Juniper mead

[Danlund443]

I want to add dried juniper berries to a mead batch but I don't know when to add it in. Primary? Secondary? How long do I leave it in for? I also have dried rose petals for a different mead for aroma. Should I make a tea out if it or add the rose petals in Secondary? Probably use a wildflower honey and lalvin d47. Any advice or shared experience would be greatly appreciated thank you!

 

[loveofrose]

I use 0.5 ounces Juniper by weight per gallon in primary. After a week, I start tasting and remove when it’s slightly more potent than I would like. It mellows after bottling.

Warning: If you leave it too long, it starts to get an astringent vegetable flavor that take quite a while to age out.

 

[Danlund443]

I use 0.5 ounces Juniper by weight per gallon in primary. After a week, I start tasting and remove when it’s slightly more potent than I would like. It mellows after bottling.

Warning: If you leave it too long, it starts to get an astringent vegetable flavor that take quite a while to age out.

Thank you I'll use those measurements. What compliments juniper berries in mead well?

 

[ong]

Wow. That is a LOT of juniper. I recently did a five gallon NEIPA and used .3 oz of juniper berries in secondary for 5 days, and there is a strong (not overpowering) juniper flavor. Maybe some samples of the fruit are stronger than others?

I did lime zest with the juniper, which I really like, but I’m a big gin and tonic fan.

 

[loveofrose]

My first batch started with 2 ounce per gallon just like in smreka. THAT was a lot of Juniper.

 

[ong]

Yikes. I did a west coast IPA with about an ounce of juniper berries and needles (for 5 gallons) in secondary last year, and I considered it way too much (I was blending it with other beers at the tap).

 

[Kris e Rushlow]

Thank you I'll use those measurements. What compliments juniper berries in mead well?

Red raspberries..lavender flowers.and maple syrup..like substitute for honey about a pound..it's a sweet recipe..never has failed me..ABV between 10-14% .It's a kicker too!!..and great for use in cooking...