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Simple Syrup vs Honey Syrup
A neutral sweetener against a flavoured one: what honey adds to a sour, and where it does not belong.
Which should you use?
Simple syrup sweetens without saying anything; honey syrup sweetens and adds floral, waxy depth. Use honey where it is the point — a Bee's Knees, a Gold Rush, a Penicillin. Use simple syrup everywhere else, so the spirit and the citrus can speak.
| Dimension | Simple syrup | Honey syrup |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour | Neutral | Floral, earthy; varies with the honey |
| Body | Light | Fuller |
| Suitable for | Vegan | Not vegan |
| Consistency between batches | Identical every time | Varies with the honey used |
Using one in place of the other
Honey syrup for simple in a Whiskey Sour gives you a Gold Rush in all but name. Simple for honey in a Bee's Knees makes a plain gin sour. Check how thick your honey syrup is: a thick one is sweeter per millilitre.