Honey Syrup Recipe (How to Make Honey Simple Syrup)

This homemade Honey Syrup is a fun and all-natural twist on classic simple syrup. Made with just honey and water, it’s floral, sweet, and the perfect addition to cocktails, pancakes, coffee, and more. Stovetop and microwave directions included.

Put the jar of honey in your pantry to use in this Honey Syrup recipe! It’s a deliciously sweet, slightly floral, and flexible cocktail ingredient made with just 2 ingredients: honey and water. 

Just like classic simple syrup, homemade honey simple syrup is a must-have ingredient for cocktails and many other recipes. Add a drizzle to any cocktail you love, like a Jungle Bird Cocktail or Aperol Sour, to help balance the flavors while adding a touch of sweetness. You can also use it in a cup of tea, a glass of iced coffee, in vinaigrettes, and more.

What’s better is how easy it is to make! 🙌 🙌 🙌

Just boil the honey and water together on the stovetop or in the microwave, wait for it to cool, and you’re done!

Once you get the hang of making your own honey simple syrup at home, you can experiment with the flavors by switching up the type of honey and using add-ins to infuse it with even more flavor.

What is honey syrup?

Honey syrup is a healthy-ish variation of simple syrup, a sweet syrup used to add sweetness and balance to cocktails and other recipes. To make it, honey and water are simmered together until the honey dissolves and the mixture turns into a pourable syrup. The flavor depends on the type of honey you use, but the syrup is typically light and sweet.

Honey syrup vs. simple syrup

Simple syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar and water, while honey syrup is made with the same ratio of honey and water. Just like with the sugar in simple syrup, the type of honey you use will determine the flavor of the honey syrup.

Ingredients needed

• Honey – You have so many types of honey to choose from! From raw honey to organic honey and clover honey to orange blossom honey to manuka honey, any kind will work in this recipe. Just keep in mind that the type of honey you use will determine the flavor of your honey syrup, so make sure you use one that you already enjoy.
• Water – The honey dissolves into the simmering water, creating a thin and pourable syrup.

How to make honey syrup

Stovetop instructions

Stir the honey and water together in a saucepan, then heat the mixture over medium heat until the honey dissolves.

Take the pot off of the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. 

Once it’s cool, pour the syrup into a glass jar or container and store it in the fridge.

Microwave instructions

Stir the honey and water together in a large Pyrex measuring cup or another heat-proof container. Heat it on HIGH in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the syrup boils.

Carefully take the measuring cup out of the microwave and stir the syrup. Set it aside to cool to room temperature. 

Once it’s cool, pour the syrup into a glass jar or container and store it in the fridge.

Tips and tricks

• Taste the honey before you make the syrup. If it’s very mild, consider using a 2:1 ratio of honey to water so the natural flavors and sweetness don’t get lost.
• Experiment with different types of honey in this simple syrup recipe. Check out this List of Different Types of Honey by Brightland to figure out which one you want to try first.
• Remember that light and mild-tasting honey varieties are best in fruity, citrusy, and bright drinks, like a Paloma. Darker and richer types of honey are best with drinks made with dark spirits, like bourbon, whiskey, or rum. 
• Infuse even more flavor into the syrup with flavor boosters! Add fresh rosemary, thyme, edible flowers, cinnamon sticks, citrus zest, or bay leaves to the honey-water mixture as it’s simmering, then discard them when it’s done.
• Do you only need a small batch of syrup? Reduce the amount of honey and water to ¼ cup or ½ cup each.

Ways to use it

• Cocktails – It’s perfect for my Bees Knees Cocktail! You can also use the syrup to sweeten this Espresso Martini, Mint Julep, Aperol Sour, Hot Toddy, or any of these drinks that use simple syrup. 
• Other drinks – A drizzle of honey syrup adds a nice sweetness to your hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning, almost any mocktail that calls for simple syrup, a glass of lemonade, iced coffee, or iced tea.
• Desserts – Brush the syrup over your cake layers for more moisture, or you can drizzle it over a bowl of ice cream or a fruit salad.
• Breakfast – It’s a tasty topping on this Sweet Ricotta Toast and a stack of pancakes or waffles.
• Marinades – Add it to your favorite zesty meat marinade for a touch of floral sweetness.
• Salad dressing – Add a drizzle to a citrusy vinaigrette or salad dressing.

FAQs

Can I substitute maple syrup for the honey?

Yes, real maple syrup can be used instead of the honey here. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

How do you store honey syrup? Can you freeze it?

It’s best to store your syrup in an airtight glass container or squeeze bottle in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it in a sealed container or mason jar, but leave about an inch of space at the top for expansion.

How long does it last?

The honey syrup lasts up to 2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

Did you make this honey simple syrup recipe?

If you loved making honey syrup for cocktails, I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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