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Hidromel (mead) is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey diluted in water, with most of its sugars coming from the honey. It is considered one of the oldest fermented drinks known to humanity. The traditional version uses only water, honey and yeast, but it can be flavoured with fruit, spices or plants.
Origin and history
The oldest traces of fermented honey drinks are about nine thousand years old and come from Neolithic China, where honey was fermented with rice and fruit. Mead has crossed cultures and eras: it was highly prized in northern Europe, where it entered Norse mythology, and it appears in traditions on several continents.
In Portugal, production is small and artisanal, often linked to beekeepers and distillers in mountain regions, where there is quality honey and fermentation know-how.
How it is made
Honey is dissolved in water and the mixture, called the must, receives yeasts that turn the sugars into alcohol. Fermentation can last weeks or months, and the mead is then clarified and left to rest. Alcohol content varies greatly with the recipe: it can be close to that of a wine or higher.
The type of honey defines the character of the drink. A dark, intense honey gives a more complex mead; a light honey gives a lighter drink. Styles range from traditional mead, with honey only, to versions with fruit, herbs or spices.
Where it comes from
The mead sold by Ra-Ro comes from Covilhã, in Serra da Estrela, and is made by Zimbro Licores Serrano, founded by Artur Aleixo. The house began in the late 1980s, recreating drinks with plants and fruits from the mountain, and uses old copper stills combined with modern techniques. The honey is amber heather honey from Serra da Estrela.
How to drink it
Mead can be served chilled, as an aperitif, or at room temperature, with cheese and desserts. Because it comes from honey, it has floral, sweet aromas that vary with the plant the nectar comes from. It is a drink to sip slowly.
Where to buy
At Ra-Ro you can buy the Traditional Mead by Zimbro Licores Serrano, made with heather honey from Serra da Estrela. From the same house, see also the Elderflower Liqueur. If you like honey with character, discover the Algarve’s bitter honey.
Frequently asked questions
What is hidromel?
It is mead: an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water, with most of its sugars coming from the honey. It is one of the oldest fermented drinks in the world.
Is there Portuguese mead?
Yes. There are small artisan producers, such as Zimbro Licores Serrano in Covilhã, which makes mead with heather honey from Serra da Estrela.
Where can I buy mead in Portugal?
From artisan producers or online at Ra-Ro, which sells the Traditional Mead by Zimbro Licores Serrano.
