Step 1:Mix honey in 4.2 gallons of water no hotter then 104f use spring water, mix until fully mixed.
Step 2: Measure starting gravity.
Step 3: Can start a yeast starter or use yeast dry on top of must.
Step 4: USE TOSNA protocol "if you don't know this you don't need to be making mead."
Step 5: Degas one time a day until 5 to 7 days in or last sugar break,
Step 6: ferment until 1.000 and rack to secondary.
Step 7: add 2.68 grams of Potassium Sorbate and 2.5 grams of potassium metabisulfite
Step 8: back sweeten with half a pound of honey and 1 pound of lactose.
Step 9: add 2 cans of orange juice concentrate, and the zest of 5 oranges. Also add 5 vanilla beans scraped out, place zest and beans in hop bag.
Step 10: tasted and add more honey as needed. Let age another week and make acid and other flavor adjustments as needed.
Note: this is intended to be carbonated at 2.5 volumes.