Did you know that mead, often considered the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, can be transformed into a delightful Christmas treat? I’ve stumbled upon a recipe that brilliantly merges the traditional sweetness of mead with the festive flavors of the holiday season. It’s called the Christmas Spice BOMM, a brew that infuses the richness of orange blossom honey with the tartness of apple cider and fresh cuties juice. The real kicker, though, is the addition of a vanilla bean during fermentation. Intrigued by this festive concoction? There’s more to unwrap about this unique holiday beverage.
Recipe
As the snowflakes start to fall and you hear the jingle bells ringing in the distance, there’s no better way to embrace the festive season than with a homemade Christmas Spice BOMM! This mead recipe is packed full of delightful flavors that will warm you from the inside out. The combination of orange blossom honey, fresh apple cider, and the juice of cuties creates a truly flavorful base, while the addition of a vanilla bean during fermentation introduces an aromatic sweetness that rounds out the taste beautifully.
Getting started on making your own Christmas mead is an exciting process. It’s not just about combining ingredients and waiting for the magic to happen. The fermentation process is a fascinating journey in itself, involving careful monitoring to ensure the specific gravity hits just the right point.
And then there’s the anticipation of seeing your mead become bright and clear after cold crashing, and the thrill of bottling your very own fizzy, bubbly mead to share with loved ones during the holidays!
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs of orange blossom honey
- 1.5 cups of apple cider
- Juice of 2 cuties
- Slurry of Wyeast 1388
- 1 vanilla bean
- Carbonation drops
To make the Christmas Spice BOMM, start by combining the orange blossom honey, apple cider, and cuties juice in a large pot, then heat it gently until the honey is completely dissolved.
Add your slurry of Wyeast 1388 to initiate fermentation and transfer the mixture to a fermenter. Monitor the primary fermentation process carefully, ensuring that the specific gravity reaches between 1.000 and 1.005.
After primary fermentation, add a vanilla bean to the fermenter for additional flavor. Allow the mead to continue fermenting for one week before initiating the cold crashing process to clarify it.
Once the mead is clear, you can proceed to bottling, using carbonation drops to achieve the desired fizziness. Let the bottled mead develop for 1-2 weeks to allow the carbonation to fully form.
Brief history about this recipe
Weaving a tale of ancient tradition and modern innovation, the Christmas Spice BOMM recipe is a nostalgic nod to yesteryears and a testament to the enduring appeal of mead.
Drawing inspiration from festive flavors like orange blossom honey, apple cider, and mulling spices such as cinnamon and ginger, this Christmas mead recipe aims to evoke the seasonal spirit associated with winter festivities.
Historically, references to spiced meads can be traced back to antiquity. Our ancestors celebrated seasonal events with drinks made from honey, spices, and fruits, a tradition this recipe heartily embraces.
But it’s not all about the past. The recipe incorporates the unique BOMM (Bray’s One Month Mead) technique, a modern twist that allows for a shorter fermentation period without compromising on the rich flavor profile.
In recent years, the resurgence of mead making has reignited interest in recipes like the Christmas Spice BOMM. Homebrewers are exploring creative and flavorful interpretations of traditional beverages, making this Christmas mead a popular choice during the holiday season.
