TL;DR
Holiday mead is made with real honey, spices, yeast, and time — not artificial flavors or shortcuts.
Spiced and mulled meads are perfect for winter gatherings, homemade gifts, and cozy nights at home.
Brewing mead yourself gives you full control over sweetness, spice level, and alcohol strength.
Craft a Brew mead making kits include real ingredients and reusable equipment, so you can experiment and refine every batch.
Whether you prefer a warming mulled mead or a festive spiced recipe, homemade mead delivers deeper flavor and a more rewarding process.
Great holiday mead isn’t just about what you drink — it’s about crafting something seasonal, personal, and worth sharing.
Why Mead Is the Perfect Holiday Drink
When it comes to cozy, festive brewing, nothing beats a batch of mead made for the holidays. The best mead recipes for the holidays combine honey’s natural sweetness with warming spices, citrus, and seasonal flavors.
At Craft a Brew, our mead kits give homebrewers everything they need to craft traditional or spiced mead using real ingredients. Whether you’re planning a mulled mead for Christmas or a cinnamon-clove blend to share with friends, these recipes bring the warmth of the holidays to every glass.
Mead isn’t just a drink — it’s a tradition that connects ancient brewing with modern creativity. With the right recipe, it can become your holiday signature.
Spiced Holiday Mead Recipe
Spiced mead, often called metheglin, is a classic winter favorite. With cinnamon, cloves, and honey at its core, it’s ideal for sipping fireside or gifting.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs raw honey
- 1 gallon filtered water
- 1 packet wine or mead yeast
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- Optional: orange peel or vanilla bean
Instructions
- Gently heat half the water and dissolve the honey. Do not boil.
- Add spices to the warm mixture, then cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to a sanitized fermenter and top with remaining water.
- Pitch yeast and seal with an airlock.
- Ferment for 2–4 weeks, then rack and age for 1–2 months.
Once ready, your mead will have a golden color, aromatic spice, and a balanced sweetness.
“I made the spiced mead from my Craft a Brew kit and gave bottles as gifts. Everyone wanted the recipe!” — Lindsey M.
Mulled Mead Recipe (Warm & Cozy)
Mulled mead is like hot cider’s elegant cousin. Instead of fermenting with spices, finished mead is gently warmed and infused just before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle finished mead (homemade or pre-brewed)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 2 slices fresh ginger
- 1 star anise (optional)
- Orange peel
- 1 tablespoon honey, to taste
Directions
- Warm mead gently on low heat. Never boil.
- Add spices and steep for 10–15 minutes.
- Strain and serve warm in heat-safe mugs.
This method transforms finished mead into a cozy mulled drink. Try it with traditional, fruit, or spiced meads for different flavor profiles.
Festive Mead Flavor Ideas
Want to experiment beyond classic spiced or mulled meads? Try these holiday-inspired variations:
- Cranberry Orange Mead – Tart cranberries with bright citrus peel.
- Vanilla Chai Mead – Brew with black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla.
- Apple Cinnamon Mead – A cider-mead hybrid perfect for holiday desserts.
- Chocolate Cherry Mead – Cocoa nibs and cherries added during secondary fermentation.
Each variation can be brewed using the same Craft a Brew Mead Making Kit with small ingredient additions.
“My cranberry-orange mead was the hit of our holiday dinner!” — Kevin D.
Tips for Brewing Mead in Winter
Cooler temperatures can slow fermentation. Keep these tips in mind:
- Keep it warm: Ideal fermentation is 65–75°F.
- Plan ahead: Mead benefits from aging, so start early.
- Sanitize carefully: Dry winter air increases contamination risk.
- Taste as you go: Adjust sweetness and spice during secondary fermentation.
Every Craft a Brew mead kit includes reusable equipment and beginner-friendly instructions, making it easy to brew year-round.
Ready to Brew Your Holiday Mead?
The holidays are the perfect time to experiment with flavor and tradition. From spiced and mulled meads to fruit-forward creations, Craft a Brew gives you everything you need to brew with confidence.
Brew. Sip. Celebrate. Share the gift of homemade mead this season.
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