{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/lemon-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/lemon-mead.json","slug":"lemon-mead","name":"Lemon Mead (Cytomel)","summary":"A bright, citrus-forward mead built on wildflower honey and fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice contributes sharp acidity and a clean citrus character. A cytomel is a mead made with citrus juice. Targets 12% ABV with a semi-dry finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of pale golden lemon mead beside fresh lemons and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Cytomel","tags":["mead","cytomel","lemon","citrus","bright","semi-dry","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":12,"originalGravity":1.09,"finalGravity":1.003,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"sparkling","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":12,"unit":"lbs","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"lemon-juice","name":"Fresh lemon juice","quantity":2,"unit":"cups","notes":"Freshly squeezed. Add in secondary to preserve citrus aroma.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"lemon-zest","name":"Lemon zest","quantity":4,"unit":"each","notes":"Zest of 4 lemons. Add in secondary in a muslin bag.","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 71B","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Handles citrus acidity well."},"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":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Secondary vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Muslin 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 1.090.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch Lalvin 71B. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–72°F.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor primary fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Primary typically completes in 3–5 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Add lemon in secondary","description":"Rack onto lemon juice and zest (in muslin bag). Allow 3–5 days of contact. Taste regularly.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Remove zest and condition","description":"Remove zest bag. Condition for 2–4 months.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Carbonate and package","description":"Carbonate to approximately 2.5 volumes CO2. Package into pressure-rated bottles.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–72°F (18–22°C)","fermentationTimeline":"3–5 weeks primary + 3–5 days citrus contact","conditioningTimeline":"2–4 months","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."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. Lemon juice and zest additions do 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 4.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["ginger-lime-session-mead","hibiscus-lime-session-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}