Any Fruit Melomel
This delightful honeyed fruit fermentation captures the essence of fresh fruit combined with the richness of honey, creating a deliciously sweet, bubbly beverage. Perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy evening at home, this homemade concoction is easy to prepare and offers a unique twist to traditional mead. Let the fermentation process work its magic and enjoy your refreshing creation!
ingredients
- 3 pounds of honey (1 quart)
- 1 pound of fruit (sliced and de-seeded)
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 package of yeast (wine yeast or champagne yeast, or EC-1118)
- 1 teaspoon of yeast energizer
- 1 teaspoon of yeast nutrient
- 1 teaspoon of acid blend
- 1 campden tablet
- 1 teaspoon of pectic enzyme
steps
- 1.
In a sanitized container, dissolve the honey in one quart of warm water, stirring until fully mixed.
- 2.
Add the sliced and de-seeded fruit to the honey-water mixture, ensuring they are well combined.
- 3.
Pour in the remaining water until the total volume reaches one gallon, stirring gently.
- 4.
Crush the Campden tablet and add it to the mixture, then let it sit for 24 hours to eliminate any wild yeast or bacteria.
- 5.
After 24 hours, sprinkle in the yeast, yeast energizer, nutrient, acid blend, and pectic enzyme, stirring gently to combine.
- 6.
Cover the fermentation vessel with an airlock and place it in a dark, room-temperature area.
- 7.
Allow the mixture to ferment for about 4 to 6 weeks, periodically checking for bubbles in the airlock.
- 8.
Once bubbling has mostly subsided, siphon the beverage into sanitized bottles, leaving sediment behind.
- 9.
Seal the bottles and store in a cool, dark place. Allow the drink to age for at least another month before indulging.
