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Everything you need to know to make easy honey simple syrup! It’s a healthy alternative to regular simple syrup and is made with two simple ingredients. Use it for cocktails, desserts, vinaigrettes, and marinades.
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Pin ItI’ve been making honey syrup, or honey simple syrup, for years as a healthier alternative for my cocktails. It’s a liquid sweetener made with raw honey and water and is really easy to make.
This naturally sweet syrup can be infused with other ingredients to give it unique flavors. I love a lavender honey simple syrup!
I’ve used this liquid sweetener in my favorite drink and cocktail recipes, such as my Bee’s Knees recipe, super popular drunken leprechaun, and my Earl Grey tea cocktail. It’s great for sweetening summer cocktails, mocktails, cold tea, and homemade juices.
It’s also great for hot drinks like coffee and hot tea.
Honey Simple Syrup Ingredients
There are two simple ingredients to make this simple syrup:
Honey: There are different types of honey: single-origin, where the nectar comes from a single plant, and multi-flower, where the nectar comes from multiple plants. Use good quality honey, grade A or grade B, and raw local honey if possible.
Water: Room temperature or cold water is fine. You will be heating the mixture so the water will warm as it’s heated.
Tips for Making Honey Simple Syrup
- The ratio of honey and water will determine how thick the syrup is. If you use 1 cup honey to 1/2 cup water you’ll have a thicker texture. This texture is great for desserts or pouring over pancakes.
- For cocktails use a 1:1 ratio which will make a light syrup.
- Use local honey when possible. Local honey supports your local beekeeper and is made with a blend of local pollen, which can help with pollen allergy symptoms. You can find local honey at your local farmers’ market.
How to Infuse Honey Simple Syrup
Make different flavors by infusing the syrup with extracts, herbs, and spices in this recipe. Here are some suggestions:
Lavender—To make a lavender flavor, use 1 tsp culinary-grade lavender extract or simmer fresh lavender in the syrup and then strain.
Citrus – Add lemon juice or citrus extract to make a lemon flavor.
Vanilla – Either vanilla extract or scrape out the seeds in a vanilla bean pod.
Whole Spices – Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, or fresh ginger are all ingredients that can be added to the honey and water mixture while it’s simmering.
Helpful Tips for Storing Honey Simple Syrup
A jar with a lid, such as a Mason jar, is excellent for storing your homemade syrup. Here are some more tips:
Label the container: It’s always a good idea to label the container with the date it was made and the expiration date. This will help you track how long the syrup has been stored and when it should be used.
Store in a cool, dark place: While honey is naturally shelf-stable, storing the simple syrup in a cool, dark place will help prolong its shelf life.
Refrigeration is optional: Some people prefer to store their honey simple syrup in the refrigerator, while others leave it at room temperature. Both options are acceptable.
Recipes That Use Honey Syrup
- Sweet Tea
- Homemade Lemonade
- Lemonade Popsicles
- Hibiscus Tea
- Wild Turkey Cocktail
- Easy Apple Cider Drink
- Honey Ice Cubes
If you’re making a cocktail bar or spritzer bar, add this sweetener to the bar to give guests options.
If you’re looking for more simple syrup recipes, try my Cranberry Simple Syrup, Gingerbread Simple Syrup, Hibiscus Simple Syrup or Rose Simple Syrup.
Now that you know how to make liquid honey, please comment below with what you think and how you use it!
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Honey Srup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add the honey and water.
- On low heat, simmer the syrup until the honey dissolves.
- Let the syrup cool, then pour it into an airtight container like a mason jar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks incredible! I can taste it already!!!
This is such a fun and delicious take on a simple syrup. I love it in summertime drinks!
this honey syrup is amazing in cocktails and in other beverages, thank you for sharing this recipe!