Honey is a one-ingredient recipe made by bees, flowers and mother nature herself. here are some honey beverages for summer refreshment.
Absolutely, honey is a wonderful natural sweetener produced by bees using nectar from flowers. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in various beverages to add natural sweetness and flavor.
Honey Strawberry Tea Cooler
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 pint – fresh strawberries, stemmed and cleaned
1/4 cup – honey
1 can (6 oz.) – frozen orange juice concentrate
2 cups – brewed green tea, cooled
1/2 cup – water
DIRECTIONS
In a blender or food processor container, combine water, strawberries and honey; process until smooth. Add orange juice concentrate; process until well blended.
Stir into cooled tea.
Serve over ice.
Lemonade Honey Punch
INGREDIENTS
For Ginger Honey Syrup:
1 cup – honey
5 – thin slices of ginger, peeled
1/2 cup – water
For Lemonade:
1 cup – freshly squeezed lemon juice
24 oz. – apple juice
5 cups – water
lemon slices, for serving
DIRECTIONS
Simmer the Ginger Honey Syrup ingredients in a heavy saucepan for about 30 minutes, set aside to cool. Remove the ginger slices and discard.
In a large pitcher combine the lemon juice, apple juice and water. Stir in the cooled Ginger Honey Syrup.
Fill each glass with ice and the lemonade, garnish with a lemon slice.
TIP
You can substitute club soda for the water if you prefer.
Here are additional beverage suggestions for refreshing and cooling honey summer drinks.
- Honey Lemonade: Mix freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and honey in a pitcher. Adjust the sweetness to your liking and serve it over ice for a refreshing and tangy drink.
- Honey Iced Tea: Brew your favorite tea (black, green, or herbal) and let it cool. Sweeten it with honey and add some ice for a delightful iced tea experience.
- Honey Fruit Infused Water: Create a natural fruit-infused water by adding sliced fruits like strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, or mint leaves to a pitcher of water. Sweeten it with honey for a subtle, naturally flavored hydrating beverage.
- Honey Smoothie: Blend your favorite fruits like berries, mangoes, bananas, or peaches with yogurt or milk. Add a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness and creaminess.
- Honey-Lime Sparkler: Mix freshly squeezed lime juice, soda water, and honey in a tall glass filled with ice. It’s a bubbly, tangy, and sweet treat.
- Honey Iced Coffee: Brew your preferred coffee, let it cool, and add milk or cream along with honey. Serve it over ice for a sweet and caffeinated pick-me-up.
- Honey Coconut Water: Combine coconut water with a touch of honey for a tropical and naturally electrolyte-rich drink.
- Honey Herbal Infusions: Prepare herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, or hibiscus, and sweeten them with honey for a soothing and aromatic beverage.
- Honey Mint Mojito: Muddle fresh mint leaves with honey and lime juice, then add soda water and ice. Garnish with more mint leaves and lime wedges for a refreshing mocktail.
- Honey Fruit Punch: Mix together a variety of fruit juices like orange, pineapple, and cranberry, and sweeten with honey for a delicious fruit punch.
Remember, you can adjust the sweetness of these beverages according to your taste preferences. Honey not only adds sweetness but also brings its unique flavor profile, making these drinks even more enjoyable on a hot summer day. Enjoy responsibly and stay hydrated!
Honey Watermelon Granita with Honeycomb
INGREDIENTS
1 medium – seedless watermelon
1/2 cup – honey
juice and zest of 4 limes
3″ – square piece of honeycomb, optional
fresh mint and additional lime, to garnish
DIRECTIONS
Cut the melon in half and scoop out the flesh into a blender. Remove any seeds that may be in the watermelon as best you can. Blend the watermelon until pureed, pausing to stir and fully blend as needed.
Add the honey, lime juice and zest and blend until well combined.
Pour the watermelon mixture into a large shallow pan and place in the freezer uncovered.
Wait one hour and with a fork, run the tines through the mixture to break up any ice crystal, return to the freezer and repeat every 30 minutes until fully frozen and icy. This mixture should be icy crystals, not a frozen block and not slushy.
To serve, scoop into shallow glass and garnish with a bit of honeycomb, mint leaves and a lime wedge.
TIP
This recipe can be made into a light watermelon wine granita by adding 12 oz. of moscato or sparkling rose to the mixture before placing in the freezer. This may take additional time in the freezer. You can also add a drizzle of a fruity liqueur such as limoncello or melon liqueur over the granita when serving. This makes a unique and refreshing “after dinner” dessert!