Light Lemonade Mead

[dnull1337]

Just got a 3 gallon batch of this going, had an OG of 1.054 because I scaled it down thinking the recipe was a 5 gallon batch, when it's really 4. It's been almost 24 hours and I have krausen, but don't see any airlock activity. I did rehydrate the yeast according to Lavin's directions (but contrary to the recipe), but I can't imagine that would make things worse. I used Fermax as the yeast nutrient, but I'm guessing that should be fine. I'll take a gravity reading tomorrow to confirm that something is going on.

 

[BrewerBear]

This stuff is fantastic. Getting ready to start a batch half lemonade and half pink lemonade, we'll see how it turns out.

 

[BrewerBear]

Just got a 3 gallon batch of this going, had an OG of 1.054 because I scaled it down thinking the recipe was a 5 gallon batch, when it's really 4. It's been almost 24 hours and I have krausen, but don't see any airlock activity. I did rehydrate the yeast according to Lavin's directions (but contrary to the recipe), but I can't imagine that would make things worse. I used Fermax as the yeast nutrient, but I'm guessing that should be fine. I'll take a gravity reading tomorrow to confirm that something is going on.

Do not worry about no air lock activity, you have krausen, that means it is fermenting.

 

[TheModestMeader]

I started a 12L batch on this on the 12th but using pink lemonade. The OG was 1.080 and today its at 1.041 and pretty tastey. Im new to this homemade fermentation so i couldn't say if it was "yeasty" still or not. I can't wait for this stuff to finish!

 

[dnull1337]

I'm 4 weeks in on my 3 gallon batch, just took a sample and it's at 1.028, and still has very noticeable honey flavor. Should I pitch some more yeast, or just give it more time? The temperature has been in the low to high 60s in the fermentation room, so I guess it won't be fermenting as quick as the OP.

 

[bryank]

Did anyone else think halls cough drops when they tasted the must? Does the lemon come through more after fermentation?

 

[BrewerBear]

Did anyone else think halls cough drops when they tasted the must? Does the lemon come through more after fermentation?

How long has it been fermenting? MIne tast great.

 

[bryank]

I'm sure it will attenuate out to be nice and dry. Its just hard to imagine honey lemon in a refreshing way for me. Air lock activity stopped last weekend most likely. Haven't been home all week but it should be clear by the time I get home this weekend so I can drink/bottle I would imagine.

 

[dzzavid]

Hey guys this is my first mead, with the recipe has any one aerated the mead the first 3-4 days, or do you just let 'er sit.

 

[BrewerBear]

i just let it sit and it came out fine.

 

[dzzavid]

i just let it sit and it came out fine.

Thank you much, now i just need to get a few more carboys and have a few batches going at once.

 

[BrewerBear]

once you try it you will really think that

 

[Brew_Vet]

Have been following this recipe for a few weeks s this sounded perfect for the summer. Purchased 10 pounds of Kirkland honey a few days ago and decided today was the day to give it a try.

10 Pounds Kirkland brand honey
4 12oz. cans minute maid premium lemonade
5 gallons spring water
5 tsp yeast nutrient

Followed the recipe except for substituting the corn sugar for 5 lbs. honey

Put all the ingredients in my 6.5 gallon carboy.

OG 1.060
Initial temp in carboy 83 degrees

Started fermenting within 10 minutes, never seen any recipe start fermenting this quick, is this normal?


Anyways the sample tasted great, a little sweet but I am sure my yeasty friends will take care of someone that

 

[rodd]

I threw a batch of this together Feb 1 this year. My first mead. It has been sitting in the primary until tonight. I transferred it to keg, and have to say, I am pleased.
I dropped 5 oz of corn sugar, because I was one packet of priming sugar short, and substituted one can of lemonade with limeade. OG was still pretty solid at 1.072. Tonight, it weighed in at .992.
I was impressed with how well it cleared. I can definitely pick up alcohol in it, but I wouldn't guess 10+%, and it tastes like a hard sprite.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I haven't posted in quite some time, but I'm happy that you guys have been having great successes with this recipe...except for that one guy (sorry).

Here's another idea I came up with since posting the recipe:

Make limeade ice cubes and add it to the glass. I like the contrast of a green ice cube floating in my pale lemonade.

Of course, you can always add a yellow one to it too.

 

[BrewerBear]

Decided against half and half. made 6 gallons lemonade and 6 gallons pink lemonade. 1 week in so far.

 

[rtbx15]

I made a 1 gallon batch of this recipe and cannot believe how fast it went. My family and friends are begging for me to make more.....it was VERY good...

 

[Brew_Vet]

Just put mine in the secondary after two weeks of active fermentation.

F.G. 1.000

Nice light lemonade flavor and a bit of a kick

I am going to secondary it for a week or so and then bottle.

 

[bryank]

Welp, I put it in the bottle today. It turned out nice. I wish that I would have added another can of lemonade though (I mix my lemonade strong) anyhow here's what I did:

3/3/12
3.75# Michigan wildflower honey
1# corn sugar
3 cans lemonade
3 gal water
Yeast nutrient
A pinch of energizer
Pectin enzyme
71B-1122
1.064 og

4/28/12
.992 fg

It's very dry and has a lemon in the background taste.

 

[Helly]

I started a 1 gallon batch of this today. I used 1 lb clover honey, 1 cup sugar, 1 can frozen lemonade thawed out, and Lalvin D47. Excited to see how it turns out.

 

[BrewerBear]

I started a 1 gallon batch of this today. I used 1 lb clover honey, 1 cup sugar, 1 can frozen lemonade thawed out, and Lalvin D47. Excited to see how it turns out.

it won't last long is my guess.

 

[Mitch311]

Can you guys detail what a "can of lemonade" is? We have nothing equivalent in Australian that I know of?

Same we don't have cans of apple concentrate

 

[BrewerBear]

Can you guys detail what a "can of lemonade" is? We have nothing equivalent in Australian that I know of?

Same we don't have cans of apple concentrate

It is frozen concentrate. You mix it with water to a certain amount and you have juice. What kind of juice mix do you have. hose

 

[Mitch311]

We generally have cordial, you can get some cold fruit drink concentrates that are designed to be mixed. But they generally don't taste great. Usually they are only orange or orange & mango. Might have to have a better look round the supermarket next time I'm there.

Otherwise all our juice comes ready to drink. Most of it is reconstituted though Cheapest freshly processed apple juice I have come across so far is $5/L

 

[underdogadam]

made this exactly, and added 6# of strawberry puree when Ralphs had strawberries for $1/#. honestly drank a third of it straight from the carboy. well, SWMBO did...

Making my second one of this tonight, same recipe, but this week Ralphs had raspberry pints for $1. adding 5# of raspberry puree into it. just hope it lasts long enough to go into bottles so i can make some sparkling.

great recipe!

 

[Helly]

Mine has been going for about 5 weeks. It's starting to clear. Just tasted it before racking to secondary. Wow! This is going to be good. My only question is whether to start one more gallon or five more gallons today.

 

[BrewerBear]

Mine has been going for about 5 weeks. It's starting to clear. Just tasted it before racking to secondary. Wow! This is going to be good. My only question is whether to start one more gallon or five more gallons today.

I would do 5. 1 will not last long.

 

[Meadrol]

Wow, I'm confused. I just read a BUNCH of posts that talk about D47 producing a ton of fusels if it gets above 68 degrees but no one here seems to be having that trouble...I wonder why? The hell with it, I'm trying this. I am so TIRED of people whining that they can't drink my meads right away...so this should put a stop to that quicklike

 

[Helly]

Let's just say that hypothetically I made a 5 gallon batch but wasn't thinking straight and put twice as much sugar in as I should have. Tying to figure out what will happen. Yeast chokes out before it gets to the honey maybe? Or will it ferment ok and just end up really strong? Hypothetically I used 5 cans lemonade, 5.5 lbs honey, and 5 lb sugar (which should have been 5 cups). It's bubbling and making some noise 24 hours later.

 

[BrewerBear]

It will be higher alcohol content and will need more to mellow out for better taste.