Mead is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey mixed with water, and sometimes with added ingredients such as fruits, spices, grains, or hops. The alcoholic content ranges from about 3.5% ABV to more than 20% . The majority of the beverages fermentable sugar is derived from honey, which is the defining characteristic of mead. Mead can be still, carbonated, or naturally sparkling; dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. There are different types of mead, including:
- Melomel: A mead that contains fruit such as raspberry, blackberry, or strawberry.
- Pyment: A mead that is fermented with grape juice.
- Metheglin: A mead that is flavored with spices.
- Cyser: An apple-based mead.
- Acerglyn: A mead made with maple syrup.
- Braggot: A mead/beer blend brewed with hops or barley.
- Rhodomel: A very old style laced with roses.
Mead's alcohol content is typically around 5-20% ABV, and its flavor profile ranges from very sweet to very dry. Mead is available in both sparkling and still versions. It can be aged in oak or liquor barrels, served chilled or warmed, drank straight, mixed in a cocktail, or used in your favorite food recipe. Mead can be incredibly complex, and honey itself shows a wide range of flavor profiles depending on the type of flower pollen used. Mead is considered to be the world's oldest alcoholic beverage.
