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Updated: January 14, 2026
Honey syrup is one of my favorite essential ingredients to keep in my home bar and kitchen. This recipe’s rich 3:1 ratio is thick, glossy, and adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor that you simply don’t get from regular simple syrup. Whether you’re mixing a Gold Rush, a Bee’s Knees, drizzling into iced tea, or sweetening your favorite honey latte, this homemade honey syrup is such an easy way to elevate your drinks.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses pure honey or your favorite organic honey, creating a natural sweetener that’s full of natural enzymes and great flavor.
- The 3:1 ratio in this recipe blends beautifully into cold drinks, cocktail bars classics, hot teas, and even mixed drinks.
- It dissolves easily, leaving no sticky blob at the bottom of your cup.
- Takes less than 5 minutes to make and stores beautifully in a mason jar or glass bottle.
What Does Honey Syrup Taste Like?
Simply put, this recipe tastes like a lighter honey! The 3:1 ratio in the recipe below leaves the syrup lush, velvety, and deeply flavored. It highlights the flavor of whichever type of honey you use, from a floral grade A wildflower honey to a bold buckwheat variety. If you want strong honey notes in a drink recipe, this is the best flavor ratio.
Different Ratios of Honey Syrup (1:1 vs 2:1 vs 3:1)
1:1 Honey Syrup (Equal Parts Honey + Water)
This ratio is closest to the texture of regular simple syrup. Since this is a thinner syrup, it is great for:
- light teas
- lemonade
- iced coffee
- cold drinks that need fast mixing
2:1 Honey Syrup (2 Parts Honey + 1 Part Water)
A balanced middle point. This ratio is great for:
- cocktails that want honey flavor without heaviness
- coffee drinks
- mocktails
3:1 Honey Syrup (3 Parts Honey + 1 Part Water)
This ratio is great for bourbon recipes. This ratio also stores the longest because there is less water. The 3:1 ratio I recommend here is great for:
- specialty cocktails (Bee’s Knees, Gold Rush, Hot Honey Syrup variations)
- drinks that need body or weight
- drizzling over desserts
- adding depth to homemade syrups infused with lavender flowers, cinnamon sticks, or chili peppers
Ingredients for 3:1 Honey Syrup
This recipe is so easy to make and uses the following simple ingredients:
- 1 cup honey – Use raw honey, clover honey, or a floral wildflower honey for the best flavor. Different types of honey create different varieties of honey syrup.
- ⅓ cup warm water – Helps the honey dissolve gently without destroying its natural enzymes. Warm water (not boiling!) keeps the flavor bright.
How to Make 3:1 Honey Syrup
This is such a simple syrup recipe and a fantastic starting point for building your own honey syrup variations.
STEP 1: Warm the Water – Warm ⅓ cup of water in a kettle or microwave. Do not boil, just heat until warm (about 120°F / 49°C). Set aside.
STEP 2: Combine Honey & Water – In a mixing glass or small saucepan, combine: 1 cup honey and ⅓ cup warm water.
STEP 3: Mix Until Smooth – Stir with a spoon until the honey dissolves and the mixture becomes silky and fully combined. This only takes about 30 seconds.
STEP 4: Store – Pour into an airtight container, covered container, or glass bottle. A mason jar works perfectly!
How to Store Honey Syrup
You can store your homemade syrup in a mason jar, a glass bottle, any airtight container with a physical label noting the date it was made. This honey syrup can store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks since it uses more pure honey and less water than the 1:1 or 2:1 ratio syrups.
More Syrup Favorites from Elicit Folio
Below you will find more of my favorite simple syrup recipes:
FAQ
Can I make this sugar-free?
Not exactly. Honey is the natural sweetener itself. But this is a healthier alternative to white sugar simple syrup.
Can I warm the honey on high heat?
No. High or boiling heat removes natural enzymes and health benefits. Stick to low heat or warm water.
Does this work in cold drinks?
Yes! Honey syrup dissolves beautifully in iced coffee, iced tea, and cold beverages.
Can I infuse this honey syrup?
Yes! Some of my favorite infusions are lavender flowers, cinnamon sticks, chili peppers, or citrus peels.
Honey Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup Honey
- ⅓ cup Warm Water
Instructions
- Warm ⅓ cup of water in a kettle or microwave. Do not boil, just heat until warm (about 120°F / 49°C). Set aside.
- In a mixing glass or small saucepan, combine: 1 cup honey and ⅓ cup warm water.
- Stir with a spoon until the honey dissolves and the mixture becomes silky and fully combined. This only takes about 30 seconds.
- Pour into an airtight container, covered container, or glass bottle. A mason jar works perfectly!
Nutrition
Quick Honey Syrup Video Tutorial
Craving More?
If you make this honey syrup recipe, I’d love to see how you use it! Tag me on Instagram @elicitfolio, leave a comment, or follow along on Pinterest for more delicious recipes, drink ideas, and homemade syrup favorites. You inspire me every day in the kitchen.
I made this for a vanilla poke cake recipe I have. I drizzled it over the cake and added some honey to the frosting. Om nom nom.
YUM, this looks delicious and I bet it would taste great on some pancakes or drizzled over some freshly baked cupcakes
A simple syrup that tastes amazing, it’s easy to do, and much healthier than the ones from the store. Thanks for the recipe!!
This looks so easy and delicious. I love a good homemade syrup, and honey is such a game changer. Definitely trying this!
Honey works better for me as a sweetener instead of sugar. This is new, and it’s good to know I can store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks.