This recipe for Honeysuckle Simple Syrup uses foraged wild honeysuckle in a sweet simple syrup that is perfect for cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, and more!
The honeysuckle came late this year. I’ve been watching for it for weeks and weeks, but the long, wet winter pushed back this wildflower’s blossoming time.
And then– quite suddenly– there was honeysuckle everywhere.
If you’re in the middle of a honeysuckle bloom, and want to capture the flavor and scent of these edible wildflowers– this syrup is for you.
This easy Honeysuckle Simple Syrup is a sweet, floral sweetener that’s perfect for cocktails, lemonade, and tea.
What is honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle is a flowering vine that has spread it’s way across the planet– weaving it’s invasive roots across America and into my backyard.
And probably your backyard.
Is Honeysuckle Edible?
Honeysuckle flowers contain an edible, sweet nectar.
The berries are mildly poisonous– so avoid them. (The berries on the variety of honeysuckle near me appear at a different time of year than the flowers do, so avoiding the berries shouldn’t be an issue.)
For this recipe, we’ll be infusing a sugar-water mixture with the flowers, allowing the nectar to soak into the syrup, and then discarding the flowers.
How Can I Forage Honeysuckle?
I usually carry a bucket and a pair of scissors, and just trim away flowers from the vine.
For tips on foraging for and cleaning honeysuckle, check out this post: Honeysuckle Vodka.
What is a Simple Syrup? What’s the Sugar to Water Ratio?
Simple syrup is made with equal parts sugar and water. For a plain simple syrup, you heat the water until the sugar dissolves into the water. For this honeysuckle simple syrup, we’re adding honeysuckle into the mixture.
How do you make a floral infused simple syrup?
To make a simple syrup that’s infused with flowers or herbs, you add the plants to the sugar water, heat the water, and simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes.
Then, if the flavor you’re infusing is very delicate (like with honeysuckle), you’ll let the plants sit in the syrup for about an hour before straining out the plants.
You can also make fabulous infused simple syrup with lavender and mint.
How Can I Use this Honeysuckle Simple Syrup?
Add this syrup to lemonade, iced tea, hot herbal tea (like chamomile or mint), or cocktails.
Try swapping the honeysuckle syrup for the simple syrups in these recipes:
Honeysuckle Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup honeysuckle flowers, stems + leaves removed
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 naval orange peel, organic + unwaxed prefered
Instructions
- Clean honeysuckle by dipping them into a bowl of cold water. Set aside.
- Add the sugar, water, flowers, and orange peel to a small pot, and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.Note: You're only using the orange peel. You can eat the orange.
- Remove pot from heat, and let the flowers steep for 1 hour.
- Pour the mixture through a mesh sieve into a glass jar or other container. Store in the fridge for up to a year.
Sarah
This syrup is so ridiculously good! I love it in a mint julep- that’s such a good idea!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I love the idea of making a syrup out of honeysuckle! And the addition of orange peel is brilliant! Perfect added to water or even for a cocktail on a hot summer day 🙂
Estora
Do you think this would work with Swerve instead of sugar? I have issues with sugar causing migraines.
champagne-tastes
Maybe! I haven’t tried swerve. Does it have a strong flavor? You just want to avoid sweeteners that would overpower the honeysuckle. I’d probably suggest dissolving a little into some water first and seeing if it has a strong flavor. If not, go for it!
Just avoid a sweetener with a really strong flavor (like maple syrup). It might even be good with a really mild honey in the water
April
I gave Champagne Tastes’ honeysuckle simple syrup a try today! Let me tell you, my kitchen smelled amazing all afternoon. I had no idea making my own sweetener could be so easy. I can’t wait to try it in my tea and perhaps even my iced coffee.
Estora
If I get a chance to try it with the Swerve, I’ll let ya know!
champagne-tastes
Yes definitely do!! I hope it works for you!
Caroline
I really need to hunt down some honeysuckles and make this ASAP!!! This looks amazing. I have always loved the scent and flavor of honeysuckles. Reminds me of my childhood!
Jennifer
I made my first batch of honeysuckle syrup the other night and it turned out even better than I expected! So easy, so delicious! I love that I’ll be able to savor one of my favorite smells and make use of the invasive flower. Thanks for the recommendation, @champagne-tastes 😊
champagne-tastes
Yay!! I’m so glad that you loved it!! (And yay for honeysuckle!)
Kat
This looks so good! Will this simple syrup really keep for a year in the fridge?
Sarah
Hi Kat! A year is the typical shelf life for homemade simple syrups if you keep them refrigerated, but of course- if it starts to smell or looks off, use your best judgement and toss it out! (I have kept and used mine for that long.)