Warm herbed mead (mjöðr)
A sweet and comforting version of warm mead, made from fermented honey (or, for family use, simply honey-infused) scented with Nordic herbs. Golden, honeyed, lightly spiced.
A sweet and comforting version of warm mead, made from fermented honey (or, for family use, simply honey-infused) scented with Nordic herbs. Golden, honeyed, lightly spiced.
Raise the horn, friend, and listen. When I was laid upon Hringhorni and the flame took the wood, my mother Frigg wept and the gods poured mead on the shore in my honor. This honey liquor, the bees made it for the gods; warm it gently near the fire, throw in the fragrant herb, and drink to my memory before the world ends.
- •Mead (fermented honey) — a full horn (drink)
- •Honey — a drizzle (sweetness)
- •Yarrow or bog myrtle — a few sprigs (aromatic)
Warm herbed mead (mjöðr)
A sweet and comforting version of warm mead, made from fermented honey (or, for family use, simply honey-infused) scented with Nordic herbs. Golden, honeyed, lightly spiced.
Why this dish? Mead is the quintessential drink of the Asgardian gods, poured at feasts and offerings. At Baldr's death, his body was placed on the ship Hringhorni and burned: these great ritual moments were accompanied by mead libations. A cup raised in memory of the god of light.
Raise the horn, friend, and listen. When I was laid upon Hringhorni and the flame took the wood, my mother Frigg wept and the gods poured mead on the shore in my honor. This honey liquor, the bees made it for the gods; warm it gently near the fire, throw in the fragrant herb, and drink to my memory before the world ends.
Ingredients (period version)
- Mead (fermented honey) — a full horn (drink)
- Honey — a drizzle (sweetness)
- Yarrow or bog myrtle — a few sprigs (aromatic)
Ingredients
- Mead (or apple juice + honey for non-alcoholic version) — 750 ml (drink)
- Honey — 2 tbsp (sweetness)
- Thyme and rosemary — 1 sprig each (aromatic)
- Apple peel zest — 1 strip (flavor)
Method
- Pour the mead (or apple juice + honey mixture) into a saucepan.
- Add the honey, herbs, and apple zest.
- Heat over low heat without ever boiling (to preserve aromas and any alcohol).
- Let infuse for 10 minutes at a gentle simmer.
- Strain and serve hot in cups or horns.
How it was made : Mead, fermented honey wine, was the noble drink par excellence in the Norse world, associated with gods and poetry (the 'mead of poetry' is a central Eddic myth). It was drunk from horns at feasts and blót; local herbs like yarrow or bog myrtle (before the spread of hops) were used to flavor and preserve fermented drinks.
The contemporary twist : For a family and school table, serve the non-alcoholic version (honeyed apple juice infused), renamed 'Ray of Breiðablik,' in small golden cups.
Baldr · Charactorium