So why use mead in your cocktails?
Mead is a fermented honey and water plus whatever fruits or spices might be added. Mead has been around for centuries ( it is the oldest known fermented beverage.) Derek at Dragonfire Meadery thrives on experimenting with the different styles and flavors to create his magic. While mead is amazing on its own it can definitely elevate your favorite cocktails.
Mead comes in many styles, flavors and levels of dryness. It can be unfamiliar and confusing when compared with wine, beer or spirits. Many think it is a single product but in reality mead is its own category. Mead, while it can be sweet, is not necessarily overly sweet. Mead profiles can range from crisp and wine like to tart or yeasty.
This versatility is why it can be so easy to work with in cocktails. It is hard to go wrong when mixing mead into cocktails. It has a complexity to it that is different from other alcoholic beverages. The honey used in the mead making process can make a big difference in flavors of the mead. Types of honey range the more typical wildflower and orange blossom to more unique flavors like coffee, avocado and buckwheat.
Mead has a rich, earthy flavor that works nicely with the floral notes in gin, or the spices in aged rum. It an add some complexity to vodka-based cocktails and round out the more spirit-forward drinks.
Mead has been regaining some of its popularity over the past years. More and more meaderies are popping up around the world. This could be attributed to easier access to honey. In the past collecting honey meant dealing with bees with out all of the safety equipment we have now. It was easier to harvest wheat for beer and grapes for wine.
So what are the types of mead?
There are many different categories of meads.
Traditional- just honey and water.
Cyser- honey and apple (Ladon)
Melomel- meads containing fruits (Muirdris, Weewillmekq etc)
Metheglin- meads containing spices
Acerglun- Mead brewed with maple syrup (Gitaskog)
Braggot- mead with both honey and grains
Bochet- caramelized honey used to make the mead
Capsicumel- mead brewed with spicey peppers
Sack Mead- has higher honey to water ratio.
Hydromel- lower ABV mead
Pyment- blend of grapes and honey to make the mead
This is not an all inclusive list ( there are more lol) but it should give you a good idea of the huge variety of mead styles out there. At Dragonfire Meadery, Derek enjoys experimenting in as many of these categories as he can. There are some flavors coming out in the next year or so that will fall under other categories, rounding out our offerings. There are also sparkling meads which are fizzy and fun.
The variety of styles and profiles of mead allow it to be added to a large variety of cocktails.
Trends in the cocktail world.
The general trend in cocktails this year has been minimalism. Drinks that allow the high-quality ingredients to shine. In addition, spicey drinks are rising in popularity. Using more ginger, jalapeno and other hot flavors. Mixologists are also pulling from the 90s for inspiration. Apple martini's and expresso martinis.... we have some ideas on what Dragonfire Meads to incorporate into delicious cocktails.
Connections between different cultures and mead.
Mead, a fermented honey drink, has been significant in many cultures throughout history:
In ancient Greece mead was associated with the gods. It was considered an elixir, the nectar of the gods. They believed it was dew sent from the heavens and collected by bees. Mead was the preferred drink during the "Golden Age". It is said that the ancient Greeks honored Dionysius as the God of Mead well before he was known as the God of wine.
Many European cultures considered bees to be the gods' messengers, and mead was thus associated with immortality and other magical powers, such as divine strength and with .T he ancient High Kings of Ireland drank mead from methers* in the Great Mead Hall of Tara.
Mead was an important drink in ancient Egypt. Mead was a symbol of divine favor and prosperity. It was also used in religious rituals and celebrations, and was often associated with fertility rites and gods. The Egyptian god of fertility, Min, was referred to as the “master of wild bees”.
Celtic mythology also connects mead with fertility. Mead was believed to increase fertility, and newly married couples were sometimes given a month's worth of mead as part of the woman's dowry or to celebrate. The term “honeymoon” most likely comes from this.
From the Rig-Veda, a collection of Hindu Sanskrit hymns, it is said: "In the wide-striding Vishnu's highest footsteps there is a Spring of Mead." It is believed that this spring had the power of fertility, and that mead could bring on sons
*A mether (/ˈmɛðər/; Irish: meadar) is a communal or 'Friendship' drinking vessel from the Celtic tradition, mainly in Ireland
Now lets get to the fun! Making the cocktails!
You can also check out more recipes in Dragonfire Meadery's blog under the
Mixing it Up: Mead-Based Cocktail Recipes
Blitzed Banshee-
mead and whiskey, what could be better?
1 oz of your favorite Irish Whiskey
Pour mead and whiskey into a shaker. Shake with ice. Pour into the glass of your choice. On the rocks or straight, whatever your preference.
*To make a more robust concoction add some bitters and orange peel or Triple Sec.
Chocolate Dragon-
chocolate, whisky and mead!
4 oz Fafnir
1/2 oz chocolate liquor
4 drops Mezcal
1/2 oz Whiskey
Pour Fafnir, chocolate liquor and whisky in a shaker with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds. Pour into a glass over ice. Add the Mezcal and stir. Sip and enjoy!
Humbaba Basil Smash-
bright and refreshing
1oz Gin
1 oz Ginger liquor
2 oz Humbaba- lemon and cucumber mead
3 fresh basil leaves
In a shaker add the basil leaves and gin. Muddle( (smash up) the basil. Add the ginger liquor and Humbaba. Add some ice and shake well. Pour over ice through a strainer. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Mixing with mead has a lot of potential. Don’t be afraid to try new combinations. Think about flavors you like together- this can be a good starting point.
Work with what you have. Don’t worry if you don’t have a fully stocked bar with all the bells and whistles. We didn’t at first and still made amazing cocktails.
Decide what you're in the mood for. Do you want something sweeter or more sharp? Fafnir is my go to for sweeter cocktails or for sweetening up sharper ones. Muirdris is great if you want a deep, rich flavor to your cocktail. Humbaba is a perfect substitute for lemon, or if you want a refreshing burst of flavor.
You can also enhance the flavor of your mead by adding complementary ingredients. Ekhidna with some chocolate liquor added really brings out both the raspberry and chocolate notes.
Storcie with its tart cranberry and Ladon with its apple notes go well together and bring out both flavors nicely. Want a little zing with it? Add some ginger liquor.
Mead is a delicious and versatile beverage. It lends itself to cocktails in the best of ways. Mead adds complexity and an earthiness to your mixes. Dragonfire Meadery’s extensive flavor options. We encourage you to play and experiment to see what you come up with. Created something amazing or have ideas you’d like us to try? We’d love to hear from you! Comment or send us an email!
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