Blackberry Mead Recipe - How to Make This Sweet Honey Wine

Blackberry mead is a delicious melomel, or fruit mead, made by fermenting honey with blackberries. The sweet flavor of ripe blackberries pairs beautifully with the honey notes in this unique wine. Homebrewing blackberry mead is easy and rewarding. This article covers everything you need to know, from a full recipe to tips for perfect blackberry mead.

Overview of Blackberry Mead

Mead is an alcoholic wine brewed from honey. Melomels are meads that also contain fruit, providing flavor dimension. Blackberries lend a jammy sweet-tart flavor and gorgeous ruby color. Their summery essence makes blackberry mead perfect for sipping on warm evenings.

Qualities of Blackberry Mead:

• Made with raw honey
• Additional flavors from blackberries
• Can be still, carbonated, dry, or sweet
• Ruby color from blackberry juices
• Fruit and honey bouquet

Blackberry Mead Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make 1 gallon of blackberry mead:

• 3 lbs raw honey
• 1 gallon water
• 5 lbs fresh or frozen blackberries
• 1 packet wine yeast
• Yeast nutrient
• 1 tsp pectic enzyme

Blackberry Mead Recipe Directions

Prepare the must:

Heat water and mix in honey until dissolved. Add pectic enzyme. Cool must to room temp before pitching yeast.

Add the fruit:

Wash, crush, and add blackberries into fermentation bucket. Pour cooled honey-water mixture over fruit.

Ferment:

Add activated wine yeast once must cools below 75°F. Ferment 30 days, aerating occasionally. Add yeast nutrient. Monitor gravity.

Secondary Fermentation:

Transfer mead to carboy, leaving fruit pulp behind. Let settle 1 week before racking off lees. Ferment additional 2-6 months.

Age and Bottle:

Rack mead clear of sediment. Bulk age additional 3-12 months. Add stabilizers/sweeteners if desired. Bottle and store upright 2 weeks before drinking.

Tips for the Best Blackberry Mead

• Use ripe, juicy berries for bold flavor.
• Add yeast nutrient for healthy fermentation.
• Control fermentation temperatures.
• Aerate must to build yeast health.
• Age mead at least 6 months for smoothness.

Serving Suggestions for Blackberry Mead

Enjoy blackberry mead:

• Chilled on its own
• Served alongside berry desserts like cobbler
• Poured over ice cream for an adult float
• Reduced to a syrup for cocktails or vinaigrettes
• Mull with spices like cinnamon and cloves

Conclusion

With its enchanting ruby color and flavors of ripe summer blackberries and honey, blackberry mead is a delicious homemade beverage to savor. Follow this easy recipe for sweet, jammy mead you'll want to share. A toast to your successful brew!

FAQs

What is the alcohol content of mead?

Most mead ranges from 8-16% ABV, similar to wine. The final alcohol level depends on the honey, yeast strain, and fermentation factors.

How long does blackberry mead take to make?

Blackberry mead takes a minimum of 6 months from start to drinkable finish. Aging for a year or more is ideal.

What yeast should I use?

A wine or mead-specific yeast like Lalvin D47 or 71B is recommended. Use yeast nutrient for a healthy ferment.

Is bottling necessary?

Bottling is not required but recommended to allow conditioning and carbonation if desired. Kegs also work.

Can I substitute frozen blackberries?

Frozen blackberries work well too. Thaw first and use pectic enzyme to maximize juices.