{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/negroni-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/negroni-mead.json","slug":"negroni-mead","name":"Negroni-Inspired Mead","summary":"A bold, bitter-forward mead inspired by the classic Negroni cocktail. Built on wildflower honey with red grape juice, bitter orange peel, and juniper. Targets 13% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of deep ruby negroni mead beside bitter orange peel, juniper berries, and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"advanced","style":"Cocktail-Inspired Mead","tags":["mead","cocktail-inspired","negroni","bitter","juniper","grape","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":11,"unit":"lbs","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"grape-juice","name":"Red grape juice (no preservatives)","quantity":1,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":3,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"bitter-orange-peel","name":"Dried bitter orange peel","quantity":0.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary. Taste weekly.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"juniper","name":"Dried juniper berries, lightly crushed","quantity":0.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary. Taste weekly.","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 EC-1118","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":null},"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","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 must","description":"Dissolve honey in 1 gallon of warm water. Cool. Add to fermenter with grape juice and 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 EC-1118. 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 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 bitter orange peel and juniper in sanitized muslin bags. Taste weekly — bitter compounds extract slowly but can become overwhelming.","note":"Use only culinary-grade juniper berries from a reputable source."},{"step":8,"title":"Remove botanicals and condition","description":"Remove botanical bags when desired intensity is reached. Condition for 4–8 months.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–72°F (18–22°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 culinary-grade juniper berries from a reputable source. Some juniper species are toxic.","Bitter orange peel can become very bitter if over-extracted — taste regularly.","Grape juice must be preservative-free.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey, grape juice, and water scale linearly. 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 9.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["margarita-honey-ferment","juniper-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}