What Is Hot Honey? 15 Things to Drizzle It On

Sweet first, then a slow warmth that builds: that's hot honey. If you've seen it drizzled over pizza and wondered what the fuss is about, here's what hot honey is, what it tastes like, and 15 easy ways to use it, from a Friday night pizza to your holiday cheese board.

What is hot honey?

Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers. The peppers steep in the honey, and their heat and fruity flavour move into it. The result is a sweet and spicy condiment you can drizzle on almost anything. It became famous on pizza, where the sweetness and heat cut through salty cured meats and melted cheese, and it has since found its way onto fried chicken, cheese boards, vegetables and even cocktails.

How hot it is depends on the peppers. Mild versions use a gentle chili, while others go much hotter. Our Hot Honey is made with raw Quebec honey, habanero and Thai chili, so the honey comes first and a bright, fruity heat follows and lingers.

Why the honey matters as much as the heat

The chilies get all the attention, but hot honey is mostly honey. A honey with real floral flavour gives the heat something to stand on, so the result tastes like honey with a kick instead of sugar syrup with spice. That's why we start with raw Quebec honey rather than a blended, heavily processed one. Curious what "raw" really means? We explain it in Raw Honey vs Pasteurized Honey.

15 things to drizzle hot honey on

Savoury classics

1. Pizza. The one that started it all. Drizzle it over a pepperoni, soppressata or sausage pizza straight out of the oven. It's just as good on a white pizza with ricotta.
2. Fried chicken. Brush or drizzle it over crispy chicken, chicken sandwiches or tenders right before serving. Sweet, salty, spicy and crunchy in every bite.
3. Chicken wings. Toss baked or air fried wings in hot honey with a little melted butter and a squeeze of lime.
4. Roasted vegetables. Brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash all love it. Roast them until browned, then drizzle hot honey on at the end.
5. Salmon. Mix hot honey with soy sauce and a little garlic, then brush it on salmon for the last few minutes of cooking.
6. Pork. Glaze pork chops, ribs or a holiday ham with it near the end of cooking, so the honey caramelizes without burning.
7. Eggs and avocado toast. A few drops over a fried egg or avocado toast is a small change that makes breakfast feel special.
8. Tourtière. Our Quebec favourite. A thin drizzle over a warm slice of meat pie is a sweet and spicy twist on the usual ketchup or fruit ketchup.

On the cheese board

9. Cheese. Hot honey and cheese might be the best pairing of all. Try it over aged cheddar, a creamy brie, fresh goat cheese or a salty blue. It's an easy way to make a holiday cheese board look and taste more generous.
10. Grilled halloumi or baked brie. Pour it over halloumi fresh from the pan, or over a warm baked brie with a handful of chopped nuts.
11. Biscuits and cornbread. Split a warm biscuit or a piece of cornbread and add butter and hot honey.

Sweet surprises

12. Fruit. Grilled peaches, pineapple, pears and even watermelon all get a lift from a drizzle of hot honey and a pinch of flaky salt.
13. Vanilla ice cream. It sounds strange until you try it. The cold, creamy ice cream softens the heat and the honey does the rest.
14. Popcorn. Warm a spoonful of hot honey with melted butter and toss it with fresh popcorn and a little salt for movie night.

In drinks

15. Cocktails and mocktails. Stir equal parts hot honey and warm water to make a spicy honey syrup. Use it in a margarita, a whisky sour or a hot toddy, or mix it with lemonade and sparkling water for a spicy lemonade.

Tips for cooking with hot honey

• Finish with it. Hot honey shines when it's added at the end, so the honey and chili flavours stay fresh.
• Glaze late. Honey browns quickly. When you use it as a glaze, brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Start small. You can always add more. Taste first, then drizzle again.
• Warm it if it's thick. Set the jar in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water for a few minutes and it will pour more easily.

How to store hot honey

Keep it tightly closed at room temperature, away from the stove, and always use a clean, dry spoon. There's no need to refrigerate it. Like all raw honey, it can crystallize over time. That's completely natural, and a gentle warm water bath brings it back. Read more in Why Natural Honey Crystallizes and What to Do When It Happens, or see our full guide to how to store honey.

Frequently asked questions

What does hot honey taste like?

Sweet and floral first, then a warm chili heat that builds slowly. A good hot honey tastes like honey with a kick, not just spice.

Is hot honey very spicy?

It depends on the peppers used. Ours, made with habanero and Thai chili, has a noticeable but friendly heat. The sweetness keeps it balanced.

Do you need to refrigerate hot honey?

No. Store it closed at room temperature. The fridge only makes it thick and speeds up crystallization.

Can you cook with hot honey?

Yes. Use it as a glaze, in marinades and in dressings. Just add it near the end of cooking, because honey can burn at high heat.

What can I put hot honey on?

Pizza, fried chicken, wings, roasted vegetables, salmon, cheese, biscuits, fruit, ice cream and cocktails are all great places to start.

Try our Hot Honey

Our Hot Honey is raw Quebec honey with habanero and Thai chili, made by us, the beekeepers based in Montreal. It also makes a fun stocking stuffer for the person who puts hot sauce on everything. Prefer your honey without the heat? Start with our Wildflower Honey or browse all our raw Quebec honey. Questions? Write to us at info@mielbrut.com or on Instagram (@mielbrut_com).