Infused Honey
Infused Honey (Spiced Honey Recipe) – Looking for unique (and easy) holiday gift ideas? Today we’re showing How to Make Herb Infused Honey!
Why We Love Infused Honey
Have you ever opened different jars of honey and experienced a honey-tasting?
Honey can vary in taste and appearance, just as much as wines. The specific flavor and color are derived from the type of nectar the bees use.
Bees collect nectar from flowers grown in specific parts of the world, sometimes a wide array of flowers, and sometimes one specific variety. Therefore honey tastes slightly different in every region.
A few popular kinds of honey in the United States are clover, tupelo, orange blossom, alfalfa, and buckwheat… Although there are many more varieties available.
What the bees do with the nectar to produce honey is nothing short of a miracle. Bees pass the nectar from one to another, chewing it. The enzymes in their tummies break down the nectar into simple sugars. Then they spread it out and fan it with their wings to thicken it.
What an amazing production from such unassuming little creatures!
Infuse Honey with Herbs and Spices
It’s marvelous to have numerous nature-made types of honey at your fingertips. Certain honey works wonders in flavoring baked goods and dishes.
Yet if you don’t have access to different kinds of honey, you can flavor your own.
This is a kitchen trick I learned a long time ago and have recently started practicing again. Give your honey the essence of any herb, spice, or edible flower you like.
The natural flavors of the honey and the herbs will come together for a delicate waltz of sweet floral and earthy tones. You can then use your herbed-honey for baking, dressings, sauces, beverages, or simply drizzled over warm bread.
Herb Infused Honey makes a wonderful edible gift to give to friends around the holidays!
How to Make Infused Honey
What Ingredients You will need:
- 12-16 ounce jar of local honey
- ¼ cup fresh chopped herbs, any variety (2 tablespoons dried herbs)
How To Infuse Honey (Spiced Honey)
Place an open jar of honey in a small saucepan with 1-2 inches of water surrounding it. Heat the water until the honey is warm and very runny, but not boiling.
Carefully remove the jar and place the herbs in the jar with the honey.
Screw the lid back on the jar and shake the honey. Place the jar in a sunny window and allow it to sit for 1-5 days.
Reheat the jar, so the honey is very watery, then strain out the herbs.
Pro Tip: Although I show this process with fresh garden herbs, you can do the same thing with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg, or with edible flowers like rose petals and lavender.
Get The Full (Printable) Infused Honey Recipe with Tips and Tricks Below!
Honey FAQs
You can keep the infused honey in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Try using sage, lavender, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, hibiscus, and rose petals!
If you want to go for spicy honey try using: Red pepper flakes, habanero peppers, and fresh chili peppers/chili flakes are all good options.
Or use baking spices like: Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, or allspice. Here is a great easy hot honey recipe by Gimme Some Oven.
This has become my new favorite new condiment. My favorite ways to use this spiced honey recipe would be to drizzle it on top of cinnamon biscuits, fried chicken and waffles, bagels, pizza, or avocado toast with a pinch of salt. This pantry staple has become a great gift for Christmas or any other special occasion.
I do not usually suggest that you store honey in the fridge, because it quickens the crystallization of the honey. Leave in a cool dark pantry.
Looking for More Sweet Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
- Hot Honey Recipe
- Honey Cinnamon Cornbread Muffins
- Berry Crostata
- Yogurt Cheesecake
- Homemade Sopapillas
Check out the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages.
How to Make Infused Honey
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounce honey
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (any variety) or 2 tablespoons dried herbs
Instructions
- Place an open jar of honey in a small sauce pan with 1-2 inches of water surrounding it. Heat the water until the honey is warm and very runny, but not boiling.
- Screw the lid back on the jar and shake the honey. Place the jar in a sunny window and allow it to sit for 1-5 days.
- Reheat the jar, as directed in step 1, so the honey is very watery. Set a fine mesh strainer over a clean bowl. Pour the honey into the strainer removing the herbs. Then pour the strained honey back in the jar. Keep the infused honey in a cool, dark place.
We live in Oregon, so it’s rare we get a sunny window this time of year. Can it just sit?
Hi Mary!
Yes, that will work. :)
I need to make this.
So yummy – and such a great gift idea.