Idromele is Italian for mead. Mead is the oldest known alcoholic drink and was referred to as "the drink of the gods."

Alcoholic drinks were long used as a means of creating sanitary drinks. It is interesting to note that The Bible does not mention water as a beverage. Wine is often referred to for its health benefits, as well as warnings against over indulgence.

We don't know when people first began making mead. The basic recipe is quite simple. The famous nectar and ambrosia of the gods on Olympus were honey and mead. In the Middle Ages, mead was so expensive compared to wine and beer that only the rich could afford. Of course because the recipe was so simple that people could make mead for themselves.

This recipe is very simple and cuts out the home brewing portion by using grain alcohol.

Ingredients

• 2 cups vodka
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup water
• 4 cloves
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 tsp orange zest

Directions

1. In a pot bring the honey and water to a boil.
2. Remove the foam as it boils.
3. Add the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, and orange zest to the honey.
4. Boil the honey for 1 minute.
5. Remove the honey from the heat for 2 minutes.
6. Boil the honey again for 1 minute.
7. Cover and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
8. Strain the honey into another pot.
9. Boil again for 1 minute.
10. Stir in the vodka.
11. Serve the mead hot.