Hydromeli Melitokraso - Mead from Laconia Limited Edition 50ML

Sotirale Family Mead – Traditional Greek Hydromeli

Step back through centuries of Greek history with Sotirale Family Mead, a rare and captivating drink traditionally known in Greece as Hydromeli or Melitokraso.

Handcrafted by the Sotirale family in Vatika, near the historic castle town of Monemvasia in Laconia, this exceptional mead is created using a closely guarded family recipe passed down through generations. Made from just two of nature’s purest ingredients, Greek honey and water, it is a beautiful expression of patience, craftsmanship and ancient tradition.

Three distinctive varieties of Greek honey aromatic thyme, delicate blossom and richly flavoured heather are carefully combined with water before undergoing a slow fermentation in barrels. The mead is then left to mature for two full years, allowing its flavours and aromas to deepen and develop naturally. The result is a striking deep-red drink with an enticing honeyed aroma, gentle sweetness and a rich, smooth and beautifully balanced character.

Mead is considered one of the oldest fermented alcoholic drinks in the world, with a history reaching back thousands of years. In ancient Greece, it was celebrated as the legendary “nectar of the gods” and enjoyed during feasts, ceremonies and important occasions. Its story continued across cultures and generations, but in Monemvasia, it holds an especially romantic meaning.

According to local tradition, newly married couples would drink Melitokraso each day during the first month of their marriage, the period that became known as the “honeymoon.” The sweetness of the honey was believed to bring love, happiness and a beautifully sweet beginning to married life.

The Sotirale family has lovingly brought this ancient drink into the modern world while remaining faithful to its heritage. Every bottle reflects their deep connection to the land of Laconia, their experience with Greek honey and their commitment to preserving a drink whose origins are woven into mythology and tradition.

Enjoy Sotirale Family Mead lightly chilled as an aperitif, served at room temperature to appreciate its full aroma, or gently warmed during the cooler months. Its rich honeyed character pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, cured meats, nuts, dried fruits and desserts. It also makes a thoughtful and distinctive gift for weddings, anniversaries and other meaningful celebrations.

More than simply a drink, Sotirale Family Mead is a taste of ancient Greece, a beautifully crafted journey through mythology, family tradition and the timeless sweetness of Greek honey.

50ml

8% ABV

About The Sotirale Family

The story of Sotirale Family begins in the beautiful region of Vatika, near Monemvasia in Laconia, a place where the land, its people and their traditions have remained deeply connected for generations.

Since 1950, the Sotirale family has devoted itself to producing exceptional Greek products inspired by centuries-old recipes and the natural treasures of their homeland. What began as a family passion has grown into a commitment to preserving traditional methods while sharing the authentic flavours and stories of Laconia with the world.

At the heart of their philosophy is a profound respect for nature. The family carefully works with ingredients offered by the surrounding landscape, including aromatic thyme, wild heather, seasonal blossoms and the olive groves for which southern Greece is renowned. Their collection includes organic extra virgin olive oil, raw Greek honey, honey vinegar and their most distinctive creation, traditional Greek mead, known as Hydromeli or Melitokraso.

Sotirale Family is recognised as one of the pioneering producers to revive this ancient drink in modern Greece.

For the Sotirale family, their work is about far more than creating beautiful products. It is about protecting a piece of Greek cultural heritage and keeping traditions alive for future generations. Each bottle represents patience, family knowledge and a genuine connection to the land from which it came.

From the mythical “nectar of the gods” to the romantic Monemvasia tradition of newlyweds drinking Melitokraso for a sweet and happy marriage, every Sotirale product carries a story. It is a story of Greek history, nature, craftsmanship and a family determined to preserve the flavours of the past while bringing them beautifully into the present.

Sotirale Family offers more than a taste of Greece, it invites you to experience the traditions, aromas and enduring spirit of Laconia in every bottle.