If you are looking for a Black Briar Mead Recipe then you are on the right blog page. In this post, I have shared the Best Black Briar Mead Recipe with some useful information that you will like a lot I hope.
What is Black Briar Mead?
Black Briar Mead is a tasty drink made from honey, water, tea, lemon, blackberries, cinnamon, and yeast. You start by making tea and mixing it with honey. Then you add lemon juice, squished blackberries, and pieces of cinnamon sticks. Mix in yeast too, but when it’s not too hot.
Put everything in a big container and let it sit for a month. After that, you can move it to another container. It tastes good already, but you can wait and taste it sometimes to see when you like it the most.
In a game, there’s a fancy version called Blackbriar Reserve, which costs a lot. You can make your mead special by aging it in used bourbon barrels for extra flavors.
The Ingredients & Equipment Needs For Black Briar Mead
The ingredients and equipment are as follows:
Ingredients:
Natural Honey: You will need 2 lb of natural honey. Use Virginia Brand 100% Pure All Natural Honey to get the best result.
Water: You will need 1 gallon of fresh water.
Black Tea: You will need 13 packets of black tea (one-cup packets, more for a stronger flavor). Use the Harney & Sons brand tea bag to get the best result.
Lemon juice: You will need 1 whole lemon for the lemon juice. Use Freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Blackberries: You will need 1 1/2 lb of Fresh Blackberries.
Cinnamon Sticks: You will need 2 medium Cinnamon Sticks, cut into 4 small pieces.
Wine Yeast: You will need 2/3 packet of D47 Wine Yeast. Use Lalvin D47 Wine Yeast or use what you have on hand.
Tools:
You will need a Stove, Pot, Mixing Bowl, Measuring Cup, Measuring Spoon, Stirring Spoon, Strainer, Container, and Bottle.
So, let’s see How To Make a Black Briar Mead Recipe at Home!
Black Briar Mead Recipe
Equipment & Tools
- Stove
- Pot
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoon
- Stirring Spoon
- Strainer
- Container
- Bottle
Ingredients
- 2 lb Virginia Natural Honey, Recommended
- 1 Gallon Water
- 13 Packets Dark Tea (one-cup packets, more for stronger flavor)
- 1 Whole Lemon Juice
- 1 ½ lb Fresh Blackberries
- 2 (1 1/2 Inch) Cinnamon Sticks, cut into 4 small pieces
- ⅔ Packet D47 Wine Yeast, Recommended
Instructions
- Boil water until it makes about 1 gallon, like a big pot of water. Make tea using 13 dark tea packets, as the instructions on the packet say. Wait until the tea cools down to around 74°F or lower.
- Take about 1 cup of tea water or plain water and put it in a pot and add the 2 pounds of honey.
- Heat the mixture gently until the honey is all melted and mixed with the water. Don't let it boil, just warm it up so the honey dissolves.
- Cut the lemon into pieces that fit in the bottle, but not too small. Squeeze the juice from the lemon into a bowl.
- Get the blackberries ready. You can either squish them through a cloth or press them through a strainer with a spoon to get rid of any bits you don't want.
- In another bowl, mix the yeast with some lukewarm water.
- Put all the things you prepared—tea, honey water, lemon juice, squished blackberries, and pieces of cinnamon sticks—into a big container.
- Remember, the mixture should be cooler than 74°F before you add the yeast. Give it a gentle shake and put an airlock on top.
- Leave the container sitting for about a month. After that, you can move it to another container. When I tried it, it was already really good, but you can wait and taste it from time to time to see when you like it best!
Nutrition
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Variation And Tips For Black Briar Mead Recipe
Variations:
Fruity Twist: Instead of blackberries, try using raspberries or blueberries. It will give your mead a different fruity flavor.
Spice Infusion: Add a pinch of cloves or a small piece of ginger for a spicy kick. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Herbal Delight: Experiment with adding some fresh mint leaves or a small amount of dried lavender for a unique herbal aroma.
Tips:
Clean Equipment: Make sure all the containers, spoons, and tools you use are very clean. This helps the mead turn out delicious without any unwanted flavors.
Temperature Matters: Don’t add the yeast if the mixture is too hot. Wait until it cools down to around 74°F to avoid harming the yeast.
Patient Waiting: Letting the mead sit for a month helps the flavors mix and develop. The longer you wait, the better it might taste, so be patient and enjoy the process!
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FAQs about about Black Briar Mead Recipe
What to serve with Black Briar Mead?
You can enjoy Black Briar Mead with different kinds of food. It goes well with cheese, like cheddar or brie. Also, try it with roasted meats, like chicken or pork. If you like sweets, desserts like apple pie or chocolate cake can be yummy with it. Remember, the choice is yours, so you can have fun experimenting with different foods to see what you like best!
Can I use different fruits instead of blackberries?
Yes, you can! You can try using raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor. It’s like giving your mead a fruity twist.
How do I know when to add the yeast?
Wait until the mixture cools down to about 74°F or lower before adding the yeast. If it’s too hot, the yeast might not like it.
Can I add more spices to make it taste different?
Absolutely! You can add a pinch of cloves or a bit of ginger for a spicy taste. Just remember, a little bit is enough.
How long should I wait before drinking the mead?
It’s good to wait about a month. During this time, the flavors mix and become better. But you can taste it from time to time to find your favorite taste.
Can I make the mead even better?
Yes, you can! If you find used bourbon barrels, you can age the mead in them. This adds caramel and oaky flavors, and maybe even makes it a bit stronger.
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Conclusion
Making Black Briar Mead is a fun adventure in your kitchen. With honey, tea, fruit, and a little magic from yeast, you create a special drink full of flavors. Remember, you can change things up with different fruits or spices. Waiting patiently for a month lets the flavors dance together, making your mead taste even better.
When it’s ready, you can enjoy it with cheese, meats, or desserts. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can age it in bourbon barrels for extra flavors. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the delightful journey of creating your own Black Briar Mead!
