Honey Water: Recipe, Ratio and How to Make It

Honey water is honey dissolved in drinking water; this recipe takes 5 minutes and makes 1 serving, about 1 cup (240 mL). For another custom mix, try the ai infused water generator.

What is honey water?

Honey water is a simple sweetened drink made by stirring honey into water. It can be served warm or chilled, and you can adjust the amount of honey to suit your taste.

Unlike fruit-infused water, it does not need time to steep: the honey is mixed into the drink rather than left to infuse. Browse more detox water recipes if you want to explore other ways to flavor water.

What ingredients and ratio do you need for honey water?

For 1 serving, use the following:

• Drinking water: 240 mL (1 US cup), warm or at room temperature.
• Honey: 7 g (1 teaspoon, or about 1/48 cup).

The starting ratio is 1 teaspoon of honey per 1 cup of water. For a less sweet drink, try 1/2 teaspoon of honey; stir in a little more if needed. Measure the honey rather than pouring it straight from the jar if you want to keep track of the amount.

These estimates are calculated from the honey; plain water contributes no calories. Using more or less honey changes the totals.

How do you make honey water?

1. Pour 240 mL (1 cup) of warm, not boiling, drinking water into a clean cup.
2. Add 7 g (1 teaspoon) of honey.
3. Stir until the honey dissolves, then drink warm or cover and refrigerate it to serve chilled.

Use comfortably warm water to make stirring easier and avoid burns. If you prefer a cold drink, dissolve the honey in a little of the measured warm water first, then add the remaining water.

How long should honey water steep?

Honey water does not need to steep. It is ready when the honey has dissolved, which you can check by looking for honey remaining on the spoon or at the bottom of the cup.

If you add fresh fruit or herbs, refrigerate the mixture for 2–4 hours for fuller flavor. Remove citrus peel or strain citrus after about 4 hours if you want to limit bitterness from the pith.

How should you store honey water?

Cover honey water and keep it refrigerated. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard it after 2–3 days or sooner if it develops cloudiness, a slimy texture or a sour smell.

Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours. Use a clean container with a lid, especially if you add fresh ingredients, and avoid returning an unfinished serving to a shared container.

What are some honey water variations?

For a gentler sweetness, use half the honey in the base recipe. To change the serving temperature, refrigerate the prepared drink or add ice made from drinking water.

You can also add a squeeze of lemon or a few fresh herb leaves. These additions change the flavor, but they do not make the drink a proven detox treatment; refrigerate fresh additions as described above.

What are the benefits of honey water?

Honey water supplies fluid, and its sweetness may make water more appealing to some people. Honey also adds sugar and calories, so it is not nutritionally identical to plain water.

There is no good evidence that honey water itself detoxifies the body or treats an illness. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification; water supports normal hydration and organ function. Read more about honey water benefits.

Who should avoid honey water?

Never give honey water or any honey to a baby under 12 months old, because honey can cause infant botulism. Heating or mixing it into water does not make it safe for infants.

People with diabetes or prediabetes should account for the honey’s sugar and carbohydrates in their eating plan. Anyone allergic to honey should avoid it. Frequent sipping of sweet drinks can also increase the risk of tooth decay; see a dentist if you have concerns about your teeth.

Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or other signs of a serious allergic reaction. For more details, see honey water side effects.

Honey water FAQs

Does honey dissolve in cold water?

It can, but it may take more stirring than in warm water. Dissolving it in a small amount of warm water first makes it easier to distribute through a chilled drink.

What if honey settles at the bottom?

Stir again until the honey is fully mixed. If the water is cold, allowing it to warm slightly can help; refrigerate it again promptly if you are saving it for later.

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