Honey adds a smooth, natural sweetness to cocktails that’s hard to beat. It’s more than just a sweetener: honey brings a rich texture and layers of flavor, from floral to earthy, depending on the type.
Honey mixes easily with different spirits and adds depth without taking over the flavor. It’s a perfect match for citrus, spice, and herbs.
Find out which of our 12 most popular cocktails and recipes feature this golden syrup.
Bee’s Knees
This Prohibition-era cocktail mixes gin, lemon, and honey, giving it a smooth, sweet kick. The name comes from old slang for “the best,” and it definitely lives up to it. Back in the 1920s, bootleggers loved using honey to hide the rough taste of homemade gin. Today, it’s a go-to for anyone who likes a light, zesty drink with a floral hint.
Canchánchara
The Canchánchara is one of Cuba’s oldest cocktails. Originally, Cuban soldiers drank it as a soothing pick-me-up during the independence fight. It’s a simple mix of rum, honey, and lime that delivers a tropical and comforting taste. It’s often served in a clay cup.
Gold Rush
This cocktail brings together bourbon, honey, and lemon—a trio of warm, cozy flavors. Created at Milk & Honey in New York in the early 2000s, the Gold Rush has earned its spot as a modern classic. Think of it as a whiskey sour, but with honey instead of sugar for extra smoothness.
Penicillin
Invented in 2005 by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey, the Penicillin combines Scotch, honey, lemon, and a splash of smoky single malt. It’s a drink with depth, like a cozy sweater in cocktail form. The honey mellows out the smoky Scotch, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves bold, smoky flavors. Often called a “cure-all,” it’s the ultimate comfort drink for winding down.
Honey Old Fashioned
The Honey Old Fashioned is a smooth twist on the classic Old Fashioned. This cocktail combines bourbon or rye whiskey with a touch of honey syrup and a few dashes of bitters. The honey adds a gentle sweetness that softens the whiskey’s edge while enhancing its depth. You can also make a traditional Old Fashioned with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey. Using Tennessee Honey adds a subtle honey flavor that pairs beautifully with the classic Old Fashioned ingredients.
Air Mail
This cocktail takes you right to the tropics, mixing Cuban white rum, lime juice, and honey syrup, then topping it with champagne. The Air Mail dates back to the 1930s and was probably named after the modern airmail delivery method. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a bubbly, citrusy drink with a hint of honeyed sweetness.
Three Dots and a Dash
Created during World War II, this tiki cocktail symbolizes “Victory” in Morse code, hence the name. Made with rhum agricole, aged rum, falernum, allspice dram, honey syrup, lime, orange juice, and a dash of bitters, it’s a complex mix of tropical and spiced flavors.
Honey Bee
The Honey Bee is a simple, classic cocktail that lets the ingredients shine. With Jamaican-aged rum, lime juice, and honey syrup, it’s a smooth, balanced drink that brings a cozy, tropical sweetness.
Chet Baker
Named after the legendary jazz musician, this cocktail is smooth and sophisticated, much like the man himself. Mixing aged rum, a touch of sweet vermouth, honey syrup, and bitters, the Chet Baker is stirred and served in an Old Fashioned glass. The honey adds a gentle sweetness, balancing out the depth of the rum and vermouth, while the orange peel garnish adds a citrusy aroma.
Island of Martinique
This cocktail is served in a coupe glass and blends the unique flavors of gold rhum agricole with falernum, lime juice, honey syrup, and a dash of bitters. It’s tropical and lightly spiced, giving a taste of the Caribbean’s laid-back, sunny vibe.
East New York Flip
The East New York Flip is an indulgent mix of bourbon, port wine, heavy cream, and honey syrup, finished with a dusting of grated nutmeg. This cocktail brings a creamy, smooth experience, combining the boldness of bourbon with the mellow sweetness of honey and the velvety texture of cream. It’s a drink with depth and a touch of old-world charm, perfect for cozy winter nights or as an after-dinner treat.
Beehive
The Beehive takes aged rum and adds a unique twist with Fernet Branca, lime juice, and honey syrup. This cocktail has a refreshing zing from the lime, balanced by the herbal, slightly bitter edge of Fernet Branca and the warmth of honey. It’s an unexpected combination that works beautifully, with flavors as bold as a buzzing beehive.
Serving Suggestions or Occasions
Each of these honey cocktails brings its own mood, making them perfect for different seasons or settings.
The East New York Flip, with its creamy texture and warming flavors, is a great choice for cozy winter evenings or holiday gatherings.
On the other hand, the Air Mail with its bubbly, tropical flair is ideal for summer celebrations, brunches, or any occasion where you want a light, refreshing drink.
The Bee’s Knees and Gold Rush are versatile enough to enjoy year-round, but they’re especially lovely in the spring and fall when their zesty, honeyed flavors can shine.
Honey Syrup Basics
While honey adds a lovely sweetness and texture to cocktails, it can sometimes be a bit thick for easy mixing. That’s where honey syrup comes in.
Making honey syrup is simple: just mix equal parts honey and warm water, stirring until smooth. This syrup dissolves easily into cocktails, giving all the honey flavor without the sticky consistency. Honey syrup is perfect for drinks like the Bee’s Knees, Gold Rush, and many others on this list.
Although making honey syrup is easy and affordable to make your own at home, pre-made honey syrup can be a convenient option. Brands like Monin and Torani make honey syrups specifically for cocktails, coffee, and tea, and you can often find these in the beverage or coffee section of larger stores or order them online.
Types of Honey and Choosing the Right One
Not all honey is created equal! Different types of honey can bring unique flavors to your cocktails.
- For a light, floral sweetness, go with clover or wildflower honey. These types are ideal for gin cocktails like the Bee’s Knees or for lighter rum drinks like the Air Mail.
- If you’re after a more robust flavor, try darker honeys, like buckwheat or manuka, which add earthy, rich notes. These pair wonderfully with bourbon in cocktails like the Gold Rush or even in smoky drinks like the Penicillin.
Honey-Flavored Spirits and Liqueurs
Liquors with a honey taste, like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, are popular for adding a smooth, sweet twist to the classic flavor of whiskey or other spirits. These honey-flavored spirits combine the warmth of whiskey or other spirits with the rich, natural sweetness of honey.
Other popular honey-flavored spirits include:
- Wild Turkey American Honey – A blend of Wild Turkey Bourbon and honey, known for its smooth finish and slightly spicy, honeyed flavor.
- Bushmills Irish Honey – An Irish whiskey infused with honey, offering a lighter, more floral honey flavor combined with the smoothness of Irish whiskey.
- Bärenjäger – A German honey liqueur made from natural honey and neutral spirits, delivering a rich, thick honey flavor with a hint of herbs.
- Evan Williams Honey – A Kentucky bourbon with honey, which combines a caramel sweetness with the warmth of bourbon and the smoothness of honey.
- Kruptnik Old Liqueur – A traditional Polish honey liqueur made from honey, various herbs and spices, it is often enjoyed neat but it is also perfect for cocktails.
