Mead is an ancient alcoholic beverage made simply by fermenting honey mixed with water, which is why it is frequently, though slightly inaccurately, referred to as "honey wine." Unlike traditional wine made from crushed grapes or beer brewed from starches and grains, mead sits in a category entirely its own, deriving its primary fermentable sugars directly from honey. While the base recipe only requires honey, water, and yeast, makers often add fruits, spices, herbs, or even hops to create a massive variety of flavors. Depending on how it is crafted, mead can range from thick, rich, and syrupy sweet to crisp, effervescent, and bone dry. Often associated with Vikings, ancient kings, and medieval feasts, it is actually considered the world's oldest known alcoholic drink and is currently enjoying a major resurgence in the modern craft brewing scene.