Thus was the Hydromel made that I gave the Queen, which was exceedingly
liked by everybody.


SEVERAL WAYS OF MAKING METHEGLIN

Take such quantity as you judge convenient of Spring, or pure rain water,
and make it boil well half an hour. Then pour it out into a Woodden fat,
and let it settle 74 hours. Then power off the clear, leaving the sediment
in the bottome. Let such water be the Liquor for all the several
Honey-drinks, you will make.

1. Warm sixteen Gallons of this water (lukewarm) and put two Gallons of
Honey to it, in a half tub or other fit Woodden vessel. Lave it very well
with a clean arm, or woodden battle-door for two or three hours, dissolving
the honey very well in the water. Let it stand thus two or three days in
wood, laving it thrice a day, a pretty while each time. Then put it back
into your Copper and boil it gently, till you have scummed away all the
foulness that will rise; and clarifie it with whites of Eggs: Then put into
it a little handful of cleansed and sliced white Ginger, and a little mace;
when they have boiled enough, put in a few Cloves bruised, and a stick of
Cinamon, and a little Limmon-peel, and after a walm or two, pour the Liquor
into a woodden half tub, with the spices in it. Cover it close with a Cloth
and blanquet, and let it stand so two days. Then let the liquor run through
a bolter, to sever the spice, stopping before any settlings come. Then pour
this clear liquor into pottle-bottles of glass, not filling them by a
fingers breadth or more. Stop them close with Cork tied in, and set them in
a cool place for 6, 7 or 8 weeks.