Inside the Formula: Mead Seltzer

First thing’s first. We know there isn’t an official TTB classification or defined beverage type for “mead seltzer.”

However, the term is being used as a consumer-friendly marketing term to describe a low-ABV mead that is carbonated and designed to share shelf space with the Trulys, White Claws and High Noons of the world.

We formulated a mead seltzer because there is ample confusion in the marketplace about mead’s potential to expand into other alcohol categories. Mead doesn’t have to be sweet, nor does it have to be served still and confined to a wine bottle.

Mead can be many things, and we think the biggest potential of this ancient beverage comes in a new format. That makes sense, considering that the newstalgia phenomenon is all the rage with a growing number of consumers who crave traditional products with a modern, innovative spin.

What’s more newstalgic than an ancient alcoholic beverage reconceived as a low-ABV, bubbly and highly drinkable clean ferment of honey and water? Before getting into the details of the formulation, let’s take a step back and define what mead is and why it makes a great platform for innovation.

What Is Mead?

Mead is an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, much as wine is made by fermenting grapes. Traditional mead is very similar to wine, consumed still with an ABV ranging from 11-15%, and with sweetness levels spanning dry to sweet. It can range from dry to sweet, still to sparkling, and low to high in alcohol. The flavor of mead is shaped by the honey varietal used, fermentation process and additions such as fruit, spices, herbs or hops.

Mead has experienced a renaissance (pun intended) in the last five years, gaining shelf space in liquor stores and slots at cocktail bars across the United States. Although the growth has been slow and steady, it’s never been easier to buy mead than it is today. The biggest challenge is that mead remains unfamiliar to many consumers.

What Is a Mead Seltzer?

A mead seltzer is an alcoholic beverage that combines the traditional taste of honey wine with the bright carbonation of a seltzer. When we formulated our mead seltzer, we used these guidelines:

• The product had to be a 100% honey ferment.

• The beverage needed to be carbonated

• The ABV had to be below 6%

By keeping to these specs, we created a semi-sweet mead base that we could then use natural flavors to expand into a complete line of mead seltzers. We chose a cherry flavor for this formula.

Ride the Wave of Honey’s Popularity

When making a mead seltzer, the major decision is whether to make your own base mead, or purchase one from a contract meadery. There are pros and cons to each method, but at the onset, it makes sense to rely on a meadery to provide a base alcoholic beverage. This minimizes risk and ensures you’re using a high-quality mead from an experienced producer.

Consumers love honey, so it makes sense that a honey fermented beverage with a low ABV has the potential to make a big splash with consumers. If you would like the full formula and processing notes, email [email protected] and speak to an expert about how to go-to-market with this type of new product.