{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/cherry-lime-session-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/cherry-lime-session-mead.json","slug":"cherry-lime-session-mead","name":"Cherry Lime Session Mead","summary":"A bright, tart session mead built on wildflower honey with tart cherries and fresh lime juice. Targets 6% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of deep pink cherry lime session mead beside tart cherries and lime slices","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"beginner","style":"Session Mead","tags":["mead","session","cherry","lime","tart","refreshing","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":6,"originalGravity":1.046,"finalGravity":1.004,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"sparkling","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":6,"unit":"lbs","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"cherries","name":"Tart Montmorency cherries, pitted","quantity":3,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Frozen preferred.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"lime-juice","name":"Fresh lime juice","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cups","notes":"Add in secondary.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":5,"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":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Secondary vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Straining 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 1.046.","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":"Add 24-hour nutrient","description":"Add second Fermaid-O addition at 24 hours.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 1–2 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Add cherries and lime in secondary","description":"Rack onto thawed frozen cherries. Add lime juice. Allow 3–5 days of contact. Taste regularly.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Rack off fruit and condition","description":"Rack off cherries. Condition for 2–4 weeks.","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":"1–2 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"2–4 weeks","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.","Remove all cherry pits before adding fruit.","This recipe produces a carbonated beverage. Use only bottles or kegs rated for carbonation pressure.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey, water, and cherries scale linearly. Lime juice does 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 7.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["hibiscus-lime-session-mead","cranium-smasher-cherry-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}