What is Mead? A New Zealand Take on the World's Oldest Alcohol

Before there was beer, before there was wine — there was mead.

Made from fermented honey and water, mead is the oldest known alcoholic drink, enjoyed by ancient cultures from Africa and Asia to Scandinavia and Aotearoa. Today, it’s making a quiet comeback. And in our corner of the world, we’re bringing it to life with native botanicals, wild stories, and local honey straight from the forests and fields.

So, What Is Mead?

At its core, mead is simple: honey, water, and yeast, left to ferment until it becomes something golden and drinkable. From there, it can take countless forms — dry or sweet, still or sparkling, spiced, fruited, oaked, or infused.

Where beer relies on grains, and wine on grapes, mead is built on honey. And that changes everything. Because no two honeys are the same — especially in Aotearoa.

Mead in Aotearoa: Whenua in a Cup

New Zealand honey is special. From the native kānuka and mānuka trees to wild clover and backyard blossoms, each variety offers its own character. Earthy, floral, citrusy, herbal — and those flavours carry straight through to the glass.

At Undisturbed, we keep it local. We ferment small batches using honey sourced from co-ops and growers who care for the land and the bees. No synthetic inputs. No nonsense. Just a clean expression of the place it comes from.

Not Quite Wine. Not Quite Cider. Definitely Not Beer.

Mead doesn’t sit neatly in one category, as really it’s a category of it’s own - and that’s part of the appeal.

You can sip it chilled like a white wine, mull it like red or cider, or pour it from a tap at your local. It pairs with cheeses, spicy dishes, chocolate, or just a quiet sunset.

And because we don’t use grapes, grains or cane sugar, our meads tend to be low in sugar, gluten-free, and easier on the body than many mass-market drinks.

An Ancient Drink, Reimagined

While mead has been around for thousands of years, the way we make and drink it is evolving. We're part of a new generation of meadmakers who honour the roots — but aren’t afraid to experiment.

Whether it's rhubarb mead, mulled mānuka, or a seasonal brew inspired by native forests, our mission is simple: Let the ingredients speak, and savour what nature gives us.

Curious? Try It.

We release small batches year-round. You’ll find us at local markets, festivals, and soon — right here online. In the meantime, explore the rest of our Stories, or better yet, come have a sip in person.

Undisturbed is honey wine (mead), made slowly, from the forests, hills and fields of Aotearoa. It’s mead - made to leave our land, and our conscience, undisturbed.