A vibrant, tart session mead at 3.5% ABV with deep crimson color from dried hibiscus flowers and a bright lime finish. Hibiscus contributes natural acidity and a striking ruby hue. Lightly carbonated for a refreshing, low-alcohol beverage. This is an editorial development recipe in a 5-gallon batch format.
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Batch size
5 gallons
Target ABV
3.5%
Fermentation
1–2 weeks
Conditioning
2–4 weeks
Responsible use: These recipes produce alcoholic beverages. Ferment and consume responsibly. Verify all quantities, equipment, and safety procedures before beginning. Consult local regulations regarding home fermentation.
Light honey lets hibiscus and lime character shine.
Chlorine-free.
Add in secondary for best color and flavor. Steep 3–5 days.
Zest of 4 limes, without pith. Add with hibiscus in secondary.
Low-gravity batch requires minimal nutrients.
For water treatment.
Yeast
Lalvin Lalvin 71B — 1 packets
71B partially metabolizes malic acid, complementing hibiscus acidity. Rehydrate per manufacturer instructions.
| Timing | Nutrient | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0 (pitch) | Fermaid-O | 1 g | Add at pitch. |
| 24 hours after pitch | Fermaid-O | 1 g | Low-gravity fermentation may complete in 3–5 days. |
Prepare no-rinse sanitizer solution. Sanitize all vessels and tools.
Dissolve honey in filtered water. Mix to achieve target OG of approximately 1.026.
Record OG. Target approximately 1.026.
Pitch Lalvin 71B. Add first Fermaid-O addition. Ferment at 65–70°F.
Check gravity daily. Low-gravity fermentation may complete in 3–7 days.
Rack the mead off the lees. Add dried hibiscus flowers and lime zest in a straining bag. Steep for 3–5 days, tasting daily for color and flavor intensity.
Hibiscus color and flavor extract quickly. Taste daily to avoid over-extraction.
Remove hibiscus bag when desired color and flavor is achieved. Condition for 2–4 weeks.
Carbonate to approximately 2.3–2.5 volumes CO2.
Package into bottles or kegs rated for carbonation pressure.
Ensure fermentation is fully complete before carbonating. Use vessels rated for carbonation pressure.
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.
Enter your desired finished batch size to scale ingredient quantities. Press Enter or tap away to apply.
Target ABV
3.5%
Original gravity
1.026
Final gravity
1.000
Sweetness
dry
Finished volume
5 gallons
Gross starting volume
5.5 gallons
Expected loss
0.5 gallons(9%)
| Ingredient | Quantity | Unit | Scaling notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildflower or orange blossom honey | 3.5 | lbs | |
| Filtered water | 5 | gallons | |
| Dried hibiscus flowers (Jamaica) | 4 | oz | |
| Organic lime zest | 4 | each | |
| Fermaid-O (organic yeast nutrient) | 2 | g | ⚠ review |
| Potassium metabisulfite (Campden tablet)(optional) | 1 | packets | fixed |
⚠ Ingredients requiring review
Initial record created as part of Phase 4B Batch 1 catalog development.
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