With summer heatwaves coming thick and fast, nothing is quite as satisfying or refreshing as quenching your thirst with a sweet drink. Iced coffees and milkshakes, mocktails, cocktails and more. A sweet treat will almost certainly go down well whenever - whether the sun is out or if it’s snowing.
However, one thing we’re wondering is have you ever considered swapping the sugar in your drinks for something a little more runny? There’s one simple swap that we love to make that we believe levels up drinks and takes the sweetness from a treat to a delight. That change, of course, is adding honey instead of granulated sugar.
From the frosty cold glasses during a July heatwave, to the warm mugs of tea before bed and everything in between, this is why you should consider ditching granulated sugar in favour of honey the next time you go to make yourself a drink.
First, is honey a good substitute for sugar in drinks?
Simply put, yes of course! Honey is a naturally produced sweetener, made by bees from the nectar of flowers, and requires minimal processing. Honey adds a little more to drinks than just sweetness, it also adds flavour. Different honeys come from bees foraging in different regions, on different flowers. This can mean each honey can taste more floral, fruity, or rich than other honeys. This can complement the drink you’re making perfectly.
Another great benefit of honey is that it tastes sweeter than sugar, meaning you won’t need to use as much. Whilst there’s no direct comparison table, you’ll find your drink reaching your desired sweetness with much less when using honey.
Honey is a great partner for so many natural ingredients too. Lemon, ginger, berries, mint, herbs and more. All of these ingredients make for great drinks, and honey helps to make them even more enjoyable. Its incredible versatility makes it perfect for adding to any drink, especially since it dissolves so well.
Although it is certainly a great alternative to refined sugar, honey is still a form of natural sugar, contains calories and should be enjoyed in moderation.
Drinks you can enjoy honey in
Cold drinks
Iced teas and coffees, honey water, fruit-infusions or smoothies and milkshakes. These are a few excellent ways you can enjoy the sweetness and subtle flavours of honey in your drinks, especially during the heatwaves we’re becoming increasingly familiar with! To make dissolving the honey a little easier, you can always mix it in a drop of warm water before adding it to your drink.
Here are some suggestions for cold drinks to make with honey:
Peanut Butter and Honey Thick Shake
Yogurt, Berries and Greek Honey Breakfast Smoothie
Hot drinks
Of course, honey isn’t just for cold drinks. It’s a fantastic addition to hot drinks too. It dissolves easily and is regularly enjoyed in everyday favourites, such as teas and coffees, or even just warm water with a splash of lemon.
Some warm drinks you can enjoy with honey include:
Tea - black or herbal
Coffee
Warm water with lemon and honey
Honey, lemon and ginger
Cocktails and mocktails
Take a classic cocktail and transform it into something just a little bit better. Honey is an extraordinarily easy swap for any cocktail or mocktail to keep the sweetness and add some new, unique flavours.
Impress guests at your party with the following recipes:
Swap any alcohol out for non-alcoholic versions to enjoy as a mocktail.
Give honey a go in your drinks
Pair your sweet, honey-infused drinks with some delicious summer treats for the ultimate barbecue or summer party. If you’re wondering what honey to use, we have a handy guide available here to help you choose from the huge range of honeys that are available.
Keep your eyes peeled for more recipes that we’ll be publishing over the summer to enjoy honey, and throughout the year as seasons change.
