How to Make and Use Herb Infused Honey

Infused honey is so easy to make and tastes absolutely amazing. Learn how to make herb infused honey to add some delicious spice to your cakes, on pancakes and in your favourite hot drink.

Herb Infused Honey

With just a couple of  ingredients and a bit of patience while the flavours come together, you can enjoy this delicious infused honey in tea, coffee, on toast and more. It adds a lovely warm, flower or herbal (depending on the herbs you use) flavour taking your dishes and drinks to the next level!

This simple herbed honey is usually steeped over a period of time of 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the desired strength of the infusion is needed. The longer it sits, the stronger then flavour and if adding herbs for medicinal benefits, the stronger this will be.

Uses can include:

• Boosting immunity
• Improving digestion
• Lowering blood pressure which makes it great for diabetics
• Improving cholesterol levers
• Fighting infections and healing wounds
• When applied to the skin, cinnamon infused hey can help treat acne, and alleviate fungal infections
• Help relieve coughing and soothe the throat
• Help destroy bacteria that causes bladder infections
• Help with arthritis pain when rubbed into inflamed joints

Though any honey can be used, the best honey is raw honey as it has wonderful health benefits. Many use a light, mild honey as the flavour of the herbs will be more noticeable.

NOTE: It is suggested that children under two years of age should not eat honey. Do your research on this!

Infused Honey Ideas

Herbs and honey are both beneficial on their own, though when they are combined together they can help with numerous different ailments. Depending on the herbs that are used, they have different medicinal uses.

• Sage infused honey – Helps with relieving the pain and inflammation of a sore throat and coughs. This is a good choice for charcuterie boards or to drizzle over cheese.
• Chamomile infused honey – Helps promote relaxation with its anti-anxiety properties. Great for baked goods and tea.
• Echinacea infused honey – Helps tackle cold and flu symptoms
• Elderberry infused honey – Helps with boosting the immune system
• Elderflower infused honey – Helps with an upset stomach and cold and flu symptoms. Great for baked goods, teas and cocktails.
• Elecampane root infused honey – Helps with coughs and tightness of breath.
• Astragalus root infused honey  – Helps with stress
• Thyme infused honey – Great for salad dressings and marinades.
• Valerian root infused honey – Helps promote sleep. Has a strong flavour, so make a small amount to start with and test to see if you like it.
• Lavender infused honey – Has a calming affect. Tastes delicious with a lovely floral flavour.
• Willow bark infused honey – Used traditionally to help with pain, fever and inflammation.
• Lemon Balm, Lavender, Catnip and Motherwort – Helps with stress and sleep
• Ginger and Fennel, Lemon Balm, Mints – Peppermint and Spearmint – Helps with digestive issues

Dried or Fresh Herbs

Dried herbs are the best to use, especially if you are making infused honey to give as gifts and if you want it to be shelf stable.

If you are making infused honey for yourself, which you will then keep in the fridge, then fresh herbs could be used. The honey in this situation could then ferment, so it will then be great for recipes that use fermented honey.

Honey is usually a low oxygen environment, though as by adding a little bit of moisture to it, this changes and the growth of bacteria, fungus, botulism and more can take place. This moisture can happen from things such as fresh herbs, and wet utensils.

Using Herb Infused Honey

Depending on the herbs that are used, you can use herb infused honey in many applications including:

• Sweeten tea or coffee
• Flavour lemonade
• Stir into salad dressings and marinades
• Serve with a cheese platter
• Pour over oatmeal 
• Drizzle over figs and cheese
• Pour over poached pears
• Drizzle over pancakes
• Top waffles with infused honey
• Spread on toast
• Can be added to cakes, breads, and biscuits
• Pour over roasted butternut squash
• Give as gifts to friends and family
• Spoon onto yoghurt and fruit 

For this herbal honey, take a small amount when you are feeling sick or have a sore throat.

You can eat the garlic and herbs from the honey, add it to tea, or simply eat a spoonful.

Slow / No Heat Method

The slow method of infusing the honey with herbs, takes time but due to not heating the honey, it preserves all the natural benefits that are in honey.

By all means, check the honey once a week or so and if you find that you enjoy the herbal taste, then strain and use. If not, allow it to continue to infuse for another week.

Faster / Gentle Heating Method

The faster method of infusing honey is done by gently heating the honey over a period of time. Due to slowly heating the honey, some of the benefits may be destroyed.

Infused Honey Variations 

Honey can be infused with a variety of different ingredients, with each ingredients adding different benefits. 

When making infused honey, use about 3-6 teaspoons of dried herbs or spices to 1 to 2 cups of raw honey. If using fresh herbs, try using 6 – 12 teaspoons per cup of honey. The less honey that is used, the stronger the taste will be.

Here are some ideas:

• Onion, garlic and ginger for when you feel a cold coming on
• Lavender
• Rose Petals
• Lemon Balm
• Chamomile
• Basil
• Cranberries
• Chilli
• Calendula
• Whole Cloves
• Ginger
• Sage
• Star Anise
• Hibiscus / Rosella
• Dried Orange Peel
• Mint
• Vanilla
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Instead of using cinnamon sticks, try using ground cinnamon, though this could get bitter.

Storing Herb Infused Honey

Once the infusion is complete, store in an airtight glass jar such as a small mason jar. 

Store out of direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place such as a cupboard or pantry.

When dry herbs are used in this recipe, this honey should last at least a year or more. Real honey doesn’t expire. It is when other ingredients are added to it, that can cause the honey to ferment or go bad.

If using fresh herbs, the honey will need to be kept in the fridge. Make sure to monitor for signs of fermenting or spoiling and replace as needed.

If you find that the honey is becoming thin, there is a chance that it has absorbed some moisture and the contents of the jar should be disposed of.

If the honey begins to crystallise, place the sealed jar in a small saucepan with a few inches of warm water and turn the heat on to low. Gradually, the crystals should dissolve. Remove when done. Do not rush this process.

Ingredients for Making Infused Honey

To make this infused honey, you will need:

• 1 Cup Raw Honey
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Garlic
• Sage
• Glass Jar with lid

Making Herbal Infused Honey

Slow Method

Wash and dry the herbs. Peel the garlic.

In a small glass jar, add garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage, enough to fill about halfway.

Fill the jar up to about ½ inch below the rim with honey. 

Stir, tap the sides or use a knife to make sure all the air bubbles are out and that the herbs are completely covered in honey.

Screw on the lid. 

Place the jar in a dry, dark place or cupboard.

Gently flip the jar upside down and shake once a day to move the honey around.

Let the honey infuse for up to four weeks.

Once ready, strain the honey .

The herbs can also be left in the honey for more flavour.

Store in a clean glass jar. 

As this herbal infused honey contains garlic which is not dried, it should be stored in the fridge. If you only use dry herbs, then it should be shelf stable as long as it has been prepared correctly.

Faster/ Gentle Heating Method

Wash and dry the herbs. Peel the garlic.

In a small glass jar, add garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage, enough to fill about halfway.

Fill the jar up to about ½ inch below the rim with honey. 

Stir, tap the sides or use a knife to make sure all the air bubbles are out and that the herbs are completely covered in honey.

Place in a double boiler.

Gently heat the honey, warming the honey and the herbs for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Make sure that the honey does not come to a boil.

Turn off the heat and allow to steep for another 1 or 2 hours depending on how strong you want the infused honey to be.

Remove from the double boiler and strain the honey to remove the herbs.

The herbs can also be left in the honey for more flavour.

Store in a clean glass jar.

As this herbal infused honey contains garlic which is not dried, it should be stored in the fridge. If you only use dry herbs, then it should be shelf stable as long as it has been prepared correctly.

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