Honey Syrup

Here’s how to make simple syrup with honey! Honey syrup is a naturally sweet alternative for drinks, and a special ingredient in a few classic cocktails.

Here’s a tasty way to make simple syrup: with honey! Honey Syrup is a naturally sweet way to add sweetener to cocktails. You can make drinks with no refined instead of using simple syrup, which is made with sugar. Honey syrup is a special ingredient in a few classic cocktails, too! It adds a depth and nuance to the flavor that’s missing from simple syrup. Even better: it takes just 5 minutes to make. Here’s what to do, and more about the classic cocktails that use it.

How to make honey syrup: a few tips

Honey syrup is just like simple syrup, but using honey instead of sugar. To make it, heat equal parts honey and water. Yes, it’s a recipe that you can state in a sentence! Here are a few things to note about the process (or jump right to the recipe):

• Heat but don’t simmer or boil! Warm equal parts honey and water over medium heat just until the honey dissolves. Don’t bring it to a simmer or boil: all you want is to dissolve.
• Store in a mason jar. Throw it in a mason jar and it’s easy to use in your cocktail repertoire.
• Lasts up to 1 month refrigerated. This recipe makes 16 tablespoons: enough for lots of drinks! Refrigerate for a month; it will likely last longer.
• Why isn’t it honey colored? Ours turned out fairly dark because the honey we used had a dark color. Honey varies in color, so the color of the syrup can vary from light yellow to dark brown.

Use it as a substitute for simple syrup

You can use this honey syrup as an alternative to simple syrup in all of our cocktail recipes! The flavor of honey won’t overwhelm most drinks. The honey works as a sweetener, it doesn’t necessarily make things taste like honey. The flavor has more depth than simple syrup, so you’ll taste subtle notes that add complexity to the drink.

Cocktails that use honey syrup

The best way to use honey syrup (in our opinion!) is in the classic cocktails that call for it! Here are a few famous honey cocktails to get you started:

• Gold Rush A honey-based version of a whiskey sour.
• Bees Knees This 1920’s gin cocktail features lemon and honey.
• Penicillin A unique cocktail that swirls Scotch with lemon and honey.
• Brown Derby This 1930’s cocktail features bourbon, grapefruit and honey.

Buy local honey if you can find it!

Use local honey if you can find it! It has unique flavor and supports local businesses. Since local honey contains a blend of local pollen, it can also strengthen your immune system and reduce pollen allergy symptoms. Look for it at your local farmers market. Local honey is often sold in larger grocery stores.

This honey syrup recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, naturally sweet, and has no refined sugar.

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More cocktails to try!

There are so many timeless classic cocktails. Here are some favorites that would work well using honey syrup:

• Classic Mojito Here’s a classic Mojito recipe, perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint!
• Classic Daiquiri The Classic Daiquiri is made with rum, lime juice, and sweetener.
• Gin Fizz Sweet, tangy, and has a frothy egg white foam topping.
• Tom Collins Light, bubbly, sweet tart, and just plain fun.
• Gin Gimlet A classic cocktail made of lime juice and gin. Totally refreshing!