Looking for a refreshing drink that’s both fruity and delicious? Look no further! We’ve compiled 13 mouthwatering mead cocktails that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Mead, an ancient fermented honey beverage, adds a unique twist to cocktail-making. Whether you mix it with spirits or enjoy it on its own, the sweetness of mead shines through. With a history dating back to the 7th millennium BCE in China, mead has been a beloved drink for thousands of years.
The Old English word ‘medu’ translates to ‘fermented honey drink’, and while honey is a key ingredient, not all meads are sweet. In fact, some varieties incorporate fruits, grains, and spices to create unique flavor profiles. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there’s a mead out there for you.
One of the most exciting aspects of using mead in cocktails is the depth it adds to flavors.
Take the Bourbon Blackberry Mead, for example, which boasts a sweet-tart taste that’s simply irresistible. And if you’re a fan of classic cocktails like Cosmopolitans, our ‘The Nice List’ recipe is sure to impress.
To give you some inspiration, we’ve put together 13 mead cocktails you can try at home or serve to your guests. From fruity and floral to spicy and sour, there’s something for everyone.
Bourbon Blackberry Mead
Indulge in the harmonious blend of sweet blackberries and rich bourbon with the Bourbon Blackberry Mead Cocktail. This refreshing concoction is perfect for social gatherings or a relaxing evening. To craft this delightful drink, begin by preparing the honey syrup by mixing equal parts honey and water. Next, combine blackberries, bitters, orange peel, and the honey syrup in a glass and gently muddle for a few seconds.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine mead, bourbon, and water, then shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Strain the mixture over a large ice cube in the prepared glass. Finish with a lemon twist garnish and savor every sip of this Bourbon-inspired delight. With only a minute’s preparation time, it’s well worth the wait for fans of the iconic spirit.
Heart Of The Dragon
Satisfy your thirst while binging ‘House of the Dragon’ with this Game of Thrones-inspired mead cocktail. This show-stopping drink combines Irish whiskey, honey mead, orange juice, simple syrup, egg white, and a splash of dry red wine. To add a touch of drama, pour the mixture into a glass and create a red wine float effect by slowly pouring the wine over the back of a metal spoon.
As you take a sip, you’ll experience a bold blend of sharp, oaky, and fruity flavors that pays homage to the rich lore and legend of Westeros. Serve this regal drink in chalices for an immersive experience.
Pennsylvania Honey Wine Spritz
Indulge in the delightful Pennsylvania Honey Wine Spritz, a revitalizing mead cocktail that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy. This sweet treat requires only a few simple ingredients, making it an ideal choice for your next social gathering or relaxing weekend evening. What sets this drink apart from others is its unconventional preparation method – no shaker required!
Simply combine club soda, Angostura bitters, mead, and a squeeze of orange peel to taste, then fill a cocktail glass with ice, stir gently, and finish it off with a decorative orange peel garnish.
The Nice List
Mead’s distinctive flavor profile makes it an ideal mixer for creating one-of-a-kind cocktails that can elevate any drink to new heights. A prime example is The Nice List, a variation of the Cosmopolitan that combines vodka, lemon, spiced cranberry syrup, and Cointreau. To add an extra layer of complexity and fruitiness, peach mead is incorporated, allowing the raw honey’s natural sweetness to take center stage.
For those interested in crafting their own spiced cranberry syrup, it’s as simple as combining cranberry juice, orange peel, whole cloves, and cardamom in a pot and simmering over low heat. Once all the ingredients are combined, add ice and shake well before pouring the mixture into a coupe glass and finishing with an orange wheel.
Moonlight Sour
With the Moonlight Sour, bartenders Adam Stull and Ryan Koontz from Postbellum have cleverly reimagined the classic New York Sour. This innovative cocktail showcases the perfect harmony between frothed egg whites and sweet blueberry mead, resulting in a visually striking drink that’s just as impressive to behold as it is complex to taste. The natural layering of the egg white on top of the mead allows you to enjoy the light, airy texture before transitioning to the rich, fruity flavors below.
For those who prefer a more balanced flavor profile, simply stir the drink to harmonize the sweet and sour notes. A testament to the duo’s expertise, the Moonlight Sour is surprisingly easy to execute yet packs all the right punches – making it an ideal choice whether you’re whipping up a batch for one or serving a crowd at a gathering.
Honeyed Moonlight–Moonshine Manhattan
A spirit that combines the smoothness of rye whiskey with the richness of molasses, Honeyed Moonlight-Moonshine Manhattan is a unique and complex concoction. The key to its sippability lies in the harmonious union of these two distinct elements. To further enhance the floral notes, add a dash of Old Forester’s Hummingbird bitters, then top it off with a sprig of lavender for garnish.
As a result, the primary flavor profile is dominated by whiskey, making this cocktail an exemplary blend of sweet and savory.
Ransom Note
Indulge in the earthy charm of Ransom Note, a revitalizing cocktail that combines the subtleties of dry mead with the smoothness of Ransom Old Tom Gin. This unique blend is crafted by mixing Schraml or Lurgashall mead with honey, water, lemon juice, and a splash of gin in a shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake vigorously to meld the flavors together, then pour the concoction into a chilled martini glass and serve it up at your next social gathering.
Mar Cocktail
Robert R. Bowie, a renowned bartender from Washington D. C., left an indelible mark on the world of mixology. As one of the founding members of the exclusive Mixologist Club in 1889, he championed the art of mixing liquors as a respectable and lucrative profession. To honor his legacy, the club created the Mar Cocktail as a testament to Bowie’s contributions to the craft.
This iconic drink is surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring only a few key ingredients: champagne, gin, mead, lime juice, honey simple syrup, berbere seasoning, thyme, mint leaves, water, and sugar. Combine these in a shaker filled with ice cubes, then serve over more ice with two sprigs of fresh mint per glass for a refreshing garnish. Whether you’re partying with friends or seeking a satisfying sip at your favorite bar, the Mar Cocktail is sure to hit the spot.
Floralia Gimlet
Arley Marks and Torrey Bell-Edwards joined forces to create the innovative Floralia Gimlet, a cocktail that boldly combines unconventional elements and garden-fresh ingredients. The key to this unique concoction is the use of Floraia mead, produced in Brooklyn and infused with marjoram, lavender, and juniper. This refreshing drink is a true garden-to-glass experience, unlike anything you’ve ever tried before.
To craft this crisp and revitalizing cocktail, combine vodka, Floralia mead, lemon juice, yuzu juice, raw sugar simple syrup, and lemon mint in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled, then strain the mixture over fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a sprig of lemon mint to complete the experience.
Maple Harry Palmer
Indulge in the warm, comforting essence of Maple Harry Palmer, a quintessential southern cocktail that’s perfect for unwinding on a night out or cozying up at home. To craft this delightful concoction, you’ll need a combination of citrus vodka, maple syrup, sweet tea mead, and lemonade. When it comes to the lemonade, consider reducing the sugar content to balance out the natural sweetness of the maple syrup.
Alternatively, feel free to elevate your mixology skills by creating homemade lemonade using maple instead of simple syrup. Once you have all the ingredients ready, combine them in a shaker filled with ice and pour the mixture into a glass. Top it off with a slice of lemon for a refreshing and visually appealing garnish.
Thor’s Coffee
For coffee lovers, the Thor’s Coffee cocktail is a must-try creation that celebrates the godly charm of Marvel’s Thor. This innovative drink combines the sweetness of mead, the richness of Kahlúa, and the creaminess of, well, cream, with a hint of chocolate bitters. To elevate your drinking experience, simply add ice to a shaker and combine these ingredients for a frosty concoction that will transport you to Asgard.
And if you want to take it up a notch, create Mjolnir-inspired ice cubes to serve alongside this mighty cocktail. Whether you’re hosting a Viking-themed party or watching Marvel movies with friends and family, the Thor’s Coffee is sure to be a hit.
The Heimdall Cocktail
Lithuanian Beekeeper
The Lithuanian Beekeeper is another coffee cocktail that impresses with its harmonious blend of sweetness and rich coffee flavors. This concoction combines the traditional Lithuanian mead honey liqueur with coffee liqueur, resulting in a drink that can keep you energized well into the early hours. To prepare this delightful beverage, combine equal parts mead and coffee liqueur in a rocks glass filled with ice, then add a splash of double cream.
Finish by stirring the ingredients and garnishing with a sprig of fresh mint or honeycomb for added visual appeal.
The bottom line
Mead’s unique character brings depth to craft cocktails. Its versatility allows it to be a perfect fit for both sweet and spirit-forward drinks. When incorporated into a mix, mead not only adds sweetness but also lends its distinct flavor profile. Whether you’re in the mood for something sour and fruity or rich and complex, mead is an excellent addition to have at your disposal.
If you’re eager to create a refreshing drink that’s sure to please, keep reading and discover how to craft 13 quick and delicious mead-based cocktails.
