Holiday Spice Metheglin (1 gal)
A spiced mead with classic holiday warming spices added in secondary for controlled extraction. Cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and a hint of nutmeg on a wildflower honey base.
Style:
Metheglin
Spiced mead — cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, etc.
Honey Type: Wildflower
Yeast Strain: Lalvin 71B
Batch Size: 1.0 gallon
Target OG: 1.095
Target FG: 1.0
Target ABV: 12.5%
Ingredients
| Quantity | Unit | Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | lbs | wildflower honey | |
| — | Spring water to 1 gallon | ||
| 1.0 | packet | Lalvin 71B yeast | |
| — | Fermaid O nutrient (TONSA protocol) | ||
| 1.0 | cinnamon | stick (secondary) | |
| 3.0 | whole | cloves (secondary) | |
| 1.0 | vanilla | bean, split (secondary) | |
| — | Pinch of fresh-grated nutmeg (secondary) |
Instructions
- Sanitize all equipment.
- Warm 1/2 gallon water to ~100°F and dissolve 2.5 lbs honey.
- Top up to 1 gallon, take OG (~1.095).
- Pitch 71B at 65-75°F. Apply TONSA protocol.
- Primary ferment 4 weeks until still.
- Rack to secondary, add the cinnamon stick, cloves, and split vanilla bean.
- Taste every 3-5 days starting at day 7. Spice extraction is fast — pull spices when intensity is right (typically 2-3 weeks).
- Add a small pinch of nutmeg in the final week if a baked-spice depth is desired (less is more).
- Rack off the spices and age 2-3 months.
- Bottle. Excellent for cold-weather drinking; pairs with desserts and roasts.
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