{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/aperol-spritz-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/aperol-spritz-mead.json","slug":"aperol-spritz-mead","name":"Aperol Spritz-Inspired Mead","summary":"A light, bittersweet mead inspired by the Italian Aperol Spritz. Built on wildflower honey with blood orange and bitter orange peel. Targets 8% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of orange aperol spritz mead beside blood oranges and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Cocktail-Inspired Mead","tags":["mead","cocktail-inspired","aperol-spritz","blood-orange","bitter","italian","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":8,"originalGravity":1.06,"finalGravity":1.004,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"sparkling","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":8,"unit":"lbs","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"blood-orange-juice","name":"Fresh blood orange juice","quantity":1,"unit":"cups","notes":"Add in secondary.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"blood-orange-zest","name":"Blood orange zest","quantity":3,"unit":"each","notes":"Zest of 3 blood oranges. Add in secondary in a muslin bag.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"bitter-orange-peel","name":"Dried bitter orange peel","quantity":0.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary. Provides the bitter character.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":8,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin 71B","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":null},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Secondary vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Muslin bags","Auto-siphon and tubing","Carbonation equipment","Pressure-rated bottles"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Build honey must","description":"Dissolve honey in 1 gallon of warm water. Cool. Add to fermenter with remaining water to 5.5 gallons.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.060.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch Lalvin 71B. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–70°F.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 2–4 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Add citrus in secondary","description":"Rack. Add blood orange juice, zest (in muslin bag), and bitter orange peel (in muslin bag). Taste daily.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Remove additions and condition","description":"Remove zest and peel when desired intensity is reached. Condition for 2–4 months.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Carbonate and package","description":"Carbonate to approximately 2.5 volumes CO2. Package into pressure-rated bottles.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–70°F (18–21°C)","fermentationTimeline":"2–4 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"2–4 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before carbonating. Use vessels rated for carbonation pressure.","safetyNotes":["Never seal a bottle of mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","This recipe produces a carbonated beverage. Use only bottles or kegs rated for carbonation pressure.","Bitter orange peel can become very bitter if over-extracted — taste daily and remove promptly.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. Citrus additions do NOT scale linearly — adjust to taste. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly.","version":"1.0.0","changeHistory":[{"version":"1.0.0","date":"2026-09-13","summary":"Initial record. Phase 4C Batch 9.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["blood-orange-mead","margarita-honey-ferment"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}