Video by chanleethedistiller

This is probably the very first alcoholic beverage in human history. It's called mead, and it's made from honey. It's so easy to make that it was likely created through natural fermentation thousands of years ago, which is why it is believed to be the very first alcoholic drink. It can easily be made at home.

First, pour honey in a fermentation vessel, then add twice the amount of water. Mix thoroughly, then add lactic acid to increase acidity. Without lactic acid, the mead just ends up tasting sweet and lacks balance. Next, add the yeast. I used a cider yeast for this batch. Then, seal the lid tight, pop on an airlock, and let it ferment.

After a few days, transfer the liquid to another container, leaving the yeast sediment at the bottom behind. This leftover yeast sediment can be discarded. Transfer the mead back into a fermenter again and add a fresh dose of yeast, and continue fermenting. This helps fermentation to proceed more steadily and efficiently. Refrigerate the mead when fermentation is nearly finished,

and let it age for about 4 months, and the mead will clear as so. Carefully separate this clear layer at the top and bottle it. Now, this is traditional mead. I used orange blossom honey, and the aroma is incredible. The floral citrus fragrance and rich sweetness of honey is perfectly balanced and makes you feel as if you're standing in an orange grove.

I also really like the semi-sweet level of sweetness. Mead tastes the best after being aged for at least four months in the refrigerator, so be sure to keep that in mind. I make a variety of alcoholic beverages at home, so if you'd like to see more, don't forget to like and subscribe.