Hot Mead Recipe
- 1/2 cup/120 ml honey
- 1 cup/240 ml water
- 3 to 4 cloves
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 1 whole vanilla bean pod (about 3 in/7.5 cm long)
- One 1-in/2.5-cm strip orange rind
- 1 small chunk from a whole nutmeg, or 1/4 tsp ground
- 16 oz/480 ml vodka
- In a medium saucepan, bring the honey and water to a boil, skimming any foam from the surface. Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean pod, and orange rind, return to a boil, and remove from the heat. Let sit for 1 or 2 minutes, then bring to a boil again. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside for at least 30 minutes to steep. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or a regular strainer lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth, and again bring to a boil. Pour in the vodka. Stir well and serve piping hot.
