Honey. It’s soothing, sweet and seriously syrupy. And it pairs wonderfully with whisky. The floral sweetness of our favourite golden nectar goes hand in hand with whisky’s smooth, spiced notes. And together, they both have a range of individual characteristics and complementary flavours that can make for endless delicious drinks.
Honey is used in various cocktails to add a little natural sweetness but it also brings out other natural ingredients from sharp citrus fruits to fresh herbs.
Here we share our favourite honey and whisky drinks that you can create at home again and again.
This scotch honey cocktail is reminiscent of Scottish summers spent in purple heather fields among buzzing honey bees. The same bees pollinate our fields of barley at The Glenlivet distillery, adding to the sweetness of our single malt whisky.
Honouring the bees, this drink celebrates their nectar in the form of a heather honey syrup, infused with fresh flowers. It’s a beautiful cocktail that looks as satisfying as each sip.
The old fashioned is a traditionally spiced cocktail that highlights the smoky, smooth flavour of scotch whisky with a dash of Angostura bitters. But if you fancy a bit of extra sweetness, try your old fashioned with honey.
Our recipe calls for just one teaspoon of nature’s nectar, stirred in with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, our signature malt with a fruity, sophisticated finish.
A hot toddy is the original honey whisky cocktail, traditionally made with hot water, lemon juice and a few spiced garnishes. The centuries-old recipe is beloved for its comforting properties, guaranteed to warm you up on a winter’s evening and add an extra level of cosiness to nights by the fire.
Our hot toddy recipe features whisky and honey with the addition of apple cider for a boost of tangy sweetness. Discover more hot toddy variations and get creative.
Many cocktails swap sugar for honey for a more natural sweetness. A whisky royale does just that, mixing honey water with whisky and lemon juice to create a soothing base for this champagne topped cocktail.
Its smooth and balanced flavour matches the crispness of sparkling wine for a seriously elegant drink, perfect for summer or festive occasions.
Our Golden Highball is made for warm summer evenings. Feel the sun on your skin as you sip this sweet, citrus drink, made with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old.
Orange liqueur and honey match the whisky’s orchard sweetness, easily made with a top of fizzy soda.
A whisky sour is as classic as it gets. The simple mix of lemon juice, whisky and simple syrup makes for a classic party pleaser that’s easy to drink and easy to customise.
Add honey to our whisky sour recipe to put your own twist on this popular cocktail. And why stop there? Berries, herbs and other citrus fruits make a wonderful addition whilst still complimenting those honey notes. Why not put a honey twist on our marmalade whisky sour? The sticky orange spread will go perfectly.
Iced tea is the ultimate summer drink, but also makes for a seriously good cocktail when mixed with scotch whisky. You typically want one part whisky to three parts tea. But when it comes to the brew, the choice is yours.
Go classic with a breakfast blend or keep it light with a green tea mix. Sweeten to your taste with runny honey and serve with plenty of ice. Get inspired with our favourite whisky and tea pairings.
Honey goes with most flavours. And in this fruity drink, it pairs with the sweet flavour of apple. Swap sugar syrup for honey in our Apple Cinnamon Spritz recipe and start muddling those delicious flavours together before serving at your next autumnal gathering. Seriously – get a batch on the go before it runs out!
Looking for more drink inspiration? Discover our collection of whisky cocktails to get started or check out our favourite warm whisky drinks or the best whisky drinks to order at a bar.
Fruity, smooth and balanced.
Indulgent, balanced and elegant.
Refined, warm and intricate.
6 Best Warm Whisky Drink Recipes for Winter
The best classic whisky drinks to order at a bar
How to host a whisky pairing dinner
