How to Make Honey Syrup, Fast and Easy

Honey syrup is a fast and easy way to give your cocktail a little more flavor and sweetness. It takes less than 10 minutes to easily change the flavor profile of any cocktail recipe!

It adds so many complex flavors to any cocktail. Take, for example, a Whiskey Sour (non-egg white version); whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Now replace the simple syrup with honey syrup, and you have a completely different drink. Yes, it’s just honey and water.

You can even use this liquid honey on other things besides cocktails. Great in lemonade, pancakes, salad dressings, and many different food options.

Why Do I Have To Make a Honey Syrup?

You don’t want to use honey right out of the container in your cocktails. The viscosity is a thicker texture that will freeze and not incorporate into your drink.

Adding warm water to your honey will make it into a syrup that can easily be mixed and shaken into cocktails.

What kind of honey is the best to use?

Raw honey will be the best honey choice for your syrup recipe. You don’t want unnecessary ingredients in your honey to throw off flavors that are no longer organic.

In America, honey makers can have up to 51% of added ingredients without putting them on the label. That seems no longer like honey, right?

Make sure the honey you are buying is 100% raw, natural honey. Grocery stores usually have local honey from your area, or local farmers’ markets will carry it. Doing this helps local businesses and ensures you have the best product possible. 

Using a local beekeeper, you get some great local pollen from your area that gives your honey unique flavors.  It also can help with allergies to anyone in that environment. 

What is the best way to store my honey syrup?

You want to make sure you use an airtight container. There are many options out there. We like to use Crew Supply Bottles. However, you can use a mason jar or any other airtight container you have.

You also want to keep it stored in a fridge when you aren’t using it. This will ensure you get the most out of your honey simple syrup.

Your syrup will last at least one month following these steps.

Taste Test Three Different Honey Syrups

We compare two local honey options versus a generic store brand. We sample each one and then make a honey syrup with each.

I make three Disgruntled Bee cocktails and see if Riley can taste test the different types of honey in each cocktail.

Cocktails Using This Honey Syrup Recipe

Disgruntled Bee

• 1 ounce London Dry Gin
• 1 ounce Amaro Nonino
• .5 ounce Honey Syrup
• .75 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin
2. Add ice
3. Shake for 12 -15 seconds
4. Double strain into a coupe glass

Gold Rush

• 2 ounces Bourbon
• .75 ounce Honey Syrup
• .75 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin
2. Add ice
3. Shake for 12 -15 seconds
4. Double strain into a coupe glass

Let us know what recipes you like with honey syrup!