From the Tequila Honeybee to honey lime margaritas, there are plenty of summery drinks that use honey syrup for cocktails – aka, honey water. You can make honey syrup at home and store it in a jar or squeeze bottle.
But if you don’t feel like it, you can also use ready-made syrup. Check out the best brands to have in your pantry.
Best Premade Honey Syrup
Monin Honey Syrup
Established in 1912, Monin is one of the most popular manufacturers of syrups, gourmet sauces, concentrates, purees, and fruit smoothie mixes. It doesn’t come as a surprise that it also makes one of the best honey syrups for cocktails – that you can obviously use for other beverages and desserts, and baked goods, too.
The simple honey syrup is made from natural ingredients and surprises the palate with bold wildflower flavors.
The organic honey is enhanced with pure cane sugar and lemon juice concentrate, which reveal the exquisite notes of the main ingredient. However, this also makes the product unsuitable for people on a sugar-free diet.
Tipplemans Ginger Honey Syrup
Perfect for whisky sour, margarita, or sweet iced tea, the Tipplemans Ginger Honey Syrup can promote creativity behind the cocktail bar and add surprising flavors to the glass.
Unlike Monin, this is not just honey flavored but enhanced with ginger and spicy cayenne pepper.
This combination of all-natural ingredients pairs wonderfully with whisky, bourbon, and aged red wines.
At the same time, the jasmine and honeysuckle-tasting notes can add sweetness to tasty margaritas and other popular drinks. You can also use this syrup to sweeten iced teas, sauces, and salad dressings.
Unlike the Monin, this ginger honey flavor doesn’t contain sugar or added sweeteners. It uses wildflower honey and comes in a bar-worthy glass bottle, that’s a great improvement over Monin’s PET packaging.
BG Reynolds Natural Honey Syrup
From tweaked mojitos to a tequila sunrise, frozen mudslide, and sweet tea, this cane sugar and honey mix is the best choice for summery drinks.
Its greatest highlight is the use of real orange blossom honey that adds sweetness and tanginess at the same time.
Ideal for tiki bars and beyond, the BG Reynolds syrups can easily become a favorite ingredient for all drinks.
It also works well for mocktails, cold drinks, and other culinary purposes, but it is simply epic when mixed with rum and a splash of lime juice.
The ingredients are few and all-natural. In addition to honey, the concoction contains water, cane sugar, and tangerine oil.
It has a shelf life of 90 days after opening and must be stored in the refrigerator. Due to the mix of ingredients, separation might occur. Shake well before use.
Starbucks Honey Syrup
If you’re fond of Starbucks coffee and the brand’s sweet concoctions, know that you can use their honey syrup to mix delicious drinks or make iced coffee. Sure, you’ll have to drop some cash to get your hands on the goodness – a lot more compared to other syrups – but you’ll be able to brag in front of your friends about the high-class ingredient.
But just because the brand is Starbucks doesn’t mean that it’s better than others. The main downside is the use of generic honey. Starbucks doesn’t disclose what type they use, so you can expect flavor inconsistencies between batches.
This one also contains more additives and preservatives than other brands, so that’s something to consider if you want organic or syrup that’s all-natural.
That said, Starbucks really knows how to make things taste good, so you won’t be disappointed.
Cheeky Cocktails Honey Syrup
If you don’t care much about honey cocktails but would like to have a small bottle of honey syrup for emergency use, Cheeky Cocktails syrup could be your best bet.
Coming in a small bottle with a shelf life of about a year if unopened, this syrup made of wildflower honey is perfect for Gold Rush, Bee’s Knees, and other popular drinks.
This is a blend of a two-to-one ratio of honey and water. We particularly like the lack of any additive or preservative.
Sure, it might not be organic – there is no information on the label – but at least you won’t have to worry about added sugar or chemicals.
Another highlight is the adorable bottle with a minimalistic but incredibly attractive label. This bottle on a bar shelf is a true eye-catcher.
Honey Simple Syrup Recipes
Honey simple syrup is readily available on the market, but you don’t have to buy it. Whether you want a specific flavor or want to make your own, here are a few recipes to follow.
Honey Simple Syrup
By Liquor.com
Nothing can compete with the original, simple honey syrup recipe. All you need is good-quality honey and water. Mix honey and warm water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat.
Stir until the honey dissolves. For the best results, consider the drink that you want to blend and choose a specific type of honey.
For instance, orange blossom is perfect for rum and vodka, while wildflower or chestnut flower honey works better with whiskey.
Lemon-Honey Simple Syrup
By The FeedFeed
Ideal for mojitos, tequila, and fresh margaritas, this variation is a little different. To make it, cut ten lemons or so into thin slices and place them in a mason jar. Pour over enough honey to cover the slices and stir.
Cover the container and shake it or turn it upside down periodically to coax out the juice from the lemon – you could also squeeze the fruit beforehand and add lemon juice to the honey to speed things up.
Keep in the refrigerator and consume within two weeks.
Rosemary Honey Simple Syrup
Perfect for bourbon, rum, vodka, and gin, this honey simple syrup can become the star of your cocktail nights.
Make honey simple syrup by mixing a cup of your favorite honey with a cup of water. Pour into an airtight container or heat-proof jar and add a few sprigs of rosemary. Stir well and close the lid. Store in the refrigerator.
You can replace the rosemary in this recipe with other fresh herbs, such as mint or sage. Most options pair well with local honey and work with fresh cocktail recipes.
FAQs
Can you use honey instead of simple syrup in cocktails?
Yes, honey is a perfect simple syrup substitute in most drinks. However, since the complex flavors are bolder compared to sugar syrup, you should match the type of honey to the spirit you’re using.
Is honey syrup the same as honey?
No. Honey syrup is obtained by mixing honey with water, lemon, or other ingredients. Honey is a golden liquid with a thicker texture produced by bees. For making syrup at home, it is recommended to source the ingredients at your local farmers’ market or local beekeeper.
Does honey work in cocktails?
Yes, honey can enhance the flavor of numerous cocktails. Some drinks that require honey include Bee’s Knees and Gold Rush. But you can use it in other cocktails, too, including mojitos, tequila sunrise, and margaritas.
Can I use honey instead of sugar syrup?
You can use honey or syrup instead of refined sugar syrup, but you should choose a bland honey flavor if you don’t want to alter the final flavor of the cocktail. Otherwise, you can use any type of raw honey you like. Honey can also replace maple syrup.
Key Takeaways
- Honey syrups can enhance the flavor of your cocktails, or you can use them for hot drinks, hot tea, and other beverage.
- Tipplemans and Cheeky Cocktails are the best brands if you want premium syrups.
- Monin and BG Reynolds are two excellent choices for home use.
- You can make honey simple syrup at home by mixing equal parts honey and water.
