Maple syrup can be a wonderful addition to mead, creating a unique and delicious flavor profile. It adds a touch of sweetness and a subtle hint of maple that pairs beautifully with the honey and other ingredients. Using maple syrup in mead is actually quite common, and there are even specific names for mead made with maple syrup, such as “acerglyn” or “maple mead”.
One of my personal favorite recipes is a blend of maple syrup and honey, combined with warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, and a touch of citrus from orange. This combination creates a mead that is rich, comforting, and full of complex flavors.
To make a maple mead, you would start with a base of honey and water, just as you would with any other mead recipe. The ratio of honey to water can vary depending on your desired sweetness level, but a common starting point is around 3 pounds of honey per gallon of water.
Once you have your honey and water mixture, you would then add in the maple syrup. The amount of maple syrup can also vary, depending on how pronounced you want the maple flavor to be. I typically start with around 1 cup of maple syrup per gallon of mead, but feel free to adjust to your own taste.
Next, you can add in your spices and citrus zest. For a gallon of mead, I like to use about 1 cinnamon stick, 3-4 cloves, and the zest of one orange. You can adjust these amounts to your own preference, adding more or less depending on how prominent you want the flavors to be.
Once all the ingredients are added, it's time to ferment the mead. You can use your preferred yeast strain, but I find that a neutral yeast like Lalvin 71B-1122 works well to let the flavors of the maple syrup and spices shine through. Fermentation times can vary, but typically you would let the mead ferment for several weeks to a few months, until it reaches your desired level of sweetness and flavor development.
After fermentation is complete, you can choose to age the mead for additional complexity. This can be done in a carboy or bottle, allowing the flavors to meld and mellow over time. The aging process can range from a few months to several years, depending on your patience and preference.
When it comes time to enjoy your maple mead, I find that serving it slightly chilled allows the flavors to shine. The combination of the soothing maple, the delicate honey, and the warming spices creates a truly delightful drinking experience.
Using maple syrup in mead is not only possible but highly recommended. The blend of maple syrup, honey, and other flavorings creates a unique and delicious mead that is sure to impress. So go ahead and give it a try – you won't be disappointed!