The Champagne of Meads

Mead is a traditional drink that has been enjoyed for centuries by people around the world. The basic recipe for mead includes a combination of honey, water and yeast that has been mixed and fermented. Many home brewers specialize in making mead. For special events, or for a special treat, try adding elderflowers to your home brewing mead recipe. Sometimes called the “champagne of meads,” elderberry mead has a delightful fruity flavour that will be enjoyed by all.

To brew elderflower mead, you will need the ingredients for basic mead and elderflowers. To start the process you will want to add water to a large pot. Pour in the exact amount of honey called for in the recipe and bring to a rolling boil. With constant stirring the honey will dissolve, leaving the base of your mead. Set this mixture aside to cool, or put the pot in an ice bath. After it has completely cooled, add the vinegar and lemon juice (lemon juice is optional). After everything has been blended, pour the entire pot of liquid into another pot, which is lined with elderflowers. Stir and cover for one day.

The next day you will be able to strain the mead mixture to remove the flowers and any other particles. Pour the remaining liquid into bottles, tap, and let the fermentation process begin. After about two weeks you will have small mead, one that has not been fermented for a long time. Meads fermented for one year or longer will ultimately have a better flavour.

After the fermentation process is complete, you are ready to enjoy the flavourful and fruity elderflower mead. Raise your glass to tradition!