Easy Herb-Infused Honey in 7 Simple Steps

Picture this: velvety lavender honey perfect for drizzling over fluffy pancakes on a lazy Sunday morning…a chamomile-infused honey for a cozy bedtime tea. What about a zesty rosemary-infused honey to add a burst of flavor to your favorite roasted veggies or flatbread, or a spicy chili-infused honey to add kick to your cocktails? Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, infusing your honey with herbs is a simple way to inspire and captivate your culinary senses. The possibilities are really as endless as your imagination and your access to herbs. 

Ingredients and Tools

• Honey: Choose a high-quality, raw honey for the best flavor and health benefits. Lighter honeys will let the herb flavor shine through more. 
• Dried herbs: Popular choices include lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint. If using fresh herbs, ensure they are completely dry first. 
• Clean jar: Any size will do, depending on how much honey you want to infuse.
• Pot for gentle heating: Some prefer to gently warm the honey to speed up the infusion process and ensure a more pronounced flavor.
• Sieve or cheesecloth to strain the herbs out at the end (optional). 

Instructions

STEP 1

Sterilize your jar: To prevent any chance of bacterial growth in your finished herbed honey, it’s a good idea to sterilize your jar and lid by boiling them in water for 10 minutes and then letting them air dry completely.

STEP 2

Prep your herbs: If using fresh herbs, thoroughly wash and dry them to remove any moisture. If using dried herbs, measure out the amount you need. A general guideline is to use about 1 tablespoon of dried herbs or 2-3 tablespoons of fresh herbs per cup of honey, but feel free to adjust according to taste. Place your herbs into your sterilized jar. 

STEP 3 (Optional)
Warm the honey: Gently warm your honey in a pot over low heat until it becomes runny but not hot. This can help the honey more easily combine with the herbs but is not necessary. Avoid overheating, as high temperatures can destroy the beneficial enzymes in raw honey.

STEP 4
Combine honey and herbs: Pour the honey over the herbs in the jar, making sure the herbs are fully covered. If the herbs float to the top, no worries; you can stir them back in later once the honey settles.

STEP 5
Seal, store and wait for the magic to happen! Make sure the lid is tight and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 1-4 weeks, or longer if you want a stronger flavour. Taste the honey periodically and strain it once it reaches your desired flavor strength.

STEP 6 (Optional)
Strain the Herbs: Once the infusion has reached the potency you want, you can strain the herbs out of the honey using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. This step is optional; some prefer to leave the herbs in the honey for continued infusion and visual appeal.

STEP 7
Store the Infused Honey: Keep your herb-infused honey in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place. It should last for many months or longer. If the honey crystallizes over time, gently warm the jar in a water bath to liquefy the honey again.

Our hot tips for your honey… 

• Choose your herbs wisely. Different herbs can offer different flavors and benefits. Experiment with combinations or stick to single herbs for a distinct flavor. Our faves are local foraged spruce tips, dried ginger slices, or basil from mom’s garden. 
• Remember to use dried herbs. The flavour is more concentrated in dried herbs and they are less likely to introduce moisture and bacteria into the honey, which can lead to spoilage.
• Herb-infused honeys make excellent homemade gifts. Consider adding a cute little label with the date and type of infusion, and pair it with a tea blend or fresh bread for someone you want to impress!
• Get creative. Enjoy your herb-infused honey in various ways, appreciating the unique flavors and aromas the herbs bring to the sweetness of the honey. 

How long will herb-infused honey last? 

The shelf life of your herb-infused honey may vary depending on the quality and freshness of ingredients used and the way it is stored. Provided that you store it in a cool, dark place with no direct sunlight, your herbed honey should last a pretty long time before it begins to spoil. If you want to extend the life of your herb-infused honey, pop it into the fridge! Give it a visual inspection and sniff test every once in a while, and you’ll know if bacteria have begun to colonize your herbed honey. The biggest risk factors for spoiling your herbed honey are using fresh herbs that haven't completely or properly dried first, or storing the honey in a warm spot or where sunlight can reach it. 

Organic raw local honey for the best results 

Now that you know how to make herb-infused honey, all you need is some honey and herbs to get started. If you feel inspired, learn how to forage spruce tips or wild mint for your infusion into our local honey. Find Kitako Lake Honey at a retailer in Saskatchewan near you, or visit our online store!