{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/metheglin-complex","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/metheglin-complex.json","slug":"metheglin-complex","name":"Complex Metheglin","summary":"An advanced metheglin built on wildflower honey with a complex botanical blend: elderflower, rose hip, lemon balm, and meadowsweet. Inspired by traditional Welsh and English metheglin recipes. Targets 13% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of golden complex metheglin beside dried botanicals and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"expert","style":"Metheglin","tags":["mead","metheglin","botanical","complex","elderflower","rose-hip","advanced","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":13,"originalGravity":1.098,"finalGravity":1.005,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":13,"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":"elderflower","name":"Dried elderflowers","quantity":0.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary in a muslin bag. Taste daily.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"rose-hip","name":"Dried rose hips","quantity":1,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary in a muslin bag.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"lemon-balm","name":"Dried lemon balm","quantity":0.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary in a muslin bag.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"meadowsweet","name":"Dried meadowsweet flowers","quantity":0.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary in a muslin bag.","optional":true,"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":"Preserves delicate botanical esters."},"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","Multiple muslin bags","Auto-siphon and tubing","Bottles or keg"],"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 1.098.","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":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 4–6 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Add botanicals in secondary","description":"Rack. Add each botanical in a separate sanitized muslin bag. Taste daily — elderflowers extract very quickly; rose hips and lemon balm extract more slowly.","note":"Using separate bags allows you to remove each botanical independently as desired intensity is reached."},{"step":8,"title":"Remove botanicals and condition","description":"Remove each botanical bag when desired intensity is reached. Condition for 4–8 months.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–70°F (18–21°C)","fermentationTimeline":"4–6 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"4–8 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging.","safetyNotes":["Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","Use only food-grade, pesticide-free botanicals from reputable sources.","Elderflowers extract very quickly — taste daily and remove promptly.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. All botanical 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 10.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["morning-tonic-botanical-session-mead","rose-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null},{"title":"BJCP Mead Style Guidelines — Metheglin","url":"https://www.bjcp.org/mead-style-guidelines/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}