Session Cyser

[BoozeMedic]

I'm looking for a decent recipe for five gallons of a 5-8% cyser, ideally with equal flavor contributions from both the cider and the honey.
I'll probably add fall spices to the mix (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, the usual).
Reason: I don't really care about the ABV so much. But I've been voluntold to make a beer and a mead for an advanced Thanksgiving get together in a little over two weeks, so I've got a timeframe that doesn't allow for any real aging or long fermentation for the mead. Plus I'm going to keg it and (ideally) expect it to not last the evening.
Please and thank you!

 

[Seamonkey84]

Cider by itself will usually be in the 5-6% range. So you’d have to water down cider to mix in some honey to keep it low gravity start. Or are you referring to adding apple chunks to a mead?

 

[Maylar]

Yeah, probably better to just do cider and sweeten it at the end with honey. I've made cysers with enough honey to equal the cider's gravity (13% abv total) and still not be able to taste any honey.

 

[madscientist451]

You can throw something together in 2 weeks, but if you expect it to be above average, you'll be disappointed.
I've been making cider and mead for more than 15 years and have never had anything decent to drink in 2 weeks.
I'm not saying it can't be done, and everyone has different taste, so maybe it will work for you and you should go for it, but also have a backup beverage in case its just not ready yet.
I'd go with a UK ale yeast, only add a small amount of honey, to bring the ABV to about 6%. Ferment for a week, cold crash for a week and hope for the best.
A little cinnamon goes a long way, I've found the best method with spices is to make a tincture with vodka and then do some tasting trials at kegging to see how much to add. Put the spices in the vodka now (individually not all together) and in 2 weeks they'll be ready to blend.

 

[TandemTails]

1lb of honey in a gallon of cider will get you about 8.5% abv. If you're wanting something a little lower, just add 12oz of honey or so per gallon and you should be good to go.

 

[Maylar]

1lb of honey in a gallon of cider will get you about 8.5% abv. If you're wanting something a little lower, just add 12oz of honey or so per gallon and you should be good to go.

A pound will give you about 1.085 OG. 1.050 from the cider plus .035 from the honey. That's more like 11%.

 

[TandemTails]

A pound will give you about 1.085 OG. 1.050 from the cider plus .035 from the honey. That's more like 11%.

You're right. for some reason my beersmith was calculating a high FG.