Ways to Serve Mead, Drink of Irish Kings
Honey Wine, Ancient Nectar of the Gods for All Modern Occasions
Sep 26, 2009
For all things Irish, Old World, and New Age, mead (or meade) is a cutting edge honey wine to serve at parties, holidays, and informal gatherings. Actually, mead has been an "in" drink for a very long time, as in over 1000 years. There are many artful ways to serve mead.
What is Mead?
Mead is a white wine of a rich golden color made from honey. It has been called the nectar of the gods. Mead is best known as the ancient drink of Ireland, where it was relished by the High Kings of Tara, and ever after down through medieval times, to today.
One long-held Irish tradition for mead was to start newlyweds off on the right foot. During their first 30 days of marriage, their "honeymoon," the couple should drink a cup of mead daily to ensure longevity of their marriage.
Commercial Mead is Available
One excellent label of mead in Ireland today is an Irish honey wine made in Bunratty. A version of Bunratty Mead, labeled "Bunratty Meade," is imported in the United States. It is a white wine with honey and herbs added. Though very good, it is not quite the same as the Bunratty Mead served in its home town in Ireland. This, of course, can be argued as a matter of taste. U.S. import can be served in all the same ways as its homeland sibling.
Also, several labels of honey mead are available in the U.S., some made in local regions. The basic recipe is simple and can be done at home if one finds a calling for it. To find the best ones, sampling and testing is a must. Be sure it is not a "pretender."
Mead's attractiveness comes from its tradition, simplicity, and versatility. There are many ways to serve and enjoy it.
Mead Served Hot
In Ireland, a traditional way to serve mead is hot, in earthen mugs. This hearkens back to the belief in its serving in the old times, at medieval tables to banish the damp and chill of a rainy climate. There are several ways hot mead can be served, similar to hot cider. Experiment with flavors that appeal.
- simply heated without additives; the medium but light sweetness of the wine is enhanced by the heat; serve as an aperitif;
- add cinnamon or a cinnamon stick to stir in the serving mug; excellent in cold weather toddies - add rum;
- in addition to the cinnamon stick in the mug add a small cube of raw sugar, allowing it to slowly dissolve at the bottom of the mug; those who like especially sweet heady drinks will enjoy this version; serve as a dessert drink;
- add thin half-slices of a large orange to the serving container of the heated wine to allow the orange flavoring to steep in the wine before pouring; delicious served as a hot cocktail beverage and with roast chicken or roast pork main courses.
Cold Mead Alternatives with Meals
As a light wine, mead is good served cold. Simply chill and pour straight glasses of the chilled wine from the bottle to serve with main courses. Mead compliments all meat and fowl courses, and most fish.
Some people who prefer dry white wines for fish courses may be skeptical of trying mead at first. For fish, adding a twist of lemon to the serving glasses makes it a surprising complimentary accent.
The following are some suggestions as alternative ways of serving chilled mead with various types of entrees (in addition to the fine option of serving it plain and allowing its own natural flavor to speak for itself). Served with:
- chicken, garnish the wine glass with fresh cut orange, cherry garnish or tangerine;
- lamb, garnish the wine glass with fresh lemon, or, add a sprig of mint (or both);
- pork, garnish the wine glass with fresh orange, melon, or tangerine;
- beef, garnish the wine glass with thin slice of apple or place a strawberry in the glass;
- vegetarian dishes, garnish the wine glass with a thin slice of pear or apple;
- desserts, add a teaspoon of a fruit liqueur and garnish with mint sprig or cinnamon stick.
Also, in any of the above meals, it is a dramatic and charming touch to simply put serving pitchers of mead on the table with the garnishes added in the pitchers; pour for guests hot, straight chilled or over ice.
Mead as a Cocktail or Party Wine
As already mentioned, mead does quite well standing on its own legs. Serve it hot, cold on its own, or on the rocks, with or without garnishes of choice. Its adaptability, though, makes it a creative and tasty ingredient for wine highballs, spritzers, and sangrias.
Substitute mead for recipes that call for wine for a heady punch. Add it to vodka, rum, or gin with a cocktail mix for an original mixed drink.
However you choose to serve mead as a drink, beware of this beguiling and seemingly innocent nectar of the gods. Real mead should carry 14 to 15 percent alcohol content. Add that to its honey base, and it can carry clout for the uninitiated.
Mead in Cooking
Mead can be used in cooking as well. The following are some applications that work well.
- use in basting roast fowl and pork;
- recipes calling for white wine will do well with mead;
- marinate fresh fruit;
- add to dessert sauces;
- use in salad dressings and marinating recipes.
Do not be afraid to use your imagination with this wine.
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