The Buzz About Honey in Cocktails: Tips and Recipes for National Cocktail Day

National Cocktail Day is a time to celebrate the art of mixology and the many different ingredients that go into making the perfect cocktail. One ingredient that has become increasingly popular in recent years is honey. Are you curious about how to use honey in cocktails? Mixologists use honey as a sweetener, a flavor enhancer, or a way to balance out other ingredients in cocktails. Honey is a versatile and delicious addition that can elevate any cocktail.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how mixologists use honey in cocktails, the types of honey that work best, and some of the most popular honey-based cocktail recipes.

How is Honey Used in Cocktails?

Honey is a natural sweetener that adds a rich, complex flavor to cocktails. It’s also a great way to balance out other flavors in a drink, such as a tartness or bitterness. When used in cocktails, honey can be added as a syrup, a simple syrup, or even as a drizzle on top of a finished drink.

Honey Syrup

Honey Syrup is one of the most common ways to incorporate honey into a cocktail. It’s a simple mixture of honey and water, usually, in equal parts, that’s heated until the honey is fully dissolved. This syrup can then be added to a cocktail in place of regular simple syrup or other sweeteners.

Simple Syrup with Honey

Another way to use honey in cocktails is to combine it with regular simple syrup. This creates a sweetener that has the added complexity of honey flavor. To make this, combine equal parts honey and water with equal parts sugar and water. Heat until the sugar is fully dissolved, then use it in your cocktail recipe.

Honey as a Drizzle

You can use honey as a drizzle on top of finished cocktails to add a sweet, sticky layer that enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. It works particularly well in cocktails with citrus, such as a honey lemon drop, as it helps to balance out the tartness.

What Types of Honey Work Best in Cocktails?

When it comes to using honey in cocktails, not all honey is created equal. Different types of honey have different flavors and levels of sweetness, so it’s important to choose the right one for the drink you’re making. Here are a few of the most popular types of honey for cocktails:

Clover Honey

Clover honey is one of the most common types of honey out there, and it’s a great choice for cocktails. It has a mild, sweet flavor that pairs well with a wide range of other ingredients. It’s also readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Acacia Honey

Acacia honey is another popular choice for cocktails. It has a light, delicate flavor that’s not too overpowering, making it a great option for drinks that need a subtle touch of sweetness. If you want to add a unique flavor to your cocktails, it’s worth paying a bit extra for wildflower honey, which is more expensive than clover honey.

Wildflower Honey

Various wildflowers produce the nectar used to make wildflower honey, resulting in a more complex flavor profile than some other types of honey. It’s a good choice for cocktails that need a stronger, more distinct honey flavor. It can also be a bit more expensive than other types of honey, but it’s worth it for the unique taste.

Manuka Honey

The Manuka tree native to New Zealand produces nectar that bees use to make Manuka honey, which has a strong, distinctive flavor often described as medicinal. This honey is an excellent option for cocktails that require a bold and intense taste. However, it can be quite expensive.

Honey-Based Cocktails

Now that we know how honey can be used in cocktails and what types of honey work best, let’s explore some of the most popular honey-based cocktail recipes out there.

1. Honey Lemon Drop

The honey lemon drop is a simple but delicious cocktail that’s perfect for spring and summer. To make it, you’ll need:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• ¾ oz honey syrup

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

2. Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees is a classic cocktail that dates back to the Prohibition era. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup, and it’s perfect for those who love a slightly tart and sweet drink. Here’s how to make it:

• 2 oz gin
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz honey syrup

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

3. Bourbon and Honey

This cocktail is perfect for bourbon lovers who want a little sweetness to balance out the bold flavors of the whiskey. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 oz bourbon
• ½ oz honey syrup
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 dash of Angostura bitters

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

4. Hot Toddy with Honey

The hot toddy is a classic winter cocktail that’s perfect for cold nights. It’s made with whiskey, hot water, honey, and spices, and it’s sure to warm you up from the inside out. Here’s how to make it:

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 slice of lemon
• Hot water

Add the whiskey, honey, cinnamon stick, cloves, and lemon slice to a mug. Fill the mug with hot water and stir until the honey is fully dissolved. Enjoy while hot.

5. Honey Margarita

The honey margarita is a sweet and tangy twist on the classic margarita. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 oz tequila
• ¾ oz honey syrup
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz orange juice

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

How to Use Honey in Cocktails:

Honey is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can add depth and complexity to cocktails. Whether you’re using honey syrup, simple syrup with honey, or even just a drizzle of honey on top of a finished drink, adding honey is a great way to balance out other flavors and add a touch of sweetness to your cocktails.

When choosing a type of honey for your cocktails, consider the flavor profile of the type of honey you’re using and how it will pair with the other ingredients in the drink. Clover honey is a safe choice that works well with a wide range of flavors, while more unique varieties like acacia, wildflower, and Manuka can add a distinctive twist to your cocktails.

So this National Cocktail Day, why not experiment with some honey-based cocktails and discover the delicious ways in which honey can enhance your favorite drinks? Cheers!

Ready to give micro-batch honey a try? I’ve got just the Ontario honey for you, made by my bees and extracted in micro-batches by me, all in beautiful Loretto, On!

Save 10% off of your honey for this recipe with discount code: HONEY10

Ordering outside of Canada? Visit my Etsy Shop

Bonus: try out these fan favourite cocktail recipes from last year’s national cocktail day!