Simple Homemade Orange Infused Honey Recipe | Easy Gift Idea
If you’re looking for a simple yet elegant homemade gift this holiday season, look no further than infused honey. It’s versatile, easy to make, and offers a sweet, aromatic twist on a pantry staple. This honey recipe, with the infusion of fresh ingredients like orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and cloves, creates a delightful treat that can be used in so many ways. Whether it’s drizzled over toast, stirred into a cup of tea, or used as a glaze for meats, this herb-infused honey is a fantastic addition to any kitchen.
This tutorial on infused honey is part of my Harvest Jar Gift Series.
I’ve partnered with Roots and Harvest to bring you creative, heartfelt gift ideas using their high-quality glass pint and quart jars—perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion. If you enjoy this post, be sure to explore the other projects in this series! A big thank you to Roots and Harvest for crafting such dependable jars and canning supplies that make these projects both beautiful and practical. Check them out and use code Eryn15 for 15% off your order + free shipping!
Harvest Jar Gift Series:
Dehydrated Sourdough Starter Gift Tutorial
Why Infused Honey Makes a Wonderful Gift
Honey is already a healthful, natural sweetener, but infusing it with herbs or spices takes it to the next level, offering unique flavors that make it a great choice for the holiday season. This infusion process not only enhances the flavor but also makes it more visually appealing, perfect for gifting in a clean pint or quart jar.
For this recipe, we’ll be infusing raw honey with fresh herbs and dried ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and dried orange. This combination brings a warm, festive aroma and a beautiful final product that’s sure to be a hit.
The Benefits of Infused Honey
Not only is this honey a delicious addition to your pantry, but it also has potential health benefits. Honey has long been used as an herbal remedy for soothing sore throats, aiding digestion, and providing a natural energy boost. Infused with herbs like lemon balm or thyme, the honey becomes a functional herbal honey that’s perfect for herbal tea or as a simple syrup for salad dressings.
The infused honey can also be an effective and natural remedy for flu season, making it a thoughtful gift for those you love. Whether it’s for a cup of tea or a spoonful to calm a sore throat, this herb-infused honey is as versatile as it is tasty. And if you’re looking for a tasty sore throat relieving recipe made with honey, try whipping up these sore throat suckers.
Ingredients for Orange and Cinnamon Infused Honey
- 1 pint of raw honey (preferably local honey, such as orange blossom or clover honey)
- 2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest
- 1 dried orange (for visual appeal)
- 2 organic cinnamon sticks
- 7 whole cloves
- Optional: star anise for a fun twist or rose petals for a floral touch
Reason for each ingredient:
Fresh Orange Zest: The bright, citrusy aroma and subtle tang of orange zest complement the natural sweetness of the honey. Its oils infuse the honey with a lively, zesty flavor, adding a refreshing contrast to the warm spices in the mix.
Dried Orange: A dried orange serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Its striking appearance makes the jar visually appealing for gifting, while its dried peel and pulp subtly reinforce the honey’s citrus undertones over time.
Organic Cinnamon Sticks: Cinnamon sticks bring warmth and depth to the infusion, balancing the bright citrus with cozy, spiced notes. As they steep, their essential oils release gradually, creating a comforting aroma and flavor that pair beautifully with the honey.
Whole Cloves: Small but mighty, cloves add a bold, spicy complexity to the honey. Their slightly sweet and peppery flavor works harmoniously with the cinnamon and citrus, enhancing the overall warmth of the infusion.
Optional Star Anise: For a whimsical twist, star anise contributes a licorice-like sweetness and a stunning visual element to the jar. It’s an excellent addition if you want to create a unique, aromatic blend.
Optional Rose Petals: Adding rose petals brings a delicate floral note and a touch of elegance to the honey. They elevate the infusion with subtle fragrance and a pop of color, perfect for a luxurious, gift-worthy presentation.
How to Use Your Infused Honey
Once your infused honey is ready, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Stir into a cup of tea for a soothing, sweet herbal remedy.
- Drizzle over warm biscuits or toast for a cozy breakfast treat.
- Use as a glaze for roasted meats or vegetables to add a touch of sweetness and spice.
- Swirl into yogurt or ice cream for a next level dessert.
- Add to herbal tea or elderberry syrup for an extra health boost.
Variations to Try
While this recipe uses cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange zest, you can get creative with your flavoring ingredients. Some other great combinations include:
- Vanilla Honey: Add a split vanilla bean for a rich, classic flavor.
- Lemon-Infused Honey: Swap out the orange for lemon zest or even lemon balm.
- Spicy Honey: Add dried chili peppers for a bold twist.
- Floral Honey: Incorporate lavender for a delicate, fragrant infusion.
Orange and Cinnamon Infused Honey
Ingredients
- 1 quart of raw honey preferably local honey, such as orange blossom or clover honey
- 2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest
- 1 dried orange slice for visual appeal
- 2 organic cinnamon sticks
- 7 whole cloves
- Optional: star anise for a fun twist or rose petals for a floral touch
Instructions
- Warm the Honey: Gently heat the raw honey. This helps to release the natural flavors of the orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Be sure to warm the honey, but not heat it to a high temperature, as this can destroy its beneficial properties.
- A small saucepan on low heat for about 10 minutes works perfectly for a quart jar. Reduce the time to half for a pint size amount. You can also warm the honey by placing it in a heat-safe jar and setting it in a bowl of warm water.
Add the Flavors: While the honey is warming, add to the jar the orange zest, dried orange, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. - Once honey is warm, pour over ingredients in glass jar. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the plant material is fully submerged in the honey.
Seal and Infuse: Seal the jar tightly with a tight-fitting lid and let it sit in a dark place for about 3-4 weeks. The flavors will gradually meld, giving you a rich, aromatic finished product.
Strain or Leave As-Is: After the infusion time, you can either strain out the dried ingredients or leave them in for a rustic, visual appeal. I love leaving them in, as the herbs and spices create a beautiful, homemade touch that makes this honey an even more charming gift.
Important Notes
Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of individual medical care. Do not serve honey to children under one year of age.
If you are concerned about botulism, which is very rare in this type of product, use a pH test strip to ensure the pH of your honey is below 4.6. Botulism spores cannot reproduce in a pH lower than 4.6. Honey typically has a pH of around 3.9, but this can vary slightly depending on the brand. Cranberries and other acidic plant material are highly acidic and help ensure the safety of your honey infusion.
Share Your Creation!
Once you’ve made your herb-infused honey, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your pictures and thoughts on Instagram and tag me. I can’t wait to see all the beautiful jars you’ve created! If you’d like to learn more about the recipes I share and the inspiration behind them, be sure to check out my About Me page. It’s where I share the heart of my homestead life and why creating simple, wholesome recipes is such a big part of what I do.
