Rose Petal Rhodomel
A floral mead with dried rose petals. Delicate and perfumed, the kind of mead that converts wine drinkers.
Rose Petal Rhodomel is a semi-sweet rhodomel made with orange blossom honey and Lalvin 71B yeast, fermented from an original gravity of 1.100 to 1.012 for about 11.6% ABV. It is drinkable in 6–9 months.
- Original gravity
- 1.100
- Final gravity
- 1.012
- ABV
- 11.6%
- Drinkable in
- 6–9 months
Ingredients
Amounts are for a 1-gallon batch.
| 3 lb | Orange blossom honey |
| to volume | WaterTo 1 gallon total. |
| 2.5 g | Lalvin 71B yeast |
| 3 g | Fermaid-OStaggered over four additions. |
| 0.25 oz | Dried rose petalsFood-grade and unsprayed. Added in secondary. |
Method
Ferment a traditionalMix, pitch, and feed as for a traditional mead.
Steep the rosesRack into secondary and add the petals in a bag.
Taste after 3 daysPull the petals as soon as the aroma is clear. Over-steeped roses turn bitter and tea-like.
FinishStabilize, backsweeten gently, and bottle when clear.
Brewer's note. Florist roses are usually sprayed. Buy petals sold for tea or cooking.
Recipe by White Shed Meadery, Chehalis, Washington. ABV is estimated from gravity: (OG − FG) × 131.25. Scale every ingredient in proportion for larger batches.