and 15 to 20 raisins and screw the cap pack on the jug. Vigorously shake the jug for several minutes to thoroughly mix and aerate the must. Remove the cap and add just enough spring water to leave an inch or two of head space. Replace the cap and shake again to mix in the additional water.
Take a needle, safety pin, tack, or other sharp object and punch a small hole in the top of a balloon. This hole will allow the carbon dioxide released during fermentation to escape. Remove the cap from the jug and replace with the balloon. Set the jug of must in a cool dark space and wait…
Within 24 hours fermentation should begin and you will see hundreds of tiny bubbles climbing up the sides of the jug. The balloon should be firm, but not inflating. If the balloon does start to inflate, punch an additional hole to release the building pressure.
After 7 to 10 days of fermentation, you should no longer see bubbles and the balloon should be deflated. If you see bubbles rising or the balloon is still inflated, wait a few more days to ensure fermentation has completed.
The mead should be racked (transferred) into a different sanitary container (jug, bottle, etc) taking care to leave behind the sediment and raisins. After an additional 3 to 6 months storage in a cool dark place, you should have a surprisingly drinkable mead from this very simple and affordable recipe.
If you want to make a few more batches of easy mead before investing in brewing and fermenting equipment, here are a couple of tips to spice up the basic recipe. Try adding a cinnamon stick during fermentation or after racking. A sliced vanilla bean will also add an interesting flavor to this very simple recipe. There are also many kinds of fruit suitable for addition to mead.
This project was inspired by Will at Storm the Castle; check out the results of his easy mead recipe.