How To Make Infused Honey (With a Gardenia-Infused Recipe)
There's something magical about taking raw honey—nature's liquid gold—and pairing it with the fragrant beauty of fresh flowers or herbs. The result? Infused honey that not only tastes incredible but also captures the essence of your garden in a jar.
When we started beekeeping two years ago, we had no idea how rewarding it would be. Watching our bees work tirelessly, collecting nectar, and transforming it into the sweetest gift is truly humbling. What an honor it is to get to enjoy their beautiful work!
In this post, I share exactly how to make your own infused honey and include one of my favorite recipes: gardenia-infused honey.
why make infused honey?
Infused honey transforms plain honey into something deeply flavorful, aromatic, and unique. Whether you stir it into tea, drizzle it over toast, or use it in recipes, this simple infusion turns everyday honey into something extraordinary.
How to Use Infused Honey
Drizzle over vanilla ice cream
Serve over cheese and crackers
Enjoy fruits like peaches (or used for these honey-spiced peach bites, drooling!)
Stir into herbal tea
Spread on warm biscuits and baked goods. Think lemon cake drizzled with gardenia-infused honey!
Drizzle over French toast (my favorite French toast recipe)
Use in salad dressings or marinades for an interesting twist (try this watermelon salad!)
Beyond flavor, adding herbs and flowers can lend subtle health benefits, depending on the choice of ingredients—think calming lavender, skin-soothing calendula, or immune-boosting thyme. Gardenias have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, too!
Although you would need to consume a LOT of infused honey to reap any health benefits from the added ingredients, but it’s the thought that counts, right ;-)
how to make infused honey
There are two primary methods for making infused honey: the no-heat method, which preserves the raw honey's natural enzymes and benefits, and the heated method, which speeds up the infusion process and creates a more shelf-stable product when using fresh botanicals.
No-Heat Infusion
This is my go-to method when making infused honey. It preserves the honey's raw state, maintaining its full nutritional profile, enzymes, and antibacterial properties.
Pros:
Preserves the benefits of raw honey
Gentle flavor extraction (when you don’t want an overpowering taste)
Simple and hands-off (the slow living way!)
Cons:
Takes longer (2–4 weeks) before you can enjoy it
Not ideal for fresh ingredients with moisture (more on this later)
How To Do It (No-Heat Method):
Fill a clean jar halfway with dried or fresh herbs or flowers (we'll discuss using dried vs. fresh ingredients later).
Pour raw honey over them, filling the jar.
Stir well to remove air bubbles.
Cap the jar and let it sit at room temperature for 2–4 weeks.
Gently turn or shake the jar every few days.
Strain out the plant material. Store your infused honey in a clean jar.
Heated Infusion
If you're using fresh ingredients, the heated method is safer if you plan to store the honey for an extended period. Fresh plants contain moisture, which can cause fermentation if not handled properly. Gently warming the honey reduces this risk and speeds up the infusion.
Pros:
It's faster (ready in a day), making it great if you need to make a gift ASAP or require infused honey for a specific and urgent purpose.
Safer for fresh ingredients
Stronger flavor extraction
Cons:
Loses some of the raw honey benefits, which we want from honey!
How To Do It (Heated Method):
Place clean herbs or flowers in a heat-safe jar.
Pour raw honey over them.
Set the jar in a warm water bath (not boiling) and let it sit for several hours at 95–110°F (35–43°C).
Stir occasionally.
Strain out the botanicals when the flavor is to your liking. Store your infused honey in a clean jar.
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gardenia-infused honey recipe
Why Gardenias?
Gardenias are more than just a pretty flower in the garden. Their creamy white petals offer a soft, floral aroma that pairs beautifully with honey. The taste is subtly sweet, slightly jasmine-like, with whispers of creamy vanilla. Plus, gardenias have natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Note: Only use gardenias that are free from pesticides and chemicals.
Ingredients:
1–2 cups fresh gardenia petals, cleaned of debris (no stems or green parts)
Enough raw honey to fill your jar
A clean glass jar with a lid
Strainer
A spoon or chopsticks for stirring
Instructions:
Gather your petals from the garden. Ava and I always love this part!
Gently rinse gardenia petals if needed. Pat dry completely.
Fill your jar about halfway with petals.
Pour raw honey over the petals, covering them fully.
Stir slowly to remove air bubbles and coat all petals.
Seal the jar and let it sit for 2 weeks, turning or stirring every few days.
After 2 weeks, strain out the petals using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Pour the finished infused honey into a clean jar.
Store in a cool, dry place and use within 3 months.
tips for making the perfect infused honey
Once you learn how to make infused honey, the possibilities are endless.
Try experimenting with other flowers, herbs, or citrus:
Lavender: Calming, floral, slightly herbal (these lavender blueberry waffles are a hit!)
Chamomile: Sweet, apple-like, relaxing
Rose: Romantic, floral, perfumed sweetness
Elderflower: Light, floral, honeyed notes (try this elderberry flower lemonade)
Calendula: Mild, slightly earthy, skin-soothing
Dandelion: Lightly sweet, with hints of honey and mild earthiness (these dandelion and honey muffins are so yummy!)
Thyme: Herbal, savory-sweet, immune-boosting
Orange peel: Bright, citrusy, zesty
Keep everything clean and dry: Any moisture can lead to spoilage, so ensure your jars, spoons, and strainers are completely clean and bone-dry before you start.
Choose a mild honey: There are over 300 varieties of honey in the U.S. alone, so there are plenty of options. For the best results, use a light, mild-flavored honey that won't overpower the flavors you're infusing.
Dry vs. Fresh: Dried botanicals are the safest option for no-heat infusions if you plan to store the honey for an extended period. You can use fresh ingredients to infuse honey (like I did in this case), but it shortens the shelf life. The reason? Fresh flowers, herbs, or fruit can add moisture to the honey, which can cause it to spoil. Dried ingredients generally provide a better flavor infusion, as the water content has been removed, allowing the aromatic and flavor compounds to be more concentrated.
Shelf life: If you used fresh ingredients in infused honey, use it within 3 months. If you used dried ingredients or the heated method, your honey can last longer.
Storage: Keep in a sealed jar at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. If you notice bubbling or sour smells, discard it, as it may have fermented.
A thoughtful gift: Infused honey can make a beautiful gift for a loved one! How special would it be if they knew it came directly from your garden?! Pour the honey into a lovely glass jar, tie a ribbon around the neck, add a beautiful tag, and you've got a very special gift!
Making infused honey is a simple, beautiful way to capture the flavors and scents of your garden. Whether you choose soft gardenia petals, soothing lavender, or vibrant citrus, each jar becomes a sweet reminder of the seasons. I hope this inspires you to make your first jar of infused honey, friend!
Love, Annette xx
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