Learn to Brew ‘History’s Oldest Drink’

Mead, the fermented honey drink that is said to be the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, has suddenly become new again. It has caught the interest of craft brewers, both commercial and kitchen-table, and a new comprehensive book defines it along with more than a dozen variants. There’s a simple recipe for would-be home brewers, and sections about bees and honey, fermentation techniques and the necessary brewing equipment. The book details the history of mead among Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Russians, Ethiopians, the English, the Polish and Americans, with accompanying recipes from those cultures. Two cocktails put it to good use: a simple mix of mead, Irish whiskey and yellow Chartreuse, and another with Scotch, mead and bitters. “Mead: The Libations, Legends and Lore of History’s Oldest Drink”by Fred Minnick (Running Press, $25).

Posted 5:50 p.m. Aug 7, 2018 — Updated 5:50 p.m. Aug 7, 2018

By

Florence Fabricant

, New York Times

Mead, the fermented honey drink that is said to be the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, has suddenly become new again. It has caught the interest of craft brewers, both commercial and kitchen-table, and a new comprehensive book defines it along with more than a dozen variants. There’s a simple recipe for would-be home brewers, and sections about bees and honey, fermentation techniques and the necessary brewing equipment. The book details the history of mead among Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Russians, Ethiopians, the English, the Polish and Americans, with accompanying recipes from those cultures. Two cocktails put it to good use: a simple mix of mead, Irish whiskey and yellow Chartreuse, and another with Scotch, mead and bitters. “Mead: The Libations, Legends and Lore of History’s Oldest Drink”by Fred Minnick (Running Press, $25).

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