King's Highway Great Mead
Discover the royal essence of King's Highway Great Mead, a sumptuous elixir crafted from wildflower honey, fruits, herbs, and spices. Fermented and aged for over two years, this mead unfolds a tapestry of rich flavors and aromas, perfect for festive gatherings or quiet evenings. Personalize each batch, letting the imagination guide your choice of ingredients for an experience unlike any other.
ingredients
- 5 lbs Monarch's Choice Wildflower Honey, divided
- Filtered, spring, or rain water (enough to make 1 gallon)
- 1/4 package Red Star Quick Rise Bread Yeast or Nottingham Ale Yeast
- 1 package Lalvin K1-V1116 Montpellier Yeast
- 2 tsp yeast nutrient, divided
- Sweet cherries (or any combination of fruits)
- Cocoa (or spices of choice)
- Basil (or herbs of choice)
- Pecan (or optional nut)
- Lavender (or flora of choice)
- Chamomile (or optional tea)
steps
- 1.
In a large, sanitized fermentation vessel, dissolve 3 lbs of wildflower honey in enough water to make 1 gallon of must.
- 2.
Add your chosen combination of fruits, spices, herbs, nuts, flora, and tea to the must.
- 3.
Pitch 1/4 package of Red Star Quick Rise Bread Yeast or Nottingham Ale Yeast.
- 4.
Add 1/4 tsp of yeast nutrient.
- 5.
Seal the fermentation vessel with an airlock and let ferment for 5-6 weeks in a cool, dark place.
- 6.
On days 2, 3, and 4 of fermentation, add another 1/4 tsp of yeast nutrient each day.
- 7.
After primary fermentation, rack the mead into a secondary fermentation vessel.
- 8.
Add the remaining 2 lbs of wildflower honey and stir gently to dissolve.
- 9.
Pitch the package of Lalvin K1-V1116 Montpellier Yeast.
- 10.
Add the remaining 1 tsp of yeast nutrient in 1/4 tsp increments over the next 4 days.
- 11.
Seal the secondary fermentation vessel with an airlock and let age for at least 2 years in a cool, dark place.
- 12.
After aging, bottle the mead and enjoy!
