14 Infused Hot Honey Recipes for Drizzles

I’ve always had a sweet spot for honey—it takes me back to lazy summer afternoons at my grandma’s house, where she’d harvest wildflower honey from her backyard hives and drizzle it over fresh cornbread. But as an adult food explorer, I’ve spiced up those nostalgic drizzles in my own kitchen. A couple of months ago, during a rainy weekend experiment, I started infusing honey with chilies and unexpected flavors, turning it into a versatile hot honey that elevates everything from pizza to cheese boards. It’s addictive, balancing heat with sweetness, and perfect for today’s trend of bold, customizable condiments.

What I love most about infused hot honey is its simplicity: just a jar, some heat, and imagination. These recipes are born from my trial-and-error sessions—some fiery failures turned triumphs—and they’re designed for drizzling on fried chicken, roasted veggies, ice cream, or cocktails. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or jazzing up weeknight meals, hot honey adds that wow factor with minimal effort. Ready to heat things up? Let’s dive into 14 irresistible variations.

Classic Chili Garlic Hot Honey

This foundational recipe combines raw honey with fresh red chilies and garlic for a punchy, garlicky heat that’s perfect for beginners. Ingredients: 1 cup raw honey, 4-6 dried red chili flakes or fresh chilies (like Fresno), 3 garlic cloves (smashed), pinch of salt.
To make it, gently heat the honey in a saucepan over low heat until warm (not boiling), add the chilies and garlic, then simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat, let steep for 2-4 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor), strain, and store in a jar. It lasts up to a month in the fridge. Benefits include immune-boosting garlic and antioxidants from chilies, plus it pairs amazingly with pizza or fried chicken for a savory-sweet kick.

Rosemary Lemon Hot Honey

Bright and herbaceous, this infusion blends woody rosemary with zesty lemon for a Mediterranean twist ideal for drizzling on grilled meats or yogurt parfaits. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 2-3 red chilies (sliced), 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, zest and juice of 1 lemon.
Warm the honey on low, stir in chilies, rosemary, and lemon components, simmering for 10 minutes. Steep for 4 hours, strain, and bottle. The citrus cuts the heat beautifully while rosemary adds earthy depth—great for digestion and a vitamin C boost from lemon.

Chipotle Cinnamon Hot Honey

Smoky chipotles meet warm cinnamon for a cozy, fall-inspired drizzle that shines on roasted squash or oatmeal. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo (chopped), 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp adobo sauce.
Heat honey gently, add ingredients, and infuse for 15 minutes on low. Steep overnight, strain, and enjoy. The smoke tempers spice, offering anti-inflammatory benefits from chipotle and blood-sugar stabilizing cinnamon.

Jalapeño Lime Hot Honey

Fresh and tangy, jalapeños with lime create a vibrant green heat for tacos or seafood. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 4-5 fresh jalapeños (sliced), zest and juice of 2 limes.
Simmer honey with jalapeños and lime on low for 10 minutes, steep 3-4 hours, then strain. It’s refreshing, aids detoxification with lime’s vitamin C, and jalapeños boost metabolism.

Habanero Orange Hot Honey

Fiery habaneros tempered by sweet orange make this a tropical powerhouse for chicken wings or salads. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 2-3 habanero peppers (seeded for less heat), zest and juice of 2 oranges.
Warm honey, infuse with peppers and orange for 12 minutes low heat, steep 4 hours, strain. Oranges add vitamin C to balance capsaicin’s endorphin rush, promoting heart health.

Ginger Turmeric Hot Honey

Golden and anti-inflammatory, this wellness-focused infusion is perfect for tea or stir-fries. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 3-4 dried chilies, 2-inch fresh ginger (sliced), 1 tsp ground turmeric.
Heat honey with all ingredients for 15 minutes, steep overnight, strain. Ginger soothes nausea, turmeric fights inflammation—ideal for immunity.

Basil Chili Hot Honey

Herbaceous basil cools the chili burn, drizzling divinely on caprese or pizza. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 4 fresh red chilies, ½ cup fresh basil leaves.
Infuse warm honey with chilies and basil for 10 minutes, steep 2 hours, strain. Basil’s antioxidants pair with chili’s metabolism boost for fresh flavor.

Thyme Blackberry Hot Honey

Fruity and floral thyme with blackberries for a summery drizzle on cheesecake or pork. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 3 chilies, 4 sprigs thyme, ½ cup blackberries.
Simmer all in honey 12 minutes, steep 4 hours, strain. Berries provide fiber and antioxidants, thyme aids respiratory health.

Cayenne Vanilla Hot Honey

Smooth vanilla mellows cayenne’s sharp heat for ice cream or coffee drizzles. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 1-2 tsp cayenne powder, 1 vanilla bean (split).
Warm honey with ingredients 10 minutes, steep overnight, strain. Vanilla calms digestion, cayenne revs circulation.

Scotch Bonnet Pineapple Hot Honey

Caribbean flair with pineapple sweetness cutting scotch bonnet fire—great for jerk chicken. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 2 scotch bonnets, ½ cup pineapple chunks.
Infuse low heat 15 minutes, steep 3 hours, strain. Pineapple’s bromelain aids digestion amid bold heat.

Ancho Pomegranate Hot Honey

Deep, fruity ancho with pomegranate for a tart-sweet drizzle on goat cheese. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 3 ancho chilies (rehydrated), ¼ cup pomegranate seeds.
Simmer 12 minutes, steep 4 hours, strain. Pomegranate’s antioxidants fight inflammation with ancho’s smokiness.

Bird’s Eye Chili Mint Hot Honey

Cool mint refreshes intense bird’s eye heat for salads or cocktails. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 5-6 bird’s eye chilies, ¼ cup fresh mint leaves.
Heat with ingredients 10 minutes, steep 2 hours, strain. Mint soothes stomach, chilies boost endorphins.

Gochujang Sesame Hot Honey

Korean-inspired umami with gochujang and sesame for bibimbap or dumplings. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp sesame seeds.
Infuse low 15 minutes, steep overnight, strain. Fermented gochujang aids gut health, sesame adds crunch.

Smoked Paprika Maple Hot Honey

Earthy smoked paprika with maple depth for BBQ ribs or cornbread. Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 chilies.
Simmer all 12 minutes, steep 3 hours, strain. Paprika’s vitamin A supports vision, maple stabilizes energy.

These 14 infused hot honeys are game-changers for your pantry—easy to make, endlessly versatile, and guaranteed to impress. Grab a jar, pick your favorite infusion, and start drizzling; your taste buds (and guests) will thank you! Which one will you try first? Share in the comments.