Prickly Pear Melomel
Dive into the enchanting world of prickly pear mead, where the sweetness of honey blends harmoniously with the vibrant flavor of prickly pears. This refreshing beverage captures the essence of summer and is perfect for celebrations or quiet evenings. With notes of lemon and a rich raisin undertone, each sip is a delightful journey that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests.
ingredients
- 12 cups prepared prickly pears (ripe fruit)
- 1 1/4 cups raisins
- 4 1/2 cups honey
- 1 campden tablet
- 4 tsp yeast energizer
- 1 tsp pectic enzyme
- Juice from 2 lemons
- 1 packet mead yeast
- 4 cups water
steps
- 1.
Start by thoroughly washing the prickly pears, then peel and remove the seeds to prepare 12 cups of pure fruit.
- 2.
In a large fermentation vessel, combine the prepared prickly pears, raisins, honey, and water. Stir until the honey dissolves completely.
- 3.
Crush the campden tablet and add it to the mixture. Allow it to sit for 24 hours to sanitize the must.
- 4.
After 24 hours, add the pectic enzyme, lemon juice, and yeast energizer to the mixture. Stir gently to combine.
- 5.
Sprinkle the mead yeast on top of the mixture without stirring. Seal the fermentation vessel with an airlock.
- 6.
Allow the mead to ferment in a cool, dark place for about 1-2 weeks or until bubbling slows significantly.
- 7.
Once fermentation is complete, siphon the mead into clean bottles, leaving sediment behind.
- 8.
Age the mead in bottles for at least 4-6 weeks before enjoying to develop its full flavor.
