{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/pina-colada-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/pina-colada-mead.json","slug":"pina-colada-mead","name":"Piña Colada Mead","summary":"A tropical, dessert-style mead inspired by the classic piña colada cocktail. Built on wildflower honey with pineapple and toasted coconut. Targets 10% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of golden piña colada mead beside pineapple, coconut, and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Cocktail-Inspired Mead","tags":["mead","cocktail-inspired","pina-colada","pineapple","coconut","tropical","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":10,"originalGravity":1.075,"finalGravity":1.004,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":10,"unit":"lbs","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"pineapple","name":"Frozen pineapple chunks","quantity":4,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Add in secondary.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"coconut","name":"Unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted","quantity":0.5,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Toast at 350°F until golden. 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":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","Straining bags","Muslin bags","Auto-siphon and tubing","Bottles or keg"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Toast coconut","description":"Spread shredded coconut on a baking sheet. Toast at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until golden. Cool completely.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":3,"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":4,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.075.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch Lalvin 71B. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–72°F.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 3–5 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Add pineapple and coconut in secondary","description":"Rack onto thawed frozen pineapple and toasted coconut (in muslin bag). Allow 1–2 weeks of contact. Taste regularly.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Remove additions and condition","description":"Remove coconut bag and rack off pineapple. Condition for 3–6 months.","note":null},{"step":10,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–72°F (18–22°C)","fermentationTimeline":"3–5 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"3–6 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging.","safetyNotes":["Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","Coconut oils can cause haze.","Fruit additions can restart fermentation — confirm gravity is stable before packaging.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey, water, and pineapple scale linearly. Coconut does 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":["pineapple-mead","coconut-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}