How to Make Honey Syrup at Home

honey syrup in a small glass jar with golden liquid

Honey syrup is a bar staple that brings gentle sweetness and subtle floral notes to cocktails without the thickness and stickiness of pure honey. Making your own honey syrup at home requires only honey, hot water, and a few minutes of attention. This versatile sweetener blends easily in both cold and hot drinks—no more stubborn clumps at the bottom of your glass.

Why Use Honey Syrup Instead of Pure Honey?

Pure honey is thick and resists mixing with cold liquids, which can result in unevenly sweet cocktails and wasted honey sticking to the sides of your shaker. Diluting honey with hot water transforms it into a syrup that stirs and shakes smoothly, delivering a balanced flavor throughout your drink.

Ingredients for Homemade Honey Syrup

60 ml honey (use a runny, mild variety for best versatility)
60 ml hot water (not boiling—about 70–80°C is ideal)

Step-by-Step: Making Honey Syrup

Add 60 ml honey and 60 ml hot water to a heatproof glass or small bowl.
Stir gently with a spoon or whisk until the honey fully dissolves into the water.
Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Pour into a clean glass bottle or jar. Store capped in the refrigerator.

mixing honey and water in a small bowl with a spoon

Tips for the Best Honey Syrup

Equal parts (1:1) honey syrup works for most recipes, creating a runny, pourable texture.
For sweeter, more honey-forward cocktails, try a 2:1 ratio: 60 ml honey to 30 ml hot water.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Inspect before each use and discard if cloudy or off-smelling.
Use mild, light honey for a neutral sweetness; wildflower or orange blossom honey adds extra layers of aroma to your drinks.

Where to Use Homemade Honey Syrup

Honey syrup shines in cocktails like the Bee’s Knees, Gold Rush, Penicillin, or even a Whiskey Sour. You can also add it to tea, lemonade, or drizzle over fruit.

cocktail with honey syrup in a coupe glass and lemon twist