There’s something special about the colder months. The pace slows, evenings become longer, and simple moments spent around the table with the people we love become the ones we remember most.

Whether it's a Sunday roast with the family, a cosy dinner with friends, or a spontaneous catch-up over a cheeseboard, winter is all about bringing people together. And while a good meal is always the centrepiece, it's often the drink in everyone's hand that keeps the conversation flowing.

If you're looking for something a little different this season, mead is a beautiful alternative to traditional wine. Made from pure honey, it offers rich flavours, warming aromas and endless versatility—perfect for creating memorable moments at home.

Here are our favourite recipes to make this winter, starting with two classics that are guaranteed to become new traditions.

1. Mulled Mead – The Drink Everyone Will Ask For
2. Vin Brûlée – A European Favourite for Cosy Nights
3. Save These Sangria Recipes for Sunny Days
   1. Spanish Sangria
   2. Peach Mead Sangria
   3. Summer Mead Sangria
4. Tips for Serving Mead at Home
5. Make Winter Moments Worth Sharing

Mulled Mead – The Drink Everyone Will Ask For

Imagine arriving home on a cool evening to the comforting aroma of honey, cinnamon, orange and warm spices gently filling the kitchen.

Mulled Mead is everything you love about mulled wine, but softer, smoother and naturally richer thanks to the honey.

Our Spiced Mead already contains beautifully balanced spices, making this recipe incredibly simple while delivering exceptional flavour.

Ingredients

• 2 bottles of Spiced Mead
• 1 slice of orange
• 1 star anise
• 1 clove
• 1 cinnamon stick

Method

1. Pour the Spiced Mead into a saucepan.
2. Add the orange and spices.
3. Heat gently over a low flame without boiling.
4. Let it infuse for 15–20 minutes.
5. Serve warm in mugs or heatproof glasses.

Pair it with a grazing board, homemade desserts or simply good conversation. It's the kind of drink that encourages everyone to stay just a little longer.

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Vin Brûlée – A European Favourite for Cosy Nights

If your idea of the perfect evening includes hearty food, candles on the table and great company, Vin Brûlée is the perfect finishing touch.

Made with Rubee Red, this warming recipe combines citrus and aromatic spices to create a comforting drink that's perfect for entertaining throughout winter.

Ingredients

• 2 bottles of Rubee Red
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 cloves
• 1 star anise
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
2. Heat gently over low heat for around 20 minutes.
3. Avoid boiling to preserve the delicate flavours.
4. Strain before serving.
5. Garnish with fresh orange zest if desired.

Serve alongside roasted meats, rich cheeses or after dinner with your favourite dessert.

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A Little Something to Save for Sunny Days

Although winter calls for warming drinks, mead is just as enjoyable when the weather begins to warm.

Our Sparkling Mead and Rubee Red make an excellent base for fresh fruit sangrias, perfect for garden lunches, celebrations and long weekends.

Spanish Sangria

Who says sangria is only for summer?

Western Australia's mild winters make sangria a fantastic choice for long lunches and weekend gatherings. Using Rubee Red, this recipe delivers vibrant fruit flavours with just the right amount of spice.

Ingredients

• 2 bottles of Rubee Red
• 750ml soda water
• 50ml brandy
• 1 lemon
• 2 oranges
• 2 peaches
• 2 apples
• 2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

Method

Slice the fruit, combine all ingredients in a large jug and refrigerate overnight for the best flavour. Serve over plenty of ice.

Peach Mead Sangria

Fresh, fruity and wonderfully refreshing, this sparkling mead cocktail is ideal for spring afternoons and summer celebrations.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Sparkling Mead
• 1 peach
• 1 pear
• 1 strawberry
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 500ml lemonade or soda
• 100ml peach schnapps

Method

Mix everything together and refrigerate overnight before serving over ice.

Summer Mead Sangria

A combination of Sparkling Mead (or Classic Mead), blood orange, pear, strawberry and triple sec creates a light, citrus-forward drink that's made for sharing.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Sparkling Mead or Classic Mead
• 1 blood orange
• 1 pear
• 1 strawberry
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 500ml lemonade or soda
• 80ml triple sec

Method

Mix everything together and refrigerate overnight before serving over ice.

Tips for Serving Mead at Home

A few simple touches can turn a homemade drink into something truly memorable:

• Warm your mugs or glasses before serving Mulled Mead or Vin Brûlée.
• Prepare your drinks ahead of time and let the flavours gently infuse before guests arrive.
• Pair Spiced Mead with cheeses, roasted nuts, fruit cake or dark chocolate.
• Serve Rubee Red alongside slow-cooked meats, hearty pasta dishes or rich desserts.
• Garnish with fresh orange slices, cinnamon sticks or star anise for an inviting presentation.
• Keep a saucepan on low heat during gatherings so guests can help themselves throughout the evening.

The best hosts know that it's not about perfection—it's about creating a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home.

Make Winter Moments Worth Sharing

The best recipes aren't always the most complicated—they're the ones that become part of family traditions.

A pot of Mulled Mead waiting on the stove. Friends arriving with dessert. Laughter around the dining table long after dinner has finished.

These are the moments that turn ordinary evenings into lasting memories.

Whether you're discovering mead for the first time or looking for a new seasonal favourite, Spiced Mead and Rubee Red offer a delicious way to bring people together.

This winter, pour something a little different, gather your favourite people, and make every catch-up feel like an occasion.