Can we drink honey with rum? An Exploration of This Classic Pairing

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Historically, various cultures have enjoyed spirits infused with honey, including the Canarian tradition of Ron Miel which dates back to the 18th century. Yes, we can drink honey with rum, and this exploration will dive into why this combination is a bartender's favorite and how you can enjoy it in many forms, from simple sips to complex cocktails.

Quick Summary

Mixing honey and rum is a historic and popular practice that results in balanced cocktails and flavorful liqueurs. Learn to make honey syrup, pair different rums and honeys, and craft classic drinks.

Key Points

Honey Bee Cocktail: The classic 'Honey Bee' cocktail is a proven example of how well honey and rum pair with lemon.
Honey Syrup is Essential: To ensure easy mixing in cold cocktails, create a honey syrup by dissolving honey in an equal part of warm water.
Rum and Honey for Colds: A warm rum and honey drink, like a hot toddy, has long been a traditional remedy to help soothe cold symptoms.
Different Rums, Different Honeys: Pairing the right rum with the right honey (e.g., gold rum with floral honey) can enhance the final flavor profile.
Infused Liqueur: You can create a custom honey rum liqueur by infusing rum with honey and optional spices like cinnamon and vanilla over several weeks.
Canarian Tradition: The practice of mixing honey with rum has deep historical roots, particularly with the Canarian Ron Miel tradition.

The Perfect Pairing: Why Rum and Honey Work

Beyond simply adding sweetness, honey and rum form a symbiotic relationship that enhances the complexity of both ingredients. Rum, derived from sugarcane, offers a wide spectrum of flavors, from the light and grassy notes of white rum to the deep, caramel, and spicy undertones of aged or dark rum. Honey, a natural sweetener, adds a floral, fruity, or earthy character depending on its floral source.

The Flavor Synergy

The sweetness of honey complements and mellows rum's sharp, alcoholic edges, creating a smoother, more palatable drink. For instance, the floral notes of a light wildflower honey can brighten a gold rum, while a dark, earthy buckwheat honey can add an extra layer of complexity to a robust dark rum. This versatile pairing is a primary reason for its enduring popularity in classic mixology and traditional remedies, like the hot toddy.

How to Mix Honey with Rum

There are two primary methods for incorporating honey into your rum-based drinks, with the choice often depending on the drink's temperature and desired texture.

The Honey Syrup Method (Most Common)

Because honey is so thick, it can be challenging to dissolve in cold liquids. The simplest solution is to create a honey syrup, a 1:1 mixture of honey and warm water. This thinned-out sweetener is easy to mix into any cocktail.

To make honey syrup:

Combine equal parts honey and hot water in a saucepan.
Stir until the honey is completely dissolved.
Allow the syrup to cool completely before use.
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a month.

The Direct Method

For hot drinks like a rum toddy or a mulled cocktail, you can mix runny honey directly into the warm rum and hot water, as the heat helps it dissolve. For a cold drink, you can muddle a small amount of runny honey with the rum in a glass before adding ice and other ingredients, but the syrup method is generally more reliable for even mixing.

Classic and Modern Honey & Rum Cocktails

Here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy honey and rum together:

Honey Bee: A classic cocktail featuring rum, lemon juice, and honey syrup. A Jamaican rum variation adds complexity.
Rum Hot Toddy: A comforting cold-weather drink made with hot water, spiced rum, lemon, and honey.
Cancha / Canchánchara: A traditional Cuban drink, often lightened with sparkling water, that combines aged rum, honey water, and fresh lime juice.
Rum and Honey Old Fashioned: A variation on the classic, swapping sugar for honey and sometimes incorporating bitters.
Devon Meadow: A cocktail from Devon Rum Co., mixing their honey spiced rum with lemon juice and elderflower tonic.

Creating Your Own Honey Rum Liqueur

For a truly personalized experience, you can create your own honey-infused rum at home. This allows you to control the sweetness and flavor profile.

Steps to infuse:

Choose your rum: An aged or dark rum works well, complementing the honey's richness. For a lighter liqueur, a gold rum is a great choice.
Combine ingredients: Pour your chosen rum into a jar and add honey to taste. A good starting point is about 1/4 cup of honey per 750ml bottle of rum.
Add flavorings: For extra complexity, consider infusing additional spices like a cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, cloves, or citrus peels.
Infuse and age: Seal the jar and shake well. Store it in a cool, dark place for a minimum of a week, shaking periodically. Taste and adjust for sweetness. For best results, infuse for several weeks to allow the flavors to meld.

Comparison Table: Honey Rum Cocktails


Feature	Honey Bee	Rum Hot Toddy
Rum Type	Light to Gold Rum	Spiced or Dark Rum
Serving Style	Chilled, in a coupe glass	Warm, in a mug
Primary Flavors	Sweet, sour, floral	Sweet, spiced, citrus
Garnish	Lemon twist	Lemon wheel, cinnamon stick
Preparation	Shake with ice	Stir ingredients in a mug
Best for	Refreshing summer drink	Soothing winter remedy

Which Rum to Pair with Which Honey?

To unlock the full potential of this pairing, consider the nuances of both your rum and your honey. A floral, light-colored honey, like acacia or orange blossom, works beautifully with lighter rums, adding elegance without overpowering. For darker, spiced, or aged rums, a darker, richer honey, such as buckwheat or clover, complements the spirit's robust character. Consider the overall flavor profile you're aiming for and experiment to find your perfect match. For a deeper dive into the classic Honey Bee, check out this recipe from The Kitchn: Honey Bee Cocktail Recipe (Only 3 Ingredients!).

The Verdict: Can we drink honey with rum?

The answer is a resounding yes. The practice is both historically and gastronomically validated. Whether you are crafting a simple summer cocktail, warming up with a spiced toddy, or creating a bespoke infused liqueur, honey is a versatile and delicious partner for rum. Its natural sweetness and complex flavor profile make it a superior alternative to plain sugar, adding depth and balance to a wide range of drinks. Start with a honey syrup and a simple recipe, and you'll quickly discover the incredible possibilities of this classic combination.

Conclusion

From the classic Cuban Canchanchara to the soothing Hot Toddy, the synergy between rum and honey is undeniable. This guide has shown that mixing these two ingredients is simple and offers a vast spectrum of flavor possibilities, from refreshing to warming. Whether you choose to make a quick honey syrup for a cocktail or embark on a longer infusion project, the result is a richer, smoother, and more flavorful drink. The ancient practice of combining these two natural wonders continues to delight modern palates, proving that some pairings are simply meant to be. Experiment with different rums and honeys to find your signature concoction and enjoy the sweet rewards of this classic fusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mixing honey directly into cold rum is not ideal, as honey is thick and won't dissolve easily. It is much more effective to create a honey syrup by pre-dissolving honey in warm water before adding it to cold cocktails.

The best rum depends on the cocktail and desired flavor. Gold or Jamaican rums are classic choices for drinks like the Honey Bee, while spiced or dark rums are excellent for a hot toddy or homemade liqueur.

A warm drink combining rum and honey, like a hot toddy, is a long-standing folk remedy for colds. While it doesn't cure a cold, the warmth can help soothe a sore throat and provide temporary symptom relief.

The combination has ancient roots, with various cultures mixing honey with spirits. A notable example is the Ron Miel (honey rum) from the Canary Islands, where the tradition of infusing rum with local honey dates to the 18th century.

You can, but it's best to convert it into a honey syrup first. This ensures it properly integrates with the other cocktail ingredients without clumping or settling at the bottom, creating a more balanced drink.

Simply combine equal parts honey and hot water in a small saucepan and stir until the honey is fully dissolved. Allow it to cool, then store it in the refrigerator for up to one month.

The Honey Bee is a classic cocktail that uses rum, honey syrup, and fresh lemon juice. It is known for its balance of sweet and sour notes and is similar to a 'Bee's Knees,' which is made with gin.