{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/ginger-lime-session-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/ginger-lime-session-mead.json","slug":"ginger-lime-session-mead","name":"Ginger Lime Session Mead","summary":"A crisp, refreshing session mead at 3.5% ABV with a bright ginger and lime character. Fresh ginger and lime zest are cold-steeped and fermented with wildflower honey for a clean, effervescent low-alcohol beverage. Derived from the Morning Tonic botanical platform and adapted for a 5-gallon home batch format.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of pale golden ginger lime session mead with fresh lime and ginger","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"derived","difficulty":"beginner","style":"Session Mead","tags":["mead","session-mead","ginger","lime","low-abv","botanical","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":3.5,"originalGravity":1.026,"finalGravity":1,"sweetnessLevel":"dry","carbonationLevel":"semi-sparkling","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":3.5,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Light honey lets ginger and lime character shine.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":5,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Chlorine-free.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"ginger","name":"Fresh ginger, sliced","quantity":0.25,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Cold-steep 12–18 hours. Adjust quantity to taste preference.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"lime-zest","name":"Organic lime zest","quantity":6,"unit":"each","notes":"Zest of 6 limes, without pith. Cold-steep with ginger.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O (organic yeast nutrient)","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":"Low-gravity batch requires minimal nutrients.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"campden","name":"Potassium metabisulfite (Campden tablet)","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"For water treatment.","optional":true,"scalingBehavior":"fixed"}],"yeast":{"name":"US-05","brand":"Fermentis","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Clean, neutral profile well-suited to session meads. Rehydrate per manufacturer instructions."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1,"unit":"g","notes":"Add at pitch.","scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours after pitch","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1,"unit":"g","notes":"Low-gravity fermentation may complete in 3–5 days.","scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Straining bags for botanicals","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer and test cylinder","Thermometer","Sanitizer (Star San or equivalent)","Auto-siphon and tubing","Carbonation equipment or priming sugar","Bottles rated for carbonation pressure"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer solution. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Cold-steep botanicals","description":"Combine sliced ginger and lime zest in a straining bag. Steep in cold filtered water for 12–18 hours.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Prepare must","description":"Dissolve honey in the botanical steep water. Mix to achieve target OG of approximately 1.026.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Take original gravity reading","description":"Record OG. Target approximately 1.026.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Pitch yeast","description":"Pitch US-05. Add first Fermaid-O addition. Ferment at 64–68°F.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity daily. Low-gravity fermentation may complete in 3–7 days. Target FG approximately 1.000.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Rack and condition","description":"Rack off lees and botanical solids. Condition for 2–4 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Carbonate","description":"Carbonate to approximately 2.3–2.5 volumes CO2.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Package","description":"Package into bottles or kegs rated for carbonation pressure.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"64–68°F (18–20°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.","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.","Nutrient additions do not scale linearly. Recalculate for any batch size change."],"scalingNotes":"This recipe is written for a 5-gallon batch. Honey and botanical quantities scale linearly. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly — recalculate for any target volume.","version":"1.0.0","changeHistory":[{"version":"1.0.0","date":"2026-09-13","summary":"Initial record derived from Morning Tonic anchor. Phase 4B Batch 1.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["morning-tonic-botanical-session-mead","traditional-mead-v1"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 — Tailored Organic Staggered Nutrient Additions","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}