Spiced Apple Cyser Mead Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) of raw honey
• 1 gallon (3.78 L) of fresh apple cider (unpasteurized if possible)
• 1 lb (0.45 kg) of chopped apples (mix of sweet and tart varieties)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 star anise
• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
• 1 orange, zest and juice
• 1 packet of mead yeast (e.g., Lalvin 71B)
• 1 teaspoon of yeast nutrient
• 1/2 teaspoon of yeast energizer

Instructions:

Primary Fermentation:

1. Sanitize Everything: Ensure all your equipment is sanitized before starting.

2. Prepare the Must:

   • In a large pot, gently heat the honey (do not boil) to make it easier to pour.
   • Mix the honey and apple cider in your fermentation vessel to create the must.
   • Add the chopped apples, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, vanilla bean, and orange zest and juice to the must.

3. Yeast Preparation:

   • Hydrate the yeast according to the packet instructions.
   • Add the yeast nutrient and energizer to the must.
   • Pitch the yeast into the must and stir gently.

4. Fermentation:

   • Seal the fermentation vessel with an airlock and store it in a dark, cool place.
   • Allow it to ferment for 4-6 weeks, checking the airlock periodically to ensure fermentation is occurring.

Secondary Fermentation:

5. Transfer and Spice:
   
   • After primary fermentation, siphon the mead into a clean, sanitized secondary fermentation vessel, leaving the sediment (lees) behind.
   • Add another cinnamon stick and a fresh vanilla bean to enhance the spiced flavor in the secondary.
6. Age the Mead:
   
   • Allow the mead to age in secondary fermentation for at least 3-6 months. For a smoother, more mellow flavor, you can age it even longer.

Bottling:

7. Final Transfer:

   • Once the mead has cleared and aged to your liking, siphon it into sanitized bottles, leaving any sediment behind.

8. Bottle Age:

   • Optionally, allow the mead to bottle-age for additional months or even years to further develop its flavors.

9. Enjoy:

   • Chill slightly, pour, and enjoy your homemade Spiced Apple Cyser Mead!

Notes:

• Adjust to Taste: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking.
• Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter mead, consider back-sweetening with additional honey after fermentation has completed.

This recipe combines the sweetness of honey, the crispness of apples, and the warmth of autumnal spices. It’s a cyser (apple mead) with a spiced twist. Feel free to adjust according to your taste preferences, and happy brewing!