🐝 Is honey vegan?
Vegans skip honey due to ethical concerns because it comes from bees, and veganism is all about avoiding animal use.
A single honey bee visits about 1,500 flowers and makes just a tiny amount of honey in their lifetime. Bees work together to turn nectar into honey, which is essential to their health. In commercial beekeeping, honey is often replaced with sugar substitutes, and some practices, like culling hives or clipping queen bees' wings, are used to manage costs and boost productivity. (ref: The Vegan Society).
Of course, there are many vegan honey alternatives like maple syrup, golden syrup, date syrup, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, and many other sweet syrups. But this recipe is for you if you want the flavor of the real deal, minus the bees!
I didn't invent apple syrup honey - there are lots of versions out there. But the person who did, is a genius. It tastes incredibly close to real honey. This is my twist on it, and I think you're going to love it!
🧾 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Here's everything you need to make this vegan honey recipe. Find the complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cloudy Apple Juice: If you're based in the States, this is often called apple cider, which is pure, unfiltered, pressed apple juice. I've tried this recipe using both cloudy apple juice and clear apple juice; both work well.
- Raw Cane Sugar: Adds complexity to the flavor profile so that you end up with a more subtle apple flavor. While you can skip the granulated sugar and use just raw sugar, you will end up with a darker honey, and the cooking time will need to increase by 5-10 minutes to compensate for the higher moisture content of brown sugar.
- Granulated Sugar: You can use organic white sugar (to ensure it's vegan) or blonde sugar, which is partially refined and still has a little molasses content for a subtle caramel flavor.
- Acids: To balance the sweetness and give that signature tangy honey flavor. I use a combination of apple cider vinegar and a touch of fresh lemon juice to avoid an overpowering citrus flavor.
- Chamomile Tea: This adds floral flavors to the apple honey. I found that one was enough to get the right flavor balance. If you use 2 chamomile tea bags, the flavor can be overpowering.
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🔪 Instructions
Here's a visual overview showing how to make bee-free honey. Please refer to the detailed recipe card at the end of this page for full measurements and written instructions. You can also hit the jump to recipe button at the very top of this page to skip to the printable recipe card.
Bring all the ingredients to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to help the sugar dissolve.
Rapid simmer (vigorous bubbling) on medium-high for 15 minutes, then turn down the heat to medium and regular simmer (streams of tiny bubbles) for another 15 minutes.
Carefully remove the tea bag and transfer the mixture to a clean jar.
💭 Expert tips
If you're keeping your vegan honey substitute for more than a week, pop it in the fridge. Thanks to its high sugar content, it'll stay fresh for weeks in a clean, sealed glass jar.
The mixture will thicken in the fridge, for a more "runny honey" consistency, let it sit at room temperature for an hour before serving.
To check the honey is ready, measure it carefully on a kitchen scale or measuring jug. It should reduce to 290ml (around 1.25 cups) when ready. It may still look runny, but it will thicken as it cools to room temperature.
🍽️ Ways to use this recipe
You can use this vegan honey alternative in all the ways you would use traditional honey. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Vegan hot honey: Spice it up with a few teaspoons of hot chilli flakes and drizzle over all your favorite dishes from pizza to roasted vegetables or toasted sandwiches.
- Salad dressings: Try a vegan honey mustard dressing - swapping the regular honey for this homemade version!
- Sweeten drinks: Add to a cup of tea, coffee, matcha, or hot chocolate.
- Vegan cheeseboard: Enjoy it drizzled over vegan ricotta or homemade mascarpone.
🍯 More homemade vegan alternatives
📖 Recipe
Homemade Vegan Honey
Ingredients
- 360 ml (1 ½ cups) cloudy apple juice apple cider in US *note 1
- 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar *note 2
- 75 g (¼ cup + 2 tablespoons) raw cane sugar *note 3
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 chamomile tea bag
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to help the sugar dissolve.
- Turn the heat down to medium-high and rapid simmer for 15 minutes. Then reduce the heat slightly to medium and regular simmer for another 15 minutes. When ready - it should be reduced to 290ml or ~ 1 ¼ cups.
- Carefully transfer the honey to a sterilized jar and let it cool to room temperature, then seal the jar.
Notes
- Cloudy Apple Juice: In the US, this may be called apple cider. It should be 100% apple juice, unfiltered and raw if possible.
- Granulated Sugar: You can use organic white sugar (to ensure it's vegan) or blonde sugar, which is partially refined and still has a little molasses content for a subtle caramel flavor.
- Raw Cane Sugar: Adds complexity to the flavor profile so that you end up with a more subtle apple flavor. While you can skip the granulated sugar and use just raw sugar, you will end up with a darker honey, and the cooking time will need to increase by 5-10 minutes to compensate for the higher moisture content of brown sugar.
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What’s shelf life and storage like for this?
Should it be kept in the fridge due to the apple and lemon juice?
Hi Taryn,
At room temp, I usually keep it for around a week but if you wan't it last longer I would pop it in the fridge. It will become thicker when chilled, so if you want it runny just let it sit at room temp before serving. Hope this helps!
Es una receta genial. La textura y el sabor son perfectos!
Thanks so much for your feedback, Cristina!
I must say that most of your recipes are amazing. However, i have to mention that using all that sugar to make vegan 'honey' is just not healthy. Sugar is SO so bad...... So, apart from this recipe, thumbs up to your website and your generous recipe sharing. Sincerely.
Hi Thea,
Thank you so much for your kind words and support - I really appreciate it! Just to clarify, the recipes I share are vegan, but not necessarily health-focused. My goal in sharing vegan recipes like the "honey" alternative is to give people options that are free of animal products, especially for those who are transitioning or looking for substitutes in familiar recipes. That said, I’m not anti-sugar at all, just trying to strike a balance and offer choices that work for different needs, preferences, and ingredient availability. Thanks again for your feedback and for being part of this community! 😊
Ssshhhhhh