Say hello to your new favorite liquid gold: Homemade Honey Syrup, a secret weapon that effortlessly elevates your coffee creations, cocktails, and sweet treats to new heights of blissed-out deliciousness. Today we're capturing the essence of golden honey in a convenient, easily dissolvable form, ready to enhance your favorite drinks with just a splash. With just two ingredients and a little love, you can bring the irresistible allure of honey to all your coffee shop favorites right from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you're seeking a delicate sweetness to complement your morning latte, a tantalizing twist for your evening cocktail, or a touch of honeyed magic to transform your baking adventures, this honey simple syrup has got you covered.
Imagine starting your day with a steaming cup of coffee, infused with the gentle caress of delicate sweetness. The liquid honey seamlessly blends with hot or cold beverages, allowing you to recreate the beloved flavors of your cherished coffee shop's creations right in the comfort of your own home. A dash of this golden elixir is all it takes to transport your taste buds to flavor heaven.
But wait, there's more! This simple syrup with honey is a multitasking superstar, ready to dazzle your cocktails with its natural sweetness. Whip up a sophisticated whiskey sour, an invigorating mojito, or a dreamy lavender-infused gin fizz – the possibilities are endless when you harness the magic of this natural sweetener.
Oh, and the enchantment doesn't stop there. My simple honey syrup seamlessly blends into your baking creations, infusing them with a golden warmth that tantalizes the tastebuds. From fluffy honey-infused pancakes to decadent honey-glazed pastries, you'll discover a whole new world of culinary delights.
So, what are you waiting for? Let's get to the kitchen and whip up a batch of this 2-ingredient wonder!
Jump to:
What Is Honey Syrup?
If you've ever wanted to combine the natural sweetness of honey with the convenience of a pourable syrup, this honey syrup recipe is where it's at. This magical elixir captures the essence of sticky sweet honey in readily dissolvable liquid form, ready to infuse your coffee, cocktails, and baking with a quick drizzle.
This liquid gold is a simple concoction made from just two ingredients: honey and water. By gently heating them together, we create a harmonious blend that effortlessly incorporates into any drink (even ice cold ones!), making it a breeze to flavor all your favorite beverages and recipes with the enchanting floral sweetness of honey.
What does it taste like?
When it comes to taste, this daintily flavored simple syrup embodies the essence of its primary ingredient: honey. If you're in the market for a sunshiny flavor that evokes images of flower gardens and buzzing bees drunk with nectar, you're in the right place.
Each variety of honey (determined by the primary source of bee food, like clover or flowers) brings its own unique character to this simple recipe. From the floral notes of wildflower honey to the robust earthiness of buckwheat honey, there's a world of taste profiles to discover and savor. Have fun experimenting with different varieties of local honey to find your favorite.
All that said, the real beauty of this simple syrup recipe with honey lies in its ability to enhance and complement other flavors without overpowering them. It acts as a harmonious companion, effortlessly blending into your coffee, cocktails, and baked goods. Its gentle sweetness weaves its way through any beverage or pastry, imparting a delicate, honeyed touch.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Simple Syrup Recipe
Aside from boasting a gorgeous golden hue and being the perfect way to add honey flavor to all your favorite drinks, this honey simple syrup recipe is also:
- Quick & Easy - All you need is 5 minutes of active time to make this richly flavored coffee syrup.
- Made With Only 2 Ingredients - If you have honey and water, you’re in business.
- Versatile - You can use the honey syrup for cocktails or iced coffee drinks, soaking your cake layers or sweetening your morning oats. It’s a multitasking maven!
- Budget-Friendly - Rather than blowing your daily lunch budget on a single drink, you can make this copycat Starbucks honey blend syrup to make your own café-style creations at home for a fraction of the price.
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you only need two simple ingredients to make homemade honey simple syrup. Here’s what you need:
- Honey - Since honey is the star of the show, make sure to choose high-quality, preferably local products. Generally speaking, there is a wide selection of honey types to choose from. I recommend visiting a farmer's market near where you live to discover what varieties are available in your neck of the woods. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Wildflower Honey exhibits floral notes with hints of sweetness and lends a delicate, nuanced taste to your syrup.
- Clover Honey is widely available and cherished for its mild, delicate flavor. It boasts a smooth and subtly sweet taste, making it a versatile choice that pairs well with a wide range of coffee blends.
- Orange Blossom Honey is a delightful option if you seek a touch of citrusy brightness. It carries the aromatic essence of orange blossoms, infusing your syrup with a subtle, fragrant zest.
- Acacia Honey is renowned for its light, floral sweetness and delicate flavor. If you're not entirely sold on bold honey flavor, this subtler option might be a good pick for you.
- Buckwheat Honey possesses a distinctively rich, almost molasses-like taste that adds depth and complexity to anything it touches. If fortune favors the bold, consider yourself King Midas with this robustly flavored syrup.
- Water - For the cleanest, purest flavor, make sure to use filtered water.
Substitutions
If you need to make any ingredient swaps, these are the best options:
- Honey - If you don’t have honey or can’t eat it, feel free to swap in other liquid sweeteners like agave nectar or maple syrup instead.
- Water - For an added boost of flavor, swap your favorite tea infusion for plain water.
How To Make Honey Syrup
Making simple syrup with honey is as easy as 1-2… wait, that’s it. 😂
Step 1: Heat the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium until honey is dissolved, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Store & Use. Allow to cool slightly, then transfer to a clean mason jar or syrup bottle. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, using in all your favorite recipes as needed.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
As far as I’m concerned, this easy recipe for simple syrup from honey needs no adjustment. That said, taste is entirely subjective! Here are a few variations to try:
- Vegan - The magic of plant-based sweetness awaits! Simply swap in your favorite vegan liquid sweetener (e.g. agave nectar, maple syrup, coconut nectar, or date syrup) to make a deliciously flavored vegan coffee syrup.
- Different Infusions - Feel free to add an extra layer of loveliness by infusing the warm honey syrup with tea bags, whole spices, or citrus rinds for about an hour as it cools. Make honey ginger syrup by adding about an inch of fresh ginger that has been sliced thinly; honey lavender syrup by adding about a tablespoon of culinary grade lavender in a tea ball (for easy straining); or honey lemon syrup by adding a few slices of lemon. When the syrup has cooled completely, strain out the solids and store/use as directed.
Serving Suggestions
Once your golden, ambrosial nectar is made, I have a feeling you’ll find no shortage of ways to put it to use. Here are some of my favorites:
- Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew - Make your favorite summery Starbucks drink at home for some serious savings.
- Honey Latte - Add sweet honey deliciousness to your favorite hot or cold latte.
- Iced Tea with Honey - Put down those overpriced cans of Arizona Tea and bottles of Honest Tea. You can easily make a big batch of your own to keep in the fridge for quenching any thirst on a dime.
- Honey-Sweetened Lemonade - Add a lovely layer of floral complexity to your next batch of homemade lemonade by using this honey syrup as your sweetener.
- Cocktails - Try swapping in honey simple syrup for plain in any of your favorite cocktail recipes. You’ll be amazed at how much it can change the flavor!
- Pastries - Dribble some honey syrup on the layers of a hummingbird cake to keep them moist, or brush it over your bread before baking for a gorgeous golden-brown sheen.
Recipe Success Tips
If you've ever wondered how to make honey simple syrup, this easy recipe is the place to start. Here are some key tips to keep in mind for the best-tasting results:
- Start with high-quality honey that you enjoy eating plain. The flavor of the honey will greatly impact the taste of your syrup. Opt for pure, raw honey for the best results.
- A commonly used ratio for most simple syrups is equal parts sweetener (e.g. honey) and water. That said, you can easily adjust the ratio to create a thicker/thinner or sweeter/less sweet result. I personally opted for a higher honey-to-water ratio for a thicker, more richly flavored syrup.
- Use gentle, low heat to preserve all the delicate flavors present in the raw honey.
- While it's not crucial to your success, you’re welcome to strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any impurities and make it extra clear.
FAQs
Yep, you’ll definitely want to store your honey simple syrup in the fridge to prevent it from molding. While regular honey is perfectly shelf stable for an indefinite period, by diluting the honey we also dilute its natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Store the honey syrup in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. If you notice any changes in color, texture, or taste, it's best to discard it and make a fresh batch.
Yes, and also no. Honey is an excellent liquid sweetener that can add delightfully complex flavor to anything it touches. However, in its raw state, honey will harden when it comes into contact with the cold. This makes it less than ideal for sweetening, say, iced tea or cold brew coffee. To overcome this minor hiccup, simply dissolve it in warm water first so it slips seamlessly into whatever recipe you’re using it for.
To ensure you're purchasing pure honey without corn syrup:
1. Read the label. Look for honey that explicitly states "100% Pure Honey" or "Raw Honey."Â
2. Check the ingredient list. It should list only one ingredient: honey.Â
3. Opt for honey sourced from reputable beekeepers or local producers who prioritize pure honey production. Pro tip: local farmers' markets and specialty stores often carry pure, local honey varieties.
4. Try purchasing raw, unfiltered honey. Raw honey undergoes minimal processing, preserving its natural flavors and health benefits. It's also unlikely to be tainted by additives like corn syrup.
5. Organic-certified honey is another option to consider. Organic standards require that the honey is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and is free from added sweeteners.1.
Yes, crystallized honey is safe to use. Crystallization is a natural process and does not indicate spoilage or any harmful changes in the honey. In fact, the crystallization is an indication that your honey is "true" honey, not a blend that has been adulterated with corn syrup or other additives.
So, if your honey has crystallized, there's no need to worry — it's still perfectly safe to consume. Crystallized honey may have a thicker, grainier texture compared to liquid honey, but its flavor and nutritional properties remain intact.
To restore the honey to its liquid state, you can gently heat it. Place the jar of crystallized honey in a warm water bath, or microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally until the crystals dissolve and the honey becomes fluid again. Be careful not to overheat the honey, as excessive heat can damage its beneficial enzymes and delicate flavors.
Alternatively, many people enjoy the unique texture of crystallized honey and use it as is. The crystals can add a pleasant crunch and a different mouthfeel to your culinary creations.
Remember to store your honey properly in a cool, dry place to help slow down the crystallization process. However, even if your honey crystallizes again after liquefying it, you can repeat the gentle heating process.
Honey Syrup Nutrition
Homemade honey syrup offers both sweetness as well as some modest nutritional benefits.
First, honey contains small amounts of several beneficial compounds including vitamins like C and B6, and minerals like potassium, calcium, and iron. That said, the quantities are relatively low. In other words, don't replace your daily multivitamin with this honey syrup!
Honey also contains a variety of antioxidants. Note that raw and unprocessed honey is typically a better source of these antioxidants compared to commercially processed honey.
So, while my homemade honey syrup can provide some nutritional benefits, it is still a source of sugar. Like any sweetener, honey syrup can contribute to increased calorie intake and spike your blood sugar levels, so you should consume it in moderation.
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 67 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Carbohydrates: 19 grams
- Sugar: 19 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Coffee Syrup Recipes
Honey Simple Syrup
Equipment
Ingredients
- â…” cup honey
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Add the honey and water to a small saucepan. Heat over medium until honey is dissolved, then remove from heat.
- Allow to cool slightly, then place in a mason jar or syrup bottle. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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