Citrus Mead 2024.
A zesty mead made with fresh orange, lime, and grapefruit juices, complemented by black tea, ginger, and blossom honey. Bright and refreshing!
- ABV
- 13.1%
- Style
- Semi-dry
- Batch Size
- 4.5L
The Story
What is Citrus Mead?
Citrus mead combines the refreshing acidity and bright flavours of citrus fruits with the sweetness and depth of honey. It’s a versatile beverage that often leans toward a crisp, white wine-like profile. This mead style is ideal for those who enjoy bold, zesty flavours balanced with subtle warmth.
What We Made
For Citrus Mead 2024, we created a semi-dry mead with an ABV of 13.1%. It features a blend of orange, lime, and grapefruit juices and rinds, complemented by black tea, fresh ginger, and blossom honey. This small 4.5 litre batch was designed to highlight the brightness of the citrus while incorporating subtle spice and tannins for balance.
Production
Fermentation Process
Freshly squeezed orange, lime, and grapefruit juices were combined with their rinds to extract maximum flavour and aroma. Black tea and ginger were added to provide depth and complexity. Blossom honey served as the primary fermentable sugar, while pectic enzyme was used to clarify the must and release fruit flavours. Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast was chosen for its ability to ferment cleanly and produce a semi-dry result.
Ingredients
- Orange juice and rind
- Lime juice and rind
- Grapefruit juice
- Black tea
- Fresh ginger
- Blossom honey
- Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast
- Pectic enzyme
Ageing Potential
This mead is enjoyable immediately, with a fresh and zesty flavour profile. However, ageing for 6-12 months will mellow the sharp citrus notes and allow the flavours to integrate more fully, resulting in a smoother, more complex drink.