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Strawberry Mead Recipe
March 7, 2024 Mat Heenan

Strawberry Mead Recipe

 

This recipe can be scaled to suit your desired final volume. This recipe makes 5 litres.

Ingredients:

  • 1 kg frozen strawberries, hulled and chopped fine.
  • 1 kg honey (choose a high-quality, flavorful variety)
  • 3 liters water (non-chlorinated)
  • 1 packet of Lalvin EC-1118 yeast
  • 5 grams yeast nutrient
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1 vanilla bean (optional)

Equipment Needed:

  • Fermentation Vessel (5 liters or larger): For primary fermentation.
  • Airlock and Bung: To allow gases to escape during fermentation while preventing air from getting in.
  • Large Pot: To heat water, dissolve honey, and prepare the must.
  • Long Spoon or Paddle: For stirring the honey-water mixture.
  • Measuring Scale: To measure honey and other ingredients accurately.
  • Sanitization Solution: To sanitize all equipment and ensure a clean brewing environment.
  • Hydrometer: Optional but useful for checking the specific gravity of your mead.
  • Siphon Tube and Racking Cane: For transferring mead between vessels.
  • Secondary Fermentation Vessel (Optional): For enhancing flavors during secondary fermentation.
  • Bottles with Airlocks or Caps: For bottling the finished mead.
  • Corker or Capper: Depending on your choice of bottling.
  • Bottling Wand: For easy and mess-free bottling.
  • Stick on Thermometer: To monitor temperature during the fermentation process.

Instructions:

  1. Sanitize: Ensure all your equipment is thoroughly sanitized to prevent unwanted microorganisms from affecting your mead.

  2. Prepare Strawberries: Thaw the strawberries inside the bag.

  3. Mix Honey and Water: In a large pot, heat the water to a warm temperature. Add the honey and stir until fully dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

  4. Pitch the Yeast: Sprinkle the Lalvin EC-1118 yeast over the cooled honey-water mixture ensure the mixture is less than 30 degrees celsius before adding. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to rehydrate, then stir gently.

  5. Add Strawberry Goodness: Add the strawberries to your fermentation vessel. If you want to enhance the flavor, mash a portion of the strawberries or use a blender to create a puree. Add the strawberry goodness to the vessel.

  6. Spice It Up (Optional): Toss in a cinnamon stick or split a vanilla bean (or both) for an extra layer of flavor. Adjust the quantity based on your preferences.

  7. Add Nutrients: Sprinkle the yeast nutrient over the mixture. This helps ensure a healthy fermentation process.

  8. Fermentation: Seal your fermentation vessel with an airlock. Place it in a cool, dark place and let the magic happen. Fermentation may take 1-2 weeks.

  9. Secondary Fermentation (Optional): After the initial fermentation slows down, transfer the mead to a secondary vessel. Add the reserved strawberries if you haven't already. This step enhances the strawberry aroma.

  10. Patience is a Virtue: Allow your mead to ferment until it clears, which may take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your preferences.

  11. Bottle: Once the mead is clear and fermentation is complete, siphon it into bottles, leaving any sediment behind. Cork or cap the bottles.

  12. Age and Enjoy: Let the mead age for a few months to allow the flavors to meld. Patience pays off! Chill, pour, and savor your homemade strawberry mead.