{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/old-fashioned-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/old-fashioned-mead.json","slug":"old-fashioned-mead","name":"Old Fashioned Mead","summary":"A sophisticated, oak-forward mead inspired by the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. Built on buckwheat honey with American oak, orange zest, and Angostura-style bitters. Targets 14% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of deep amber old fashioned mead beside orange peel, oak cubes, 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","old-fashioned","oak","buckwheat","sophisticated","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":14,"originalGravity":1.106,"finalGravity":1.006,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Buckwheat honey","quantity":14,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Dark, robust varietal for depth.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"oak-cubes","name":"Heavy-toast American oak cubes","quantity":1.5,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary for 2–4 weeks.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"orange-zest","name":"Orange zest","quantity":3,"unit":"each","notes":"Zest of 3 oranges. Add in secondary in a muslin bag.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"bitters","name":"Aromatic bitters (Angostura-style)","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp","notes":"Add at packaging. Adjust to taste.","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 D47","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Enhances complexity; keep below 65°F."},"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 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 1.106.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch D47. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 60–65°F.","note":"D47 must be kept below 65°F."},{"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 6–8 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Add oak and orange in secondary","description":"Rack. Add oak cubes and orange zest (in muslin bag). Allow 2–4 weeks of oak contact. Taste regularly.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Remove additions and condition","description":"Remove oak and zest. Condition for 6–12 months.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Add bitters and package","description":"Add aromatic bitters at packaging if desired. Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"60–65°F (15–18°C)","fermentationTimeline":"6–8 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"6–12 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging. Extended aging is strongly recommended.","safetyNotes":["Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","D47 yeast must be kept below 65°F during fermentation.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. Oak, orange zest, and bitters 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":["dark-and-stormy-mead","buckwheat-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}