A refreshing guide to enjoying summer mead

"Is mead a drink you have in cold weather because it's sweet?"
We get asked that a lot.

It's certainly understandable that people might think of it as a "fall or winter drink," given the sweetness of honey and the fact that it can be enjoyed warmed up.

〈Not at all!!〉

At our brewery, where it’s over 40℃ (104°F), we have proven through daily tastings and experiments that mead can be enjoyed even in summer. Today, we’d like to introduce some ways to enjoy mead that are unique to the summer season.

We will also share some pairing examples from the summer menu currently offered at "CISCO," a popular restaurant in Nagoya.

How to enjoy summer mead, chosen by the ANTELOPE staff

First, we’ll introduce some ways to enjoy summer mead that only we can recommend.


1. Pair it with a refreshing appetizer


Even though we said there are many ways to enjoy it, we still want you to try it chilled on its own first. But if that feels like the same old thing, our top recommendation for summer is to enjoy it with an appetizer.

If you have a cold dish to pair with a well-chilled mead, you’re sure to have a great summer.
First of all, "Nanbanzuke" (marinated fried fish/vegetables) is fantastic. Mead goes great with Nanbanzuke made with seasonal ayu (sweetfish) and your favorite vegetables.
We personally love it with *The Last Supper*, but sweeter types like *This is it* or heavier meads like *Deepseek Honey* work well, too.

The "Summer Peach and Sea Bream Ceviche" we introduced in vol. 3 of our self-published book *Atarashii Mead* (New Mead) also pairs perfectly with chilled mead. If you're pairing it with *What Churchill Said*, try sprinkling on some thyme or rosemary to taste.

2. Enjoy it on the rocks

Drinking mead over ice, like champagne, is another summer-appropriate way to enjoy it. Even a sweet mead takes on a sharp, crisp character, making it easy to drink and providing a different vibe than usual. It’s also fun to try different meads over ice. We recommend it for a drink after getting home, as an aperitif, or for a relaxing break on a holiday afternoon.

Just be careful, as meads with lower alcohol content can feel a bit thin if the ice melts too much.

We also received some advice on how to enjoy "barrel-aged mead" from Mr. Takuma Ogawa, the chef at Natural Wine Izakaya Gallo in Yotsuya, Tokyo!

According to Mr. Ogawa, you should first taste barrel-aged mead straight to check its original flavor, then enjoy the changes in taste by adding ice or doing a "twice up" (adding about the same amount of room-temperature water as the alcohol).

He noted that when ice is added to "Shiomead in the basilhouse," the citrus notes and acidity suddenly bloom, causing the flavor to change dramatically. He felt very enthusiastic about the new pairing possibilities, commenting, "This could even be enjoyed as a meal-time drink."

3. Enjoy it with ice cream


Try drizzling a fruit mead or a barrel-aged mead over vanilla ice cream—it’s delicious. You often hear about drizzling whiskey over vanilla ice cream, but many people can't drink whiskey to begin with. With mead, anyone can enjoy an adult dessert by pouring it over ice cream.

It’s perfect for when you want to upgrade your free time before bed, on a holiday evening when you’re done driving for the day, or while riding the Shinkansen (please be mindful of manners!).
Why not treat yourself to something a little different?

How did you like our suggestions?
Next, we’ll share some summer mead recommendations from a restaurant that always keeps mead on its menu.

Summer Mead Suggestions from "CISCO" in Nagoya

Located a 5-minute walk from Fushimi Station towards Sakae Station in Nagoya City, "CISCO" is a restaurant that stands out among the surrounding high-rise buildings with its black logo on a white curtain. We asked them for their recommendations on summer mead pairings, unique to a restaurant that keeps mead as a staple.

If you'd like to know more about how to enjoy CISCO, please check out this article.

1. Caesar Salad x What Churchill Said


A Caesar salad is made up of leafy greens, dressing, bacon, and cheese, and is generally not very sweet. Adding freshly shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano creates magic when paired with "What Churchill Said."

A sweetness is added as if you had squeezed a lime over it, and the crispness of the juniper berry washes it all away at the end. The slightly junk-food-like quality of the bacon combined with *What Churchill Said* leaves a catchy, addictive sensation, much like drinking ginger ale with a BLT burger. It was an excellent appetizer that really whets the appetite.


2. Oeufs Mayo x The Last Supper


A perfect starter, like an amuse-bouche in French cuisine.

The homemade "Oeufs Mayo" sauce uses anchovy paste, egg yolk, heavy cream, oil, and Dijon mustard. It is a rich appetizer characterized by its acidity and umami.

Pairing this with the acidic "The Last Supper" cleanses the palate of the richness, so you never get tired of it. The refreshing lactic acidity washes away the heaviness of the mayonnaise, leaving behind a subtle, sweet honey finish.

When it's hot but you're craving something substantial, "The Last Supper" comes to the rescue.


3. Caprese x Kinkan Gio


Tomatoes and citrus are actually a perfect combination.

Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese are rich in glutamate, an "umami" component. This glutamate creates a mellow, lingering deliciousness that spreads slowly across the tongue. It’s the kind of flavor that elevates a dish, often described as "depth" or "well-rounded body."

By adding the honey and kumquat sweetness of "Kinkan Gio," a synergistic umami effect is born, transforming it into a deep flavor that cannot be achieved on its own. The tomato's sweetness stands out, making it feel like you're eating a "new kind of fruit." It is a light yet satisfying pairing perfect for summer.

In closing

In summer, we tend to reach for beer or "something bubbly." At ANTELOPE, we promote mead even in summer, because who says every summer has to be the same?

Served cold and light.
Pair it with an appetizer, or have it instead of dessert.
With mead, you might just find a different kind of summer vibe.

Why not try adding a variety of enjoyments to your summer this year with mead?