The Fiery Honey Badger cocktail is a spicy honey infused bourbon drink. I could fancy drinking this on an early summer evening at the lake house or dining outside eating this. It is surprisingly easy drinking, refreshing and if you love bourbon, you’re going to love this one. I’ve given two variations (because I LOVE choices) and the option to make this not fiery, which I’ve dubbed the Tame Honey Badger.
This drink starts out with making a simple honey syrup. If you think that sounds complicated, it’s NOT. It’s made in a matter of minutes simply by bringing water, honey and some red pepper flakes or dried chilies to a boil. Leave to cool and strain. That’s it! The recipe makes enough for eight cocktails so you can serve a bevy of your friends or enjoy it for a couple of weeks. The syrup will keep in the fridge for two weeks.
What’s the origin of the Honey Badger Cocktail?
There are many iterations of this cocktail. Most are made with bourbon, some with rum or beer and some with only champagne. I find it strange there’s not a base recipe for this drink. The only common thread with every honey badger recipe, it seems, is the honey. With this, I felt it was ok to take a few liberties with my Fiery Honey Badger cocktail. To make this fiery (like the actual honey badger animal), I infused my honey syrup with a common kitchen ingredient: red pepper flakes. Almost everyone I know has this in their spice rack. If you’re fancy, you can use a spicy, dried chili to infuse into your honey syrup. Omit the red pepper flakes to make this a “tame” honey badger.
For a summery drink, top it off with some Champagne or Prosecco. Serve it in a nice champagne flute. I would highly recommend this, being a fan of the bubbly. The Fiery Honey Badger cocktail is also very delicious served straight up. All you need is a lemon twist to top it off and a comfortable seat with a nice view. Cheers!
Fiery Honey Badger Cocktail
Ingredients
For the Spicy Honey Syrup (makes 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup (110 ml) honey
- 1/2 cup (110 ml) water
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or use one whole, spicy dried chili: chipotle, chili de arbol, thai bird, etc)
For the Fiery Honey Badger Cocktail (makes 1 cocktail)
- 2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) spicy honey syrup
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Champagne or Prosecco (if using)
- ice
- 1 lemon twist
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine the ingredients for the spicy honey syrup. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Allow to cool completely and strain through a fine, mesh sieve.
- To serve with champagne: in a cocktail shaker or mason jar, combine bourbon, honey syrup and lemon juice, along with some ice. Shake hard for 15-30 seconds until well chilled. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
- To serve straight up: in a cocktail shaker or mason jar, combine bourbon, honey syrup and lemon juice, along with some ice. Shake hard for 15-30 seconds until well chilled. Strain into a coupe or old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
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Wow! This looks and sounds wonderful! Will have to try this!
Please do and let me know what you think!
Tried it and absolutely loved it! A perfect drink.