Traditional Irish Mead

Mead is a centuries-old European beverage made from fermented honey. In the U.S., the names "mead" and "honey wine" are often used interchangeably, but much of what is sold as "honey wine" fits that name perfectly: it is a light, sweet, white desert wine.

Traditional mead, on the other hand, should be dark amber, thick, and robust. It almost drinks more like a beer than a wine. Jan once got me a bottle that was imported from Ireland, but I haven't been able to find it since.

If you manage to find a bottle of real, old-fashioned mead at your local liquor store, grab a bottle for yourself as well and see what you've been missing. After all, any drink that's still around after 1,000 years has gotta be doing something right.