6 Great Honey-Sweetened Drinks to Make This Holiday Season

The holidays are growing closer, so it’s time to start thinking of new, exciting, and flavorful ways to entertain your guests while tantalizing their tastebuds. There’s no more delicious way to celebrate than with a collection of drinks sweetened with the natural goodness of honey.

Honey adds a unique flavor to any beverage, and it’s also packed with plenty of health benefits. This year, whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or cozying up by the fireplace, choose honey to add a special touch to your celebrations. Here’s why you should think honey when you think of hot and cold beverages to serve, as well as six great honey-sweetened drinks to make this holiday season.

Why Choose Honey?

Embracing raw and unfiltered honey in your holiday cuisine repertoire presents the opportunity to indulge in a full spectrum of health benefits and flavors, enriching your holiday traditions and season.

Tradition and Uniqueness

Obviously, you can serve and please your guests with any kind of beverage during holiday parties, get-togethers, and other events, but honey has a special flavor all its own. It also has nostalgic value when combined with certain flavors. It beautifully complements so many other kinds of beverages, from alcoholic to nonalcoholic options. Plus, people have used honey as a natural sweetener for centuries.

Health Benefits

When you use raw and unfiltered honey, all the natural enzymes and nutrients remain intact, with no added fake and empty sugars. Unlike processed grocery store honey, which loses many of its natural qualities during pasteurization and filtering, raw and unfiltered honey retains all its beneficial properties.

Raw honey contains plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can boost your immune system. Moreover, raw honey is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. These attributes make it a helpful ally in soothing sore throats and combating seasonal colds and infections—perfect for the colder months.

The enzymes present in raw and unfiltered honey also aid digestion, helping to break down carbohydrates and sugars more effectively. Including this vitamin-rich sweetener in your festive drinks can provide a gentle digestive boost, ensuring you enjoy your holiday feast without discomfort.

Versatility

Alongside its health benefits, honey hosts a diverse universe of flavor profiles. Depending on the flowers and plants that the bees harvested, raw honey’s floral notes bring a nuanced sweetness to your beverages, complementing the stronger and headier spices often used in festive recipes.

By using honey that’s both raw and unfiltered, you’re tapping into a rich world of flavor variations, from subtle and light to robust and bold. Such diversity allows you to experiment by pairing specific honey types with certain drinks (and the treats and snacks that accommodate them).

Honey-Sweetened Drinks for the Holidays

Now, here are some great honey-sweetened drinks you can make this holiday season.

Honey Hot Toddy

A classic and traditional winter warmer, the hot toddy is perfect for chilly evenings and warm gatherings. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 tablespoon of raw and unfiltered honey
• 1 shot of whiskey
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• A cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. Pour the hot water into a mug.
2. Add the honey, whiskey, and lemon juice. Stir until the honey dissolves.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy your cozy drink by the fire.

Honey Matcha Latte

For a healthy and invigorating start to your holiday mornings, try a honey matcha latte.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
• 1 cup of milk (or plant-based milk)
• 1 tablespoon of raw and unfiltered honey
• Hot water

Instructions:

1. Sift the matcha powder into a bowl to remove any lumps.
2. Add a small amount of hot water and whisk until the paste becomes frothy.
3. Heat the milk until warm, then whisk in the honey.
4. Combine the matcha mixture and the honey milk and stir well.
5. Enjoy a vibrant and energizing drink!

 

Honey Mulled Wine

Ah, a tradition going back to the days of author Charles Dickens! Nothing brings life and conviviality to the holidays like a warm glass of mulled wine.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/4 cup of raw and unfiltered honey
• 1 orange, sliced
• 8 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the wine, honey, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
2. Heat over medium-low heat until warm (do not boil).
3. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Strain and serve warm, garnished with additional orange slices if you want.

Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

Holiday stress making you feel a bit under the weather? Revive yourself with honey lemon ginger tea. This soothing tea is perfect for calming your senses and boosting your immune system. Plus, ginger and honey add a sweet little kick that stirs the senses!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 tablespoon of raw and unfiltered honey
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• A few slices of fresh ginger

Instructions:

1. Place the ginger slices in a cup and pour the hot water over them.
2. Add the honey and lemon juice, stirring until the honey dissolves.
3. Allow the tea to steep for a few minutes before sipping slowly for a warm and comforting experience.

Honey Cinnamon Cappuccino

An eye-opener for coffee lovers, this honey-sweetened cappuccino adds a festive flair to your morning routine.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• 1 cup of steamed milk
• 1 tablespoon of raw and unfiltered honey
• A pinch of ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Brew the espresso and pour it into a cup.
2. Stir in the honey until it’s fully dissolved.
3. Pour steamed milk over the espresso, holding back the foam with a spoon and leaving ample room in the cup.
4. Top off the drink with a generous dollop of the reserved foam and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a delicious and aromatic treat.

 

Honey Apple Cider

Apple cider is a tasty treat during autumn’s chill and winter’s frigidity. This warm cider is comforting and bursting with fall flavor all year round.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 1/4 cup of raw and unfiltered honey
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the apple cider, honey, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
2. Heat over medium-low heat until warm, stirring occasionally.
3. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse the cider.
4. Strain and serve warm, garnished with apple slices if you wish.

Sweeten the Holidays With Honey

Those are just six great honey-sweetened drinks to make this holiday season. Add a touch of natural sweetness and warmth to your holiday celebrations with honey—and don’t be afraid to go beyond the beverages. Honey is fantastic in marinades, dressings, and more.

Ready to explore more ways to incorporate honey into your life? Get in touch today!