{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/honey-cider-cyser","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/honey-cider-cyser.json","slug":"honey-cider-cyser","name":"Honey Cider (Cyser)","summary":"A traditional cyser — a hybrid of apple cider and mead — that bridges the crisp acidity of fresh apple juice with the floral complexity of wildflower honey. Targets 8.5% ABV with a semi-dry finish and natural carbonation. This is an editorial development recipe in a 5-gallon batch format.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of golden cyser beside fresh apples and a jar of wildflower honey","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Cyser","tags":["mead","cyser","cider","apple","honey","semi-dry","five-gallon","bjcp"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":8.5,"originalGravity":1.064,"finalGravity":1.004,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"petillant","ingredients":[{"id":"apple-juice","name":"Fresh-pressed apple juice (no preservatives)","quantity":4,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Must be preservative-free. Provides fermentable base and apple character.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":5,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Adds floral complexity and increases ABV. Adjust quantity to hit target OG.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":0.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Used to dissolve honey before adding to apple juice.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O (organic yeast nutrient)","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":"Apple juice provides natural YAN; supplement with Fermaid-O for yeast health.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"campden","name":"Potassium metabisulfite (Campden tablet)","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"For juice sanitation if using fresh-pressed. Wait 24 hours before pitching.","optional":true,"scalingBehavior":"fixed"},{"id":"pectic-enzyme","name":"Pectic enzyme","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","notes":"Aids clarification of apple juice.","optional":true,"scalingBehavior":"linear"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin 71B","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"71B partially metabolizes malic acid, softening the natural apple acidity. Well-suited to cyser production."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.25,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours after pitch","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.25,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours after pitch","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.25,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break (approx. SG 1.043)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.25,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","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":"Prepare apple juice base","description":"If using fresh-pressed juice, add Campden tablet and wait 24 hours. If using pasteurized juice, proceed directly.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Dissolve honey","description":"Warm 0.5 gallon of filtered water to approximately 100°F. Dissolve honey completely. Allow to cool before adding to apple juice.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Combine and take original gravity reading","description":"Add honey solution to apple juice. Mix thoroughly. Record OG. Target approximately 1.064.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Pitch yeast","description":"Pitch Lalvin 71B. Add first Fermaid-O addition. Ferment at 60–65°F.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Nutrient additions","description":"Follow the TOSNA nutrient schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 3–6 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Rack to secondary","description":"Rack off the lees into a clean vessel. Minimize oxygen exposure.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Condition and clarify","description":"Condition for 2–4 months. The cyser will clarify naturally.","note":null},{"step":10,"title":"Carbonate and package","description":"Carbonate to approximately 1.5–2.0 volumes CO2 for a petillant finish.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"60–65°F (15–18°C)","fermentationTimeline":"3–6 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 cyser that has not fully finished fermenting.","This recipe produces a carbonated beverage. Use only bottles or kegs rated for carbonation pressure.","Apple juice must be preservative-free — preservatives will inhibit or kill yeast.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished cyser.","Nutrient additions do not scale linearly. Recalculate for any batch size change."],"scalingNotes":"This recipe is written for a 5-gallon batch. Apple juice and honey 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 created as part of Phase 4B Batch 1 catalog development.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["pineapple-chili-cider","traditional-mead-v1"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"BJCP Mead Style Guidelines — Category M2A Cyser","url":"https://www.bjcp.org/mead-style-guidelines/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null},{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 — Tailored Organic Staggered Nutrient Additions","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}