My wife, probably due to being required to live with me, really likes mead. I was thinking of geting together some stuff to give her as a birthday present where she/we could make some.

I bought a "how to make mead" book. Any suggestions on a cost-effective source/list of items to purchase to make a first batch?

She also like fairly sweet meads with or without fruit added. Anybody have a suggested recipe(s) to start making such mead with (complete with suggested yeasts, which is a topic that confuses me)?

Many thanks,

Neil