Miód Highball
Konik’s Tail Vodka, Mead, Honey, Aromatic Bitters, Soda
I don’t think mead gets the attention it rightly deserves; it is a wonderful ingredient and drink in its own right. It is something that is not widely consumed or heard of in the UK, but thankfully, in part due to the burgeoning craft brewing movement, mead is making a overdue comeback. It has a long heritage in Britain, fermenting honey, water, herbs, hops and fruit has been a popular intoxicant since pagan times. Whilst beer was used for everyday consumption (far safer than drinking water), Mead was reserved for special occasions and weddings – at which the bride and groom would drink lots of mead - where we now get the term ‘Honeymoon’ from. Britain shares this long-lasting love affair with Poland, where the primeval forests where ideal place for beekeeping and the production of honey - the climate was ill-suited for wine production meant that Mead was far more popular before Vodka became the national drink. Unsurprisingly these two ingredients are a perfect match, Konik’s tail with it’s spicey and earthy notes are complimented by the floral sweetness of the honey mead.
I wanted to create a drink that was a simple yet elegant expression of both the vodka and honey, refreshing yet bold and complex. I used a traditional mead from lyme bay which is sweet and full bodied. I could drink this drink all day. It is one that is easy to make at home, I used a honey tuile biscuit to garnish for a simple edible garnish – however lemon peel will also work perfectly here.
I found the bold flavours of the cocktail were the perfect accompaniment to westcombe cheddar, from the heart of somerset, that offers a deep flavour with a mellow lactic tang and a structured firm texture. Pair the Miod highball with some westcombe cheese on rye or sourdough bread with a drizzle of honey.
I C E
Spear
G L A S S
Highball
G A R N I S H
Honey Tuile or Lemon Peel
I N G R E D I E N T S
50ml Konik’s Tail Vodka
25ml Mead
10ml Honey Water (4:1 ratio)
2 Dashes Aromatic Bitters
50ml Soda to top
M E T H O D
To make the honey water add 4 parts honey with 1 part hot water to create a syrup. Build all the ingredients in a highball with ice, stir briefly to incorporate. Top with more soda if necessary and garnish with a honey tuile biscuit or lemon peel.
P A I R W I T H
Westcombe Dairy Cheddar cheese, sourdough and honey
