Has anybody used Italian style spices?

[spafmagic]

Has anyone brewed mead with basil specifically? If so, how did it taste?

I had a thought of using basil, thyme and anise as a combination for an italian themed flavor profile.

 

[bernardsmith]

Basil and thyme? Is this for a cooking wine? Anise is a great flavor in a liqueur or wine but I dunno about basil or thyme..

 

[Kickass]

I’ve used basil in a Belgian triple. It was at an admittedly small amount but I thought it played nice. I don’t know about thyme or anise. I don’t think thyme would fit and I don’t like pronounced anise but those are personal preferences.

 

[Ty520]

Basil and thyme? Is this for a cooking wine? Anise is a great flavor in a liqueur or wine but I dunno about basil or thyme..

I had a wonderful strawberry basil mead before. Basil can go well with watermelon or limes as well.

Thyme could work well with either dark fruits like cherries,blackberries or figs,or alternatively,light fruits like peach or pear.

Herbs can add a really interesting character in cocktails, and I am sure it could be pulled off with mead, but a little goes a long way. Should test a small batch to get your ratios and timings down. I would refer to cocktail recipes as a guide. Maybe even infuse your honey with it...