• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Nutrition
  • Recipes
  • Stories
  • About Us
  • Subscribe

Blend of Bites

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Nutrition
  • Recipes
  • Stories
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Follow us

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
    • Stories
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
  • Follow us

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Vikings Blood Mead Recipe: Get Your Battle-ready Buzz

    Posted: Mar 30, 2023 · Last updated: Mar 30, 2023 · by Shai Cohen · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Have you ever wondered what the world's oldest fermented drink is? Well, it is Vikings blood mead, also known as the drink of the gods, and it dates back to long before fermented beverages made from fruits or vines.

    This invigorating drink not only has many beneficial effects but is also an absolute delight for the taste buds. Made with honey, berries, and hibiscus, this copycat Vikings blood mead offers a wealthy and intricate flavor profile, complemented by its vibrant red, deep color.

    The delicious Scandinavian-inspired mead can give you a lively and euphoric state of mind and is a delight for the senses!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Pro Tips
    • Vikings Blood Mead Recipe
    • Comments

    Recommended

    America's Best Meal Kits Essential Supplements after Gallbladder Removal

    Ingredients

    • Water — 1 ½ gallons.
    • Hibiscus — ½ cup.
    • Honey — 4 cups.
    • Frozen strawberries — 4 cups.
    • Frozen blackberries — 4 cups.
    • Wine yeast — 1 package, or 2 ¼ tsp.
    A glass of Vikings blood mead recipe
    A glass of Vikings blood mead

    Instructions

    1. Start by preparing the hibiscus infusion. Combine the dried hibiscus and 1 gallon of water in a large pot.
    1. Bring the pot to a boil, then turn off the heat and steep the hibiscus for 30 minutes.
    1. Meanwhile, combine the honey with 1 gallon of water in the fermentation vessel.
    1. Add the frozen strawberries and blackberries and stir.
    1. Use a strainer to filtrate the hibiscus tea.
    1. Pour the hibiscus tea over the berry honey mixture, stirring intensely.
    1. Add the wine yeast and stir well.
    1. Once the fermenting vessel is prepared, attach the airlock and allow the mead to ferment for 2-4 weeks or until fermentation has stopped.
    1. To ensure optimal yeast activity and achieve the desired flavor profile of the mead, it's essential to keep the temperature of the fermentation vessel within the range of 60-70°F (15-21°C) throughout the fermentation process. The temperature has a striking effect on both the yeast activity and the ultimate flavor profile of the mead.

    Substitutions

    • Honey — Honey is a key ingredient when making mead, offering a distinctly sweet flavor. It is not advisable to replace it entirely, but some of the quantity may be replaced with alternatives like agave or maple syrup.
    • Frozen strawberries — Frozen strawberries add a fruity and fresh flavor to mead. An alternative to frozen strawberries is to use fresh ones. Another similar option is strawberry puree. If you’re willing to experiment with different flavors, use frozen raspberries, frozen blueberries, or a mix of frozen berries.
    • Frozen blackberries — Frozen blackberries beautifully pair with frozen blueberries to achieve and enhance the beautiful and vibrant color. If you plan to replace the frozen blackberries, consider the same replacement advice given for strawberries (use fresh blackberries or blackberry puree). Use mixed frozen berries or double the frozen strawberries quantity as an alternative.
    • Hibiscus — Hibiscus has a pleasant taste and a unique flavor and combines perfectly with honey and berries. You can use dried rose hips or elderflowers to provide a tangy, fruity flavor similar to hibiscus.

    Variations

    • Add color — To add more color to your mead, add fresh herbs when serving it. A few thyme, rosemary, or sage springs will complement the mead nicely.
    • Add flavor — To give your mead a warm spicy flavor, add ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
    • Add fizziness — If you enjoy carbonated drinks, you can carbonate your mead using a soda siphon, if available.
    Delicious homemade Vikings blood mead
    Delicious homemade Vikings blood mead

    Equipment

    • Measuring spoons and cups.
    • Large pot.
    • Strainer.
    • Fermenting vessel.
    • Airlock.

    Storage

    • To prevent spoilage and losing flavor, keeping the mead in a cool and dark place, away from direct sunlight, is vital.
    • Keep the mead at a consistent temperature to avoid fluctuations and preserve the quality. Temperature between 55-65°F is ideal.

    Pro Tips

    • For a delightful serving experience, chill the Viking’s blood mead before enjoying it.
    • Sanitizing all equipment and surfaces that will come into contact with the must or mead is crucial to avoid contamination by bacteria or other microbes that may spoil the batch.
    • To enhance the overall quality of the final product, it is advisable to transfer the mead to a secondary fermentation vessel and let it age for several months once the fermentation process has ended. Allowing this time for the flavors to develop and the mead to clarify can be beneficial.
    • It is ideal to oxygenate the must before beginning the fermentation process for adequate fermentation and promoting yeast growth. An effective way to introduce oxygen into the must is by vigorously stirring it with a spoon or paddle for a few minutes.
    • Depending on the starting gravity of the must (the mixture of honey, fruit, and water), it may be necessary to adjust the amount of yeast used. In the case of higher gravity, more yeast might be needed to achieve proper fermentation.
    One glass of Vikings blood mead

    Vikings Blood Mead Recipe

    Craft your own authentic Vikings blood mead recipe! Experience the bold flavors of history in every sip.
    5 from 104 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine International
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 763 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring spoons and cups
    • Large pot
    • Strainer
    • Fermenting vessel
    • Airtight container

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ gallons water
    • ½ cup hibiscus
    • 4 cups honey
    • 4 cups frozen strawberries
    • 4 cups frozen blackberries
    • 1 package wine yeast or 2 ¼ tsp.

    Instructions
     

    • Start by preparing the hibiscus infusion. Combine the dried hibiscus and 1 gallon of water in a large pot.
    • Bring the pot to a boil, then turn off the heat and steep the hibiscus for 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, combine the honey with 1 gallon of water in the fermentation vessel.
    • Add the frozen strawberries and blackberries and stir.
    • Use a strainer to filtrate the hibiscus tea.
    • Pour the hibiscus tea over the berry honey mixture, stirring intensely.
    • Add the wine yeast and stir well.
    • Once the fermenting vessel is prepared, attach the airlock and allow the mead to ferment for 2-4 weeks or until fermentation has stopped.
    • To ensure optimal yeast activity and achieve the desired flavor profile of the mead, it's essential to keep the temperature of the fermentation vessel within the range of 60-70°F (15-21°C) throughout the fermentation process. The temperature has a striking effect on both the yeast activity and the ultimate flavor profile of the mead.

    Video

    Notes

    • For a delightful serving experience, chill the Viking’s blood mead before enjoying it.
     
    • Sanitizing all equipment and surfaces that will come into contact with the must or mead is crucial to avoid contamination by bacteria or other microbes that may spoil the batch.
     
    • To enhance the overall quality of the final product, it is advisable to transfer the mead to a secondary fermentation vessel and let it age for several months once the fermentation process has ended. Allowing this time for the flavors to develop and the mead to clarify can be beneficial.
     
    • It is ideal to oxygenate the must before beginning the fermentation process for adequate fermentation and promoting yeast growth. An effective way to introduce oxygen into the must is by vigorously stirring it with a spoon or paddle for a few minutes.
     
    • Depending on the starting gravity of the must (the mixture of honey, fruit, and water), it may be necessary to adjust the amount of yeast used. In the case of higher gravity, more yeast might be needed to achieve proper fermentation.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vikings Blood Mead Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    763
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.04
    g
    0
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.1
    g
    Sodium
     
    60
    mg
    3
    %
    Potassium
     
    435
    mg
    12
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    203
    g
    68
    %
    Fiber
     
    8
    g
    33
    %
    Sugar
     
    195
    g
    217
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    275
    IU
    6
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    78
    mg
    95
    %
    Calcium
     
    87
    mg
    9
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Bloody delicious Viking blood mead recipe, Viking blood hibiscus mead recipe, Viking blood version 2.0
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Recommended

    America's Best Meal Kits Essential Supplements after Gallbladder Removal

    Read More

    • Pimento cheese and bacon mini cheese ball bites, ready to serve
      Pimento Cheese & Bacon Mini Cheese Ball Bites Recipe for Christmas
    • Firecrackers snack, ready to serve
      Savory and Spicy Firecracker Snack Recipe for Christmas
    • Pumpkin pie martini, ready to serve
      Ultimate Pumpkin Pie Martini Recipe for Christmas
    • Polish Christmas cheesecake, ready to serve
      Authentic Polish Christmas Cheesecake (Sernik) Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Post Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Follow, Engage, Enjoy!

    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    Shai Cohen portrait

    Shai Cohen

    Blending the lessons of global culinary classes with a passion for nutritious eating, Shai Cohen offers readers a blend of delectable recipes and invaluable health articles. Here, the love of food and well-being dance together.

    More about Shai Cohen →

    Footer

    ↑ Back to top

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe

    About

    • About Us
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Cookie Policy
    • Acceptable Use Policy
    • Sitemap

    Contact

    • Contact Us
    • DSAR form

    By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used.

    Blend of Bites' content is for informational and educational purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

    We earn fees through links to affiliate advertising program sites. We also generate income via ads.


    Copyright © 2022 Blend of Bites