Recipe for: Cool mead with blackcurrant juice - photo 1
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Recipe for: Cool mead with blackcurrant juice

Drinks Grilling 30 min Easy 21 views ~45.80 PLN * - (0)
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Description

Cool mead with blackcurrant juice is a refreshing summer drink inspired by the Greater Poland tradition: the aroma of local honey combines with the dense, slightly tart note of blackcurrant. The drink has an intense, ruby-purple color, creamy sweetness, and pleasant acidity from lemon, making it perfect for quenching thirst on hot days and pairing well with grilled dishes, summer salads, and blue cheese. It can be quickly prepared as a honey syrup mixed with fresh or store-bought blackcurrant juice and cold sparkling water — or left a bit thicker as a dessert elixir. Qualities: fresh fruity aroma, natural sweetness of honey, striking appearance in a glass with a mint leaf.

Ingredients Used

Ingredients (6)

Servings:
4
  • Honey 200 ml
  • Black currant 400 g
  • Sparkling water 600 ml
  • Lemon 0.8 pcs (~60 g)
  • ✨ Optional
  • Ice 200 g
  • Mint 30 g
💰 Estimated dish cost: ~45.80 PLN (11.45 PLN/serving)
* Prices missing for some ingredients

💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used

Preparation steps

Preparation of honey syrup

1

Place 150 ml of cold water in a small pot and heat it over low heat to a temperature of about 35–40°C — it should feel warm to the touch, not hot; check with the inside of your wrist. Remove from heat. Pour the linden honey (200 g) into a wide bowl and add 150 ml of warm water. Stir vigorously with a spoon or whisk for 2–3 minutes until the honey is completely dissolved and a clear, flowing syrup forms.

Use a small pot and a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. If you don't have a thermometer, the water should be pleasantly warm, not causing a hot sensation on your wrist. Do not use hot water (>50°C) — it will lose the aroma of the honey.

Preparation of blackcurrant juice

2

If you are using fresh black currants: wash 500 g of currants under running cold water, drain. Place the currants in a blender and blend for 2–3 minutes until smooth. Strain the blended fruit through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing with a spoon to obtain about 400 ml of juice. If you are using 100% store-bought juice, proceed to the next step.

Ingredients: Black currant
Use a jug or hand blender, and a sieve with holes of 1–2 mm. If you don't want seeds, strain twice. Additionally, you can add a little water to the blender to make blending easier.

Mixing and seasoning

3

Pour the prepared honey syrup into a large pitcher. Add 400 ml of blackcurrant juice and the juice of half a lemon (about 60 g of lemon - squeeze without seeds). Stir with a spoon for 30–45 seconds, check the taste: the drink should have a distinct sweetness from the honey and a slight acidity from the blackcurrant. If it is too thick or sweet, add up to 50–100 ml of cold sparkling water and stir again.

Ingredients: Black currant, Lemon
Use a large glass pitcher (1.5–2 l). For squeezing the lemon, it's best to use a small hand juicer or a fork and a strainer to catch the seeds.

Cooling

4

Chill the pitcher with the drink in the refrigerator for at least 20–30 minutes until it is noticeably cold. If you're in a hurry, fill tall glasses with ice cubes (200 g in total) and serve immediately — the drink will be instantly cold, but it will dilute slightly.

Ingredients: Ice
Use the refrigerator or a large bowl with ice on the balcony. If you plan to store it for a longer time, cover the pitcher with plastic wrap.

Serving

5

Pour the honey-currant drink into tall glasses, leaving some space at the top for the fizzy bubbles. Add a few ice cubes, garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon on the rim of the glass. Serve chilled, with a long spoon for stirring.

Ingredients: mint, Lemon, Ice
The best are highball glasses (about 300–400 ml) or mason jars. Additionally, you can add more mint leaves for a more intense aroma.

Fun Fact

💡

Greater Poland has a long beekeeping tradition; mead was once a popular household drink, served both daily and at celebrations. The combination of honey with forest fruits and berries is a natural extension of this tradition.

Best for

letnie grillowanie piknik podwieczorek na tarasie

Tips

🍽️ Serving

Serve very cold in thick glass cups or in a clear pitcher to highlight the color. For a non-alcoholic version, maintain the proportions; for a slightly 'stronger' version, you can add 50–100 ml of light honey wine or cider just before serving.

🥡 Storage

Store in the refrigerator in a closed pitcher for up to 48 hours. Before serving, mix well, as natural sediment from the currants may settle at the bottom. Do not freeze the prepared drink (the glass may break).

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