{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/caramel-apple-bochet","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/caramel-apple-bochet.json","slug":"caramel-apple-bochet","name":"Caramel Apple Bochet","summary":"A dessert-style bochet built on caramelized honey with apple juice and cinnamon. The caramelized honey provides toffee and caramel notes; apple juice adds a familiar autumn sweetness. Targets 13% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of amber caramel apple bochet beside fresh apples and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"advanced","style":"Bochet","tags":["mead","bochet","apple","caramel","cinnamon","autumnal","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":13,"originalGravity":1.098,"finalGravity":1.005,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Clover or wildflower honey","quantity":12,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Will be caramelized.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"apple-juice","name":"Fresh-pressed apple juice (no preservatives)","quantity":2,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Add after caramelizing honey. Must be preservative-free.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":2.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon sticks","quantity":2,"unit":"each","notes":"Add in secondary.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":10,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-k","name":"Fermaid-K","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin EC-1118","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Handles caramelized must."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-K","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["Large stainless steel pot (8+ quarts)","Candy thermometer","6-gallon fermentation vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Muslin bags","Auto-siphon and tubing","Bottles or keg"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Caramelize the honey","description":"Heat honey in a large stainless steel pot over medium heat. Stir constantly. Heat to 300–320°F until deep amber.","note":"CAUTION: Caramelizing honey is extremely dangerous. See safety notes."},{"step":2,"title":"Add apple juice and water","description":"Remove from heat. Slowly add apple juice and water. Mixture will foam. Stir to combine. Cool to below 80°F.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Build must","description":"Transfer to fermenter. Top up to 5.5 gallons if needed.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.098.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch EC-1118. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–72°F.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 5–7 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Add cinnamon in secondary","description":"Rack. Add cinnamon sticks. Allow 1–2 weeks of contact. Taste regularly.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Remove cinnamon and condition","description":"Remove cinnamon. Condition for 4–8 months.","note":null},{"step":10,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–72°F (18–22°C)","fermentationTimeline":"5–7 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"4–8 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging.","safetyNotes":["CAUTION: Caramelizing honey is extremely dangerous. Honey can reach temperatures above 300°F (149°C).","Use a candy thermometer and never leave caramelizing honey unattended.","Keep a lid nearby to smother any flames.","Never use a non-stick pot for caramelizing honey.","Adding liquid to hot honey causes violent foaming — add slowly and stand back.","Apple juice must be preservative-free.","Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey, apple juice, and water scale linearly. Spice additions do NOT scale linearly. 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 5.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["traditional-bochet","honey-cider-cyser"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}