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Gosnells Sparkling Mead for Sharing:
Mead is probably the worlds oldest alcoholic drink. Once honey was discovered it would have been actively sought after – one of the rarest naturally occurring sweet substances. Honey that is dilute and exposed to wild yeast will ferment into a smooth drink, and it is possible that our ancestors first discovered this by coming across a beehive that had become exposed to rain.
As long ago as 7000BC, the Chinese were making mead by mixing water and honey with fruits, spices and grains. This gives each mead a specific flavour and sweetness, but the defining characteristics of all mead is that the main source of its fermentable sugar comes from the honey.
The ancient Greeks called Mead “Ambrosia” or “nectar”, and when people discuss the ambrosia of the gods, they are discussing mead.
Gosnells is the only London mead maker and with the launch of its new sparkling mead for sharing, it is gaining recognition in both the UK and across the globe.
Most of the honey used in producing the Gosnells sparkling mead comes from Spanish orange groves, giving the mead a softness like sourdough with an edge of gentle citrus. The mead is lighter in colour and less alcoholic than most as it uses no barley or other cereals to bulk it out.
The 75cl bottle of sparkling mead is perfect to drink on its own, and at 5.5% alcohol, it is both light and exciting. It can also work well with vegetarian food, white meats, fish and creamy cheeses.
You can also make great cocktails with it and two are listed here. Neither of these requires a cocktail shaker so the drink goes from bottle to glass to mouth. Perfect.
- 50 ml Vermouth
- 25 ml Gin
- 50 ml Topped with mead.
- Orange peel
- Build in glass,
- Add ice,
- Add Vermouth and Gin,
- Top off with mead,
- Spritz orange feel and garnish
- Fresh ginger
- Fresh lime
- 25 ml Rum
- Topped with mead.
- Lime wedge
- Build in glass,
- Muddle fresh ginger and lime,
- Add rum,
- Add ice,
- Top off with mead,
- Garnish with a lime wedge
- Add straw
Gosnells Mead can be obtained from Oddbins, Borough Wines, Whole Foods, Butlers Wine Cellar or direct from the Gosnell’s Meadery.
Meanwhile, there are plenty more ideas for Christmas cocktails including this delicious Blood Orange Liqueur cocktail from Solerno, this classic French 75 gin spritz and this delicious mulled spiced cider with St-Germain
I love mead but I’ve yet to try sparkling mead yum.