Honey Wine Recipe

Do you enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner? What about honey wine? Honey wine is a delicious drink that combines the sweetness of honey with the flavor of wine. It’s perfect for sipping on a warm evening or during a festive gathering. In this blog post, we will share a recipe for honey wine so that you can make it at home. Let’s get started!

Why Making Honey Wine?

Making honey wine, or mead, is a centuries-old tradition. Although the process is relatively simple, the end result is a complex and delicious beverage with a long history. Today, mead is enjoying something of a renaissance, with small-scale commercial producers and home enthusiasts alike rediscovering this unique and fascinating drink.

There are many reasons to make your own honey wine. For starters, it’s a great way to showcase the unique flavor of your favorite honey. Commercial meads can be pretty one-dimensional, but when you make your own you can experiment with different types of honey and come up with a blend that perfectly suits your taste.

Honey Wine Recipe

What You’ll Need:

• 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water
• 1 cup (340 grams) of honey
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) of yeast nutrient
• Airlock
• Sanitized fermentation vessel

Instruction:

Step 1: Boil Water and Honey

Start by boiling one gallon (3.8 L) of water. Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat and add one cup (340 grams) of honey. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved.

Step 2: Cool the Mixture

Let the mixture cool until it’s lukewarm (between 80-90°F/27-32°C). You don’t want it to be too hot when you add the yeast, or you’ll kill it.

Step 3: Add Yeast and Yeast Nutrient

Once the mixture has cooled, it’s time to add the yeast. Sprinkle one teaspoon (5 ml) of yeast on top of the must (the term for unfermented mead). Then add 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) of yeast nutrient. Stir gently to distribute the yeast and nutrient.

Step 4: Transfer to Fermentation Vessel and Add Airlock

Next, transfer the must to a sanitized fermentation vessel. I like to use a glass carboy, but you could also use a plastic bucket or jug. Once the must is in the vessel, add an airlock. This will allow carbon dioxide to escape while keeping contaminants out.

Step 5: Wait for Fermentation to Begin

Now it’s time for the patience part. Place your mead somewhere with a consistent temperature (between 65-70°F/18-21°C is ideal) and wait for fermentation to begin. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Step 6: Rack the Mead and Wait for Fermentation to Complete

Once fermentation is underway, you’ll need to rack the mead. This simply means transferring it to a new vessel, leaving the sediment (known as lees) behind. Racking helps to clarify the mead and prevents off-flavors from developing.

After racking, put the airlock back on and let the mead continue fermenting until it reaches its final gravity. This can take several months, so be patient!

Step 7: Bottle or Bulk Age the Mead

Once fermentation is complete, you can bottle your mead or bulk age it. Bottling is the quicker option, and will result in a mead that’s ready to drink sooner. Bulk aging, on the other hand, allows the mead to develop more complexity and character.

If you’ve decided to bottle your mead, simply siphon it into sanitized bottles, add corks or caps, and you’re done! If you’re bulk aging, transfer the mead to a carboy or other vessel and add an airlock. Store the mead in a cool, dark place and let it age for at least six months (though twelve months is even better).

Step 8: Enjoy Your Homemade Mead!

Once your mead is bottled or has finished bulk aging, it’s finally time to enjoy it! Serve it chilled or at room temperature, and savor the fruits of your labor. Congratulations, you’ve just made your very own honey wine!

Nutritional Information of Honey Wine Recipe

• Calories: 128
• Fat: 0 grams
• Protein: 0.4 grams
• Carbohydrates: 32 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugar: 26 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
• Sodium: 9 milligrams
• Alcohol content: 12% ABV (alcohol by volume)

Frequently Asked Questions on Honey Wine Recipe

What is honey wine?

Honey wine, also known as mead, is a fermented beverage made with honey, water, and yeast. It’s thought to be one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in existence, and has been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years.

How does honey wine taste?

Honey wine can vary widely in taste, depending on the type of honey used and the length of fermentation. Generally speaking, it’s a sweet, fruity, and slightly alcoholic beverage.

How do you make honey wine?

Honey wine is made by combining honey, water, and yeast, and then allowing the mixture to ferment. Once fermentation is complete, the mead can be bottled or bulk aged.

What type of honey should I use for honey wine?

The type of honey you use will impact the flavor of your mead. For a milder-tasting mead, use a lighter-colored honey. For a more robust mead, use a darker-colored honey.

Can I add fruit to my honey wine?

Yes! Fruit can be added to honey wine for additional flavor. Common fruits used in mead include apples, oranges, and berries.

How long does it take to make honey wine?

Honey wine can be ready to drink in as little as a few weeks, though it’s often best to age it for at least six months.

Where can I buy honey wine?

Honey wine is available for purchase online and at some liquor stores.

Tips And Tricks on Making on Honey Wine

If you’re new to making honey wine, here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started:

1. Use good-quality honey. The quality of the honey will impact the flavor of your mead, so it’s worth using a good-quality honey.

2. Don’t boil the water. Boiling the water will kill the yeast, so it’s important to avoid doing this.

3. Be patient. Mead takes time to make, so it’s important to be patient throughout the process.

4. Sanitize everything. This is key to making a good-quality mead. Be sure to sanitize all of your equipment before you get started.

5. Taste as you go. This will help you to adjust the flavor of your mead to your liking.

Conclusion

Be sure to share this delicious honey wine recipe with your friends and family. Who knows, maybe they’ll be inspired to make their own batch! Thanks for reading, and happy winemaking.

Read more at Tannat Recipes!