Mixing honey with whiskey is a common practice that many whiskey drinkers enjoy. The sweet flavor of honey combines nicely with the rich, smoky flavors of whiskey. While unconventional, adding a touch of honey to whiskey can elevate the drink and create an interesting cocktail. However, there are some things to consider before mixing honey with your favorite whiskey.
Does Honey Go Well with Whiskey?
In general, honey does pair well with many styles of whiskey. The sweetness helps tame the burn of the alcohol and accentuates the vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak flavors. Honey has a mild flavor that allows the nuances of the whiskey to still come through.
That said, the success of mixing honey with whiskey depends on a few factors:
- The style of whiskey – Honey goes best with bourbons, Tennessee whiskey, and sweeter single malt scotches. It does not pair as well with smoky Islay scotches or rye whiskeys.
- The flavor profile of the honey – Mild honeys like wildflower and clover work best. Strong flavored honeys like buckwheat can overwhelm the whiskey.
- The amount of honey used – Just a teaspoon or tablespoon is usually enough. Too much honey may make the drink overly sweet.
As long as these factors are balanced, honey can be a delicious whiskey mixer. It brings out the sweet, wood, and vanilla flavors.
Popular Ways to Mix Honey and Whiskey
Here are some of the most common ways honey is mixed with whiskey:
Whiskey & Honey Shot
This simple shot involves pouring a teaspoon or two of honey into a glass and topping it with 1-2 ounces of whiskey. The honey coats the glass so the whiskey gently picks up its flavor. Bottoms up!
Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is a classic cold weather cocktail made with honey, lemon, hot water, and whiskey. The honey soothes the throat and provides natural sweetness. Make one by combining:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1-2 ounces bourbon or Tennessee whiskey
- 4-6 ounces hot water
Stir until the honey dissolves then garnish with a lemon slice if desired.
Honey Old Fashioned
For a twist on the iconic old fashioned, use honey instead of sugar. Add:
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye
- 1⁄2 ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and water heated until dissolved)
- 2-3 dashes bitters
- Orange twist garnish
Stir over ice and enjoy this smooth, nuanced cocktail.
Honey Whiskey Sour
Honey gives the whiskey sour a nest twist. Shake together:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3⁄4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1⁄2 ounce honey syrup
- Ice
Pour into a rocks glass and garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
What Whiskeys Pair Best with Honey?
As mentioned above, honey pairs best with certain whiskey styles. Here are some recommended whiskeys to mix with honey:
Bourbon
Bourbon’s sweet, oaky flavor profile makes it a natural fit for honey. Try mixing honey with popular bourbons like:
- Maker’s Mark
- Woodford Reserve
- Jim Beam
- Bulleit
- Knob Creek
Tennessee Whiskey
The Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel brands of Tennessee whiskey also work well with honey. The charcoal filtering gives them a smoothness that balances with honey.
Scotch
For scotch whisky, stick to sweeter Speyside or Highland malts. Some examples include:
- Glenfiddich 12 Year
- Macallan 12 Year
- Glenmorangie 10 Year
Avoid heavily peated Islay scotches, as the smoke will clash with the honey.
Should You Avoid Any Whiskeys with Honey?
There are a few styles of whiskey that do not pair well with honey:
Rye Whiskey
Rye whiskey has a spicy, peppery flavor that can clash with honey. The honey sweetness gets lost behind the rye spice.
Islay Scotch
Islay scotches like Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg have intense medicinal, smoky flavors. The peat smoke tends to overpower honey rather than complement it.
Irish Whiskey
Most Irish whiskeys have a light and floral quality that does not blend seamlessly with honey. However, a teaspoon of honey can help soften Irish whiskeys like Jameson and Bushmills.
What Kind of Honey Should You Use with Whiskey?
When selecting a honey for cocktails, stick with a mild, subtle variety. Strong flavored honeys can overpower the whiskey rather than accentuate it. Some top choices include:
Wildflower Honey
This light, sweet honey from various wildflowers lets the flavors of the whiskey shine.
Clover Honey
One of the most popular honeys, clover offers a delicate flavor perfect for whiskey drinks.
Orange Blossom Honey
Orange blossom honey has a tangy citrus note that livens up whiskey cocktails.
Acacia Honey
Acacia honey has a gentle, floral quality that won’t compete with whiskey’s rich flavors.
In general, the National Honey Board recommends using a high-quality, raw honey that has not been excessively processed or heated. This preserves the subtle flavors and aromas that enhance mixed drinks.
How Much Honey Should You Add to Whiskey?
When it comes to honey and whiskey, less is often more. Just a small amount of honey is needed to provide an accent of sweetness.
For whiskey cocktails, the National Honey Board recommends:
- 1 teaspoon of honey for every 1-2 ounces of whiskey
For shots, a teaspoon or two is also plenty to lightly coat the inside of a shot glass before adding the whiskey.
Too much honey can make drinks cloyingly sweet and sticky. The honey flavor will also become overbearing, masking the taste of quality whiskey.
Does Adding Honey to Whiskey Change the ABV?
Adding a small amount of honey to whiskey will not significantly change the alcohol by volume (ABV). A teaspoon of honey mixed into a standard shot of whiskey (1.5 oz) only minimally dilutes the whiskey’s ABV down from around 40% to roughly 38-39%.
To noticeably alter the ABV, you would need to add at least 1-2 ounces of honey into a shot, which would overly sweeten the drink. So in practice, the ABV remains close to the whiskey’s original proof when adding just a touch of honey.
Should You Mix Honey and Whiskey in Advance?
For cocktails like hot toddies or old fashioneds, it’s best to mix the honey and whiskey right before drinking. This retains the fresh flavors and prevents dilution over time.
However, you can make a honey whiskey ahead of time by:
- Getting a clean glass bottle, like an empty whiskey bottle.
- Adding 4-5 ounces of honey then filling the rest with whiskey.
- Letting the mixture infuse for 1-2 weeks out of direct light.
- Tasting occasionally until the desired honey flavor emerges.
Shake before use since the honey will settle at the bottom. The honey infusion can then be enjoyed neat, on ice, or in cocktails.
Does Honey Extend the Shelf Life of Whiskey?
On its own, whiskey has an indefinite shelf life when stored properly in a cool, dark place. The same goes for pure honey – it never really expires. So logically, mixing the two together should also make for a long-lasting product.
However, shelf life depends greatly on the circumstances. If not stored in an airtight container, some subtle evaporation can occur over time along with oxidation. This may gradually degrade the flavor. The real risk is mold growth if water gets introduced through condensation or dripping.
Overall, the shelf life of a honey whiskey mix is likely upwards of 2-3 years if sealed in a bottle and stored appropriately away from heat and light. But best quality is achieved by enjoying it within several months. Proper storage helps maximize shelf life.
Does Adding Honey Make Whiskey Healthier?
While honey does contain some beneficial compounds like antioxidants, any health advantage is marginal at best. Keep in mind:
- Honey loses some nutrients when mixed into whiskey cocktails or infusions.
- The amount of honey added is minor compared to the whiskey.
- Honey is still sugar and contains calories without much fiber or protein.
- Whiskey itself provides no nutrients and contains alcohol.
So in short – don’t expect miracles from adding a bit of honey! Whiskey drinks still need to be enjoyed in moderation.
Can You Use Honey Whiskey in Cocktails and Drinks?
Absolutely! Honey whiskey makes for an excellent addition to many cocktail recipes. The honey notes provide a touch of natural sweetness that enhances whiskey’s flavors.
Consider swapping honey whiskey in for plain whiskey in these drink recipes:
- Old fashioned
- Mint julep
- Manhattan
- Whiskey smash
- Boulevardier
- Whiskey sour
The honey whiskey can replace plain whiskey 1:1 in cocktail recipes. Shake, stir, and strain as normal. Garnish with citrus peels to accentuate the honey.
Does Adding Honey Make Whiskey Sweeter?
Yes, adding honey to whiskey does make the resulting drink sweeter. Honey contains natural sugars fructose and glucose that give it a light sweetness.
However, when mixed properly, the sweetness should be subtle. Just 1 teaspoon of honey contains about 5 grams of sugar. Mixed into a 1.5 ounce whiskey drink, that keeps the sweetness in balance.
Too much honey will lead to an overly sweet drink. Use a light hand and add to taste when mixing honey whiskey combinations.
Can You Add Honey to Bottled Whiskey?
It’s possible to add honey directly to a bottle of whiskey to create a honey infusion over time. However, some considerations include:
- Only use clean, airtight bottles to prevent contamination.
- Pre-mix the honey with a bit of whiskey before adding to avoid clumping.
- Store out of direct light and heat to avoid degradation.
- Consume within 1-2 months for best flavor.
- Shake bottle before pouring as honey settles.
- Do not add honey to special vintage or expensive bottles.
Instead of the bottle, it may be better to mix individual honey whiskey drinks as needed. Or create larger batched cocktails for parties.
Does Adding Honey Improve Cheap Whiskey?
It’s a common notion that adding honey can help improve the flavor of lower-quality, cheap whiskeys. And there’s some truth to that.
A bit of honey can help mask the harshness of cheaper whiskeys and make them go down smoother. The honey provides extra sweetness and a coating effect that tones down the burn of young, rough whiskeys.
However, the improvement is minor. Truly poor quality whiskey will still come through, and the honey can only do so much. For significant improvement, choose at least a decent whiskey to mix with honey.
Can You Make Your Own Honey Whiskey?
Making your own honey whiskey at home is a fun DIY project. The basic process is:
- Get a clean, sealed bottle such as an empty whiskey bottle.
- Add approximately 1/2 cup of a mild honey such as wildflower or clover.
- Pour in whiskey to fill the rest of the bottle.
- Seal bottle and let infuse out of light for 1-2 weeks.
- Taste occasionally until desired sweetness is reached.
- Strain if needed to remove any sediment.
Be sure to use a quality whiskey, and consider finishing blends like bourbon or Tennessee whiskey rather than harsh mixing whiskies. The result will be a custom infused honey whiskey to enjoy straight or in cocktails.
Conclusion
Honey and whiskey can make for delightful pairings when used properly. The key is selecting complementary styles of whiskey and honey and using a delicate hand. Too much honey overwhelms, while too little provides no benefit at all.
With the right honey-to-whiskey ratio and a quality base spirit, the sweetness of honey serves to accentuate whiskey’s existing notes. This transforms an ordinary whiskey into a more nuanced, sippable delight.
So don’t be afraid to experiment with a touch of honey in your next whiskey drink. You may just find a new favorite cocktail or whiskey nightcap.