29/11/2018
World's oldest alcoholic drink making a trendy comeback
Mead — the world's oldest alcoholic drink — is fast becoming the new drink of choice for experimental co*cktail lovers.
English Heritage sells more mead in the UK than anyone else. The world’s oldest alcoholic drink is making a comeback, and new figures show that English Heritage sells a bottle of the ancient drink every 10 minutes.
The drink is now hot on the heels of its younger and hipper cousin— gin —as sales increased by an average of 10 per cent year on year for the past three years.
As the UK’s largest retailer of mead, English Heritage will be offering free tasting samples of the drink atEnchanted eventsthis winter. Come along to enjoy our illuminated gardens with an ancient winter warmer.
Viking vice to trendy tipple
Dating back thousands of years, mead is an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits or spices. It was once thought to be the drink of the gods, falling from the Heavens as dew and then gathered by bees.
Mead was also believed to improve health and prolong life. There is also a theory that mead was given to newlyweds to enjoy in the time after their marriage, creating the term 'honeymoon'.
Once the Vikings’ drink of choice, mead now has a new and growing following who are putting a modern twist on the historical classic. Far from the flagons of old, modern mead drinkers enjoy the 9000-year-old beverage served over ice in co*cktail glasses.
To celebrate the revival of this golden brew, English Heritage has collaborated with The Vanguard — the UK’s first co*cktail Bar & Meadery — to create three new mead co*cktails. See the recipes below to try them for yourself this Christmas.
Historical throwback with the modern twist
With his meadery opening earlier this year, Samuel Boulton, Managing Director at The Vanguard in Birmingham, has seen mead taking off with a younger generation:
'As one of the world’s oldest alcoholic drinks, mead has sometimes had quite an old world reputation, but we’ve seen that dramatically change over the last five years. With the success of Game of Thrones, as well as the rise in popularity of experimental co*cktails, you could definitely call mead the new up and coming drink and our customers really enjoy that historical throwback with the modern twist.'
Cameron Moffett, English Heritage Collections Curator, said:
'There’s evidence of mead being consumed thousands of years ago and it was the power drink of ancient Europe before winemaking had developed. New research into English Heritage’s collections from Wroxeter and Hadrian’s Wall shows that mead was being made in the Roman period in Britain. Once wine started being imported honey was also used to make mulsum, a popular sweetened wine drink. We’ve also found evidence of mead being produced and stored at Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, in the 5th and 6th centuries AD for use in great feasting events. It’s wonderful that this very old drink is now being discovered by a whole new generation.'
Try it yourself - Mead co*cktails to make at home
Try creating your very own co*cktail at home this Christmas, with these exclusive mead co*cktail recipes from English Heritage and The Vanguard.
Honeyed Gin Old Fashioned
You will need:
- 50ml Cotswold Distillery 1616 Aged Gin
- 50ml Heritage Mead
- 1/2 tsp caster sugar (or 10ml sugar syrup)
Add all ingredients to a short glass with ice and stir until sugar is dissolved, adding more sugar to taste if needed. Garnish with some orange zest.
Monks’ Fizz
You will need:
- 40mlHeritage Mead
- 40ml fresh squeezed orange juice
- 75ml English sparkling wine
Add ingredients to a champagne coupe glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Ye Olde Hot Tod
You will need:
- 50mlHeritage Mead
- 75ml hot water
- 10ml whisky
- 1 tsp runny honey
- 3 tsp lemon juice
Add all ingredients to a warm glass mug mixed until honey is dissolved and garnish with Star Anise & Cinnamon.
Prefer your mead pure and simple? Swap your usual dessert wine for a glass of mead to accompany Christmas pudding and mince pies.
Browse our range of history-inspired meads and wines in our online shop.
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I've spent a substantial amount of time diving into the fascinating world of historical beverages, and mead is truly a standout within that realm. The resurgence of mead in modern times isn't just a passing trend; it's a reflection of a beverage that has a deep-rooted history, spanning millennia. The information provided in that article about the resurgence of mead aligns well with the knowledge I've gathered.
Mead, often dubbed the oldest alcoholic drink known to humanity, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It's crafted through the fermentation of honey with water, sometimes incorporating fruits or spices for added flavors. This golden elixir isn't merely an ancient beverage; it was revered in various cultures. For instance, it was considered the nectar of the gods in some mythologies, and the concept of a "honeymoon" might even have roots in the tradition of gifting mead to newlyweds.
The piece you mentioned touches upon English Heritage's involvement in promoting and selling mead, indicating its increasing popularity, especially compared to gin in recent years. Additionally, the collaboration between English Heritage and The Vanguard, a co*cktail Bar & Meadery, is a testament to the innovation in reviving this historical drink by infusing it into modern mixology.
The article further emphasizes the historical significance of mead, showcasing evidence of its consumption in ancient Europe, its presence during the Roman period in Britain, and its role in grand feasting events at places like Tintagel Castle. This historical grounding solidifies mead's place as a symbol of tradition and celebration.
Moreover, the provided co*cktail recipes featuring mead demonstrate its versatility in contemporary mixology, offering a glimpse into how this ancient beverage has adapted to suit modern tastes. The recipes, like the Honeyed Gin Old Fashioned, Monks’ Fizz, and Ye Olde Hot Tod, showcase the integration of mead into popular co*cktail culture.
This resurgence isn't just a fad; it's a cultural reclamation of an ancient libation that's finding new life through innovative reinterpretations and a growing appreciation for historical authenticity.
