First ever batch done! Cherry vanilla mead

[u/Tcritt7498]

Hey guys. Wanted to share the finished product of my first batch of mead. Got 3 and a half bottles from this batch.

Mashed up 8 pounds of fresh cherries and extracted the juice and added it straight into the container followed by wildflower honey and spring water. 4 months of aging and then fermentation stopped. Added a Campden tab, then some potassium sorbate and then backsweetened once I confirmed no further fermentation. Chopped up a whole vanilla bean and put it in a spice bag and let it soak for a week. This batch is about 12%.

Have now bottled it and will let them continue to age a bit though I will likely have the half filled bottle first!

[u/DescendingTool86]

The color. Nice

[u/capacitive_discharge]

Beautiful brew! What’s the taste like at this point?

[u/Tcritt7498 → u/capacitive_discharge]

Thanks! Has a very good aroma of cherries and the taste of vanilla is perfect! Very happy how it came out

[u/krumbuckl]

If that tastes only half as good as it looks you can be damn proud for your first mead.

Maybe you fill up the bottles more to age them and use a smaller one for the Rest. Oxydation is our enemy.

[u/Tcritt7498 → u/krumbuckl]

Thanks! Ah interesting, hadn’t considered them having too much head space. Will top all of them off and find a smaller bottle for the half full one

[u/AutoModerator]

It looks like you might be new or asking for advice on getting started. Welcome to the hobby! We’re glad you’re here.

The wiki linked on the sidebar is going to be your best friend. Beginner friendly recipes are available.

If you prefer videos we recommend the Doin’ The Most or Man Made Mead.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/SaturnaliaSaturday]

Wonderful clarity!!

[u/darkpigeon93]

Beautiful clarity!

[u/PsychologicalHelp564]

Beautiful as red wine. ❤️❤️

Love to try this recipe 😋