How to Make Herb-Infused Honey (Easy Flavored Combinations to Try)

Between baking projects and endless cups of herbal tea, I realized I could never keep enough honey stocked in my pantry. Then I discovered how fun it is to infuse different herbs and spices into basic honey for more flavor. Who knew a humble jar could turn wildflower or orange blossom varieties into something custom and unique?

While I enjoy farmer's market finds, I love dreaming up my own combinations featuring plants from my garden or pantry. Gently warming quality raw honey allows vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, lavender sprigs, or lemon thyme to swirl below for wonderfully easy infusions. Getting to create herb-infused flavored honey suited to personal taste makes honey even more special.

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Why Make Herb-Infused Flavored Honey?

Infused honey brings together the benefits of herbs with the sweetness of raw honey. You get all the rich flavors of your favorite garden herbs and the soothing properties of honey in one beautiful jar. Better still, you can customize it with the herbs you grow and love.

Whether you're aiming to soothe a sore throat, elevate your tea ritual, or give a thoughtful gift, infused honey is both useful and meaningful.

What You'll Need to Make Herb-Infused Honey

• Raw, local honey (for best flavor and benefits)
• Your favorite culinary herbs (fresh or dried)
• A clean, dry Mason jar with a lid
• Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer

The Basic Process

Infusing honey with herbs is a simple process that uses either time or gentle heat to extract the flavor and beneficial properties of herbs. Here's how it works:

1. Add herbs to a clean glass jar.
2. Cover completely with honey.
3. Seal the jar and let it sit in a sunny window or warm location.
4. Shake gently every day or so.
5. After 1 to 2 weeks, strain out the herbs and store the honey in a clean jar.

Infusions using fresh herbs should be monitored carefully and used more quickly due to moisture content. Dried herbs tend to keep longer.

Herb Ideas for Infusing Honey

Some herbs work especially well in honey infusions because they pair nicely with sweetness and have aromatic qualities. Try experimenting with:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Spearmint
• Chamomile
• Thyme
• Lemon balm
• Ginger root (for a spicy kick)

Choose one herb at a time or combine a few to create your own blend. Make sure your herbs are clean and completely dry to avoid introducing moisture into your honey.

My Favorite Honey Infusions

I've tested and loved several combinations over the years. Each one brings its own charm and purpose to the pantry. Here are some of my favorite single-herb recipes:

• Rosemary Honey Recipe: Earthy and fragrant, rosemary adds a bold note to honey. This one is great for drizzling over roasted vegetables or stirred into herbal tea.
• Lavender Honey Recipe: A gentle floral option, lavender-infused honey is perfect for tea, toast, or homemade baked goods.
• Spearmint Honey (coming soon): Refreshing and cooling, spearmint honey is ideal for sweetening iced tea, herb-infused water or lemonade.

How to Use Herb-Infused Honey

Once you've made your herbal honey, use it anywhere you’d normally reach for a spoonful of sweetness:

• Stir into tea or coffee
• Glaze roasted vegetables
• Drizzle over ricotta toast or cornbread
• Swirl into yogurt or oatmeal
• Spoon into cocktails or mocktails
• Add to marinades and salad dressings

Safety and Storage Tips

Store infused honey in a sealed jar in a cool, dry cupboard. Dried herb infusions can last up to a year. If using fresh herbs, aim to use the honey within 3 months and always check for cloudiness or signs of fermentation.

Always use clean, dry utensils to avoid introducing moisture or contaminants into your jar.

More Flavored Honey Ideas

Looking for inspiration beyond rosemary and lavender? Try infusing your honey with:

• Rose-infused honey using rose petals
• Vanilla honey
• Clover honey
• Cinnamon sticks
• Lemon or orange zest
• Star anise
• Crushed cardamom pods

You can even combine herbs and spices for blends like:

• Chamomile and vanilla
• Thyme and lemon zest
• Ginger and orange peel

Making herb-infused honey is one of the easiest ways to use your garden harvest and pantry staples. It’s endlessly customizable, beautiful to give as a gift, and full of flavor. Whether you’re stocking up for cold season or elevating your afternoon tea, a small jar of infused honey adds a homemade touch that’s both practical and indulgent.

Drizzle over fresh fruit, swirl into vanilla ice cream, glaze carrots, or incorporate into favorite recipes, like my Floral butter recipe - with a pinch of creativity, herbal honey options feel truly endless. I hope you'll join me in exploring fresh possibilities and more herb-forward recipes!

Ready to try your own? Start with one of the recipes above or create your own blend. And if you make a version you love, I’d be thrilled to hear about it.

For more ways to use herbs in the kitchen, visit the Herb Index and browse by plant or purpose.