Most people think of honey as something to stir into tea when they have a sore throat, but it’s so much more than that. Honey is a natural sweetener that adds depth, smoothness, and complexity to drinks in a way that sugar never could.
But not all drinks work with honey, and if you don’t mix it properly, it can clump at the bottom or overwhelm the other flavours. So, what drinks are sweetened with honey? And how do you add honey to drinks the right way? Keep reading for answers to all your burning questions.
How to Add Honey to Drinks Without the Mess
Before we talk about the best drinks to pair with honey, it’s important to know how to actually mix it in properly.
- Dissolve it first: Honey is thick, and if you add it straight to a cold drink, it will just sink to the bottom. Stir it into a little warm water first, then add it to your drink.
- Make honey syrup: Mix equal parts honey and warm water, stir until smooth, and store it in a jar for easy use.
- Blend it: If you’re making a smoothie or juice, just throw the honey in the blender and it’ll mix perfectly.
Now that we’ve got that sorted, let’s talk about the best drinks to pair with honey.
Drinks That Taste Better with Honey
1. Tea and Herbal Infusions
This one’s obvious, but there’s a right way to do it. Not all honey tastes the same, and pairing the right one with your tea makes a difference.
● Black tea with wildflower honey creates a rich and slightly malty combination.
● Green tea with acacia honey is light and smooth, complementing the delicate flavours.
● Chamomile tea with orange blossom honey brings a slight citrusy note that enhances the calming effect.
2. Honey-Sweetened Coffee
Adding honey to coffee might sound strange, but it works surprisingly well. It adds depth and smoothness while cutting the bitterness. The key is to stir it into warm coffee, not iced coffee unless you’ve made honey syrup.
H&G’s Honey with Cinnamon works best here since it’s mild, blends easily, and won’t overpower the coffee’s natural flavour.
3. Fresh Juices and Smoothies
Can I mix honey in juice? Absolutely. Many fruit juices and smoothies already have natural sweetness, but a little honey can enhance and balance the flavours.
● Orange juice with honey creates a smoother, richer taste.
● Carrot and ginger juice benefits from honey’s ability to soften the sharpness of the ginger.
● Berry smoothies taste even better with honey bringing out the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Pro tip: Blending the honey with the juice or smoothie ingredients instead of stirring it in afterwards ensures it mixes properly.
4. Lemonade and Honey-Based Refreshers
Most lemonades use sugar, but honey adds a richer, rounder sweetness. It also works well in limeade and iced herbal drinks.
A few good options include:
● Classic honey lemonade, where honey replaces sugar for a more natural sweetness.
● Honey mint cooler, made with honey, fresh mint, lime, and sparkling water.
● Honey ginger limeade, a refreshing mix of sweet, spicy, and citrus flavours.
For citrus-based drinks, H&G’s Honey with Lemon is a great choice since it blends well with bright, zesty flavours.
5. Golden Milk and Other Warm Honey Drinks
Golden milk is a warm drink made with turmeric, honey, and milk. It’s creamy, slightly spiced, and packed with health benefits. Honey also works well in other warm drinks like:
● Warm honey lemon water, a simple yet effective detox drink.
● Honey chai latte, where honey’s natural sweetness balances the bold spices.
● Honey and cinnamon milk, perfect for winding down before bed.
6. Cocktails and Mocktails
Honey isn’t just for non-alcoholic drinks. Bartenders have been using honey in cocktails for years because it dissolves better than sugar and adds a natural, complex sweetness.
A few classic honey-based cocktails include:
● Bee’s Knees, a timeless mix of gin, honey, and lemon.
● Honey whiskey sour, which is smooth, warming, and balanced.
● Spiked honey lemonade, made with honey, bourbon, lemon, and a splash of soda.
For cocktails, smooth honey like British Wildflower Honey works best since it dissolves easily and doesn’t overpower the other flavours.
Conclusion
If you’ve only been using honey in tea, you’ve been holding it back. Honey adds flavour, depth, and natural sweetness to coffee, juices, smoothies, cocktails, and so much more.
The key is to mix it properly, choose the right honey for each drink, and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.
References
Honey Source (2022). What Are Some Drinks Honey Goes Well With? Retrieved from https://www.honeysource.com/what-are-some-drinks-honey-goes-well-with/
National Honey Board. 12 Honey Drinks that Beat the Summer Heat. Retrieved from https://honey.com/blog/12-honey-drinks-that-beat-the-summer-heat