Better brewing through science.
The Rig Veda is an ancient Hindu religious text. It is thought to be the foundation of modern Hindu religion. Madhu Madya (translates "honey alcohol") is an alcoholic drink described in the Rig Veda made from yeast, honey, and herbs. Since the Rig Veda was written roughly 4000 BC, this makes Madhu Madya one of the oldest documented alcoholic beverages.
This recipe took quite a few tries to get the spice levels where they should be. It is spice heavy and all are required to give the full effect. Don’t skimp! What does it taste like? Ancient cola!
Madhu Madya BOMM
1. Add 1 quart of water to a pot and heat to off boil.
2. Add the following:
-1/4 tsp dried thyme
-3 mace skins
-3/4 inch of thinly sliced ginger with skin
-1 tsp lemon zest (1 lemon)
-1/2 stick cinnamon
-3 cloves
-1 tsp biryani Marsala (recipe below)
-4 whole long pepper
-8 pod green cardamom
-4 pod black cardamom
-1 TBSP lime buds (aka linden flower)
-1/2 tsp juniper berries
-1 TBSP Indian Gooseberries (dried)
-1 TBSP Nirav Tea
3. Allow to steep until cool and strain into a 1 gallon fermenter.
4. Add Add 3.5 lbs of Acacia honey to carboy (SG ~1.14) with 1/2 cup strawberries and 6 ounces dried mulberries.
5. Add 0.4 tsp Fermaid K, 0.8 tsp Fermaid O, and 1/4 tsp K2CO3.
-Add 0.8 tsp Fermaid O again at 1.110 & 1.070.
6. Add water to half gallon and swirl vigorously until most honey is dissolved.
7. Add water to 1/2 cup shy of gallon.
8. Add an activated smack pack of Wyeast 1388.
9. It should finish around 1.020.
10. Add 1 vanilla bean, 2 whole star anise, 5 whole green cardamom and 1 whole long pepper post ferment. Allow to infuse for 1-2 weeks to taste.
11. After appropriate spice level is reached, cold crash and bottle.
Biryani Powder Spice Mix
Instructions