Easy Microwave Honey Simple Syrup Shortcut Recipe

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This microwave honey simple syrup shortcut is so easy and delicious, you’ll be making it all the time! Honey simple syrup is a great way to sweeten drinks and add that comforting honey flavor, quickly. This simple syrup hack is perfect for anyone who wants to use a flavored sweetener but doesn’t want to take the time to heat and cool a full batch of sugar syrup before using it in a recipe.

A bottle of bourbon on a table next to a small glass bowl of honey next to a cocktail shaker. — Let’s make this easy honey simple syrup shortcut!

An Easy Hack for Microwave Honey Simple

This shortcut recipe for honey simple syrup lets you use the microwave to speed up the whole process. But this little trick also shows you how to make enough for just one cocktail.

Like regular simple syrup, the ingredients are really simple. But making it with honey adds even more flavor. It’s so so good for whiskey or bourbon cocktails.

Honey can be a little too thick, especially when it’s cold. This trick allows it to mix in seamlessly with the other drink ingredients when shaken or stirred.

This recipe will shorten the time it takes to make your favorite cocktails and mixed drink recipes that need a sweetener. And it’s made with a natural sugar (but it’s not like we’re drinking cocktails to save calories – amIright?)

And you may not know this, but your honey will also help you with your hangover…

This honey simple syrup shortcut will work in any drink that calls for simple syrup, where you think the flavor of honey would pair well. It works any time of year but is especially great in fall and winter!

*Use this Microwave Simple Syrup recipe if you still want to shorten the time it takes to make a batch but you need it for more than one drink.

Ingredients

A glass of water next to a bottle shaped like a bear filled with honey. — What you need to make honey simple syrup in the microwave.

water
honey

There are a lot of different types of honey and they all work in this idea. Use whatever you have in your cupboard.

In terms of flavor, you can use whatever you like (except for truffle honey, which is a thing and is awesome on chicken tenders, but would be a little too savory in this). Orange Blossom Honey would be delish!

Honey also has lots of health advantages over sugar. Honey has a lower glycemic index which is better for blood-sugar levels. There are also more vitamins and minerals in honey than sugar. Honey has lots of great antioxidants, phenolic acids, and flavonoids too.

How to Make Microwave Honey Simple Syrup

Honey dripping off a measuring spoon into a small glass bowl on a table.

Step 1

Put the water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Add the honey.

Step 2

Microwave for about 8 seconds.

Step 3

Remove from microwave and stir. Let cool for a minute or two.

Step 4

Add to drink per the cocktail instructions.

Honey Simple Syrup Variations

There are so many variations you can apply to take this honey simple syrup shortcut to the next level! Here are a few of my favorite flavor hacks:

Flavors: Experiment with different flavors and more nuanced flavors of honey. Alfalfa honey is light with mild spicy notes. Blackberry honey is rich and fruity. Depending on what type you use in this honey simple syrup recipe, the flavor will change slightly.

Spicy: Use hot honey to give it a little kick! You can make your own hot honey by infusing honey with jalapenos or crushed red pepper then following the directions above. But it’s super easy to buy it too!

Top Tips

The key to making this honey simple syrup work for you is to ensure you let the simple syrup cool down enough before adding it to the cocktail ingredients. If it’s too warm, it will melt the ice quickly and dilute your drink.

When honey is heated it does lose some of it’s health properties so if that’s super important to you, consider heating it slower and mixing as you go until it’s a nice consistency.

A close up of a small bowl of honey on a table next to a bottle of bourbon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does honey simple syrup last?

In an air-tight container, honey simple syrup would last for about a month. You would want to cool it completely once mixed with the water before storing. But since this recipe only makes enough for one drink at a time, you don’t need to worry about storing it. You can make it fresh as you need it.

Is honey syrup 1 to 1 or 2 to 1?

I use 2 parts honey to 1 part warm water, but the ratio is very forgiving. For a more liquid syrup, you can use a 1 to 1 ratio.

Is honey syrup better than simple syrup?

Honey simple syrup has more flavor than traditional simple syrup. I suggest adding the syrup to your drink, taste test it, and add more simple honey syrup to fit your tastes.

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