Strawberry Hibiscus Honey | A Bright Taste of Summer
There is something about the flavors of summer that invites a little more brightness into life. Sweet honey, tart hibiscus and juicy strawberry come together in a blend that is floral, fruity and pleasantly tangy. Beyond the flavor, each ingredient brings it’s own history and characteristic to the jar. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at this herbal electuary and some of the simple ways it can be enjoyed throughout the summer.
For educational use and learning. These formulations are shared for personal use. Do not reproduce or sell commercially.
Why Honey Makes Such a Lovely Herbal Companion
First I want to clear up what honey really is because it can be kind of confusing. Honey is essentially processed nectar. Nectar is the sugary liquid that is secreted by flowers to attract pollinators, that is gathered by foraging bees as fuel for the colony. Bees ingest the nectar, add special enzymes and then regurgitate it. Yes, when you put it that way it sounds like we are enjoying bee spit-up…Yummy! Then the bees fan their wings over it to remove excess water and then store it.
Pollen is the powdery grain that is produced by the male parts of the flower for plant reproduction. Bees will gather it on their legs and bring it back to the hive for a source of protein, fat, and nutrients for the developing brood. Pollen can tell you about what plants the bees are visiting, and point to which plant friends they visit the most. For example: my local honey source shared their pollen data which observed the top ten plants like sumac, clovers, and buck-thorn! I was ecstatic to see linden/basswood on the list as well, solidifying the lovely floral flavor.
Propolis is essentially “bee glue,” a very sticky resinous dark material. Propolis is collected by bees from sap and buds from trees which is then mixed with their wax and other secretions. We love bee secretions around here!
Honey has traditionally been used for wounds and burns, naturally containing small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Sam Coffman in his book Herbal Medic mentions it is “bacteriostatic if not antibacterial.” Honey can also be considered astringent, antiseptic, and highly osmotic. Due to these characteristics, it acts as a wonderful preservative! In fact, 3000 year old honey found in Egyptian temples was still edible. There are also many opinions on the practice of using honey for hay fever and allergies with benefits thought to be connected to pollen from local plants ending up in honey product. However it is not replacement for foundational immune support like diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep.
All of these properties make honey a wonderful herbal companion. American naturalist and author Euell Gibbons shared memories of harvesting wild bee trees with his grandfather in his first book, Stalking the Wild Asparagus. One of these days I want to try my hand at his Mead recipe and Honey Vinegar!
** All recipes and ideas shared here are for educational and informational purposes. Every body is different, use what feels right for you and seek professional guidance when needed.
Lets Talk Ingredients
HONEY -> Base
Honey is the perfect base ingredient, offering several benefits on it’s own. Sticky and sweet - great for improving the flavor of bitter herbs. Honey also makes a wonderful solvent, traditionally used internally and externally. Very connected to herbs with our hardworking pollinators.
HIBISCUS -> My Summer Herb
Hibiscus is my summer herb of choice due to it’s high vitamin C content and natural refrigerant effects. It works wonderful in summer beverages due to it’s tart fruity personality.
STRAWBERRY -> Familiar
Almost everyone recognizes the flavor of strawberry. Tart like hibiscus but slightly sweeter to bring out the fruity notes. Also high in antioxidants like hibiscus. One of my favorite summertime fruits with fond memories of picking at our local patch.
DAMIANA-> Floral
Damiana is one that I enjoy on it’s own for the natural spicy floral flavor. Lightly bringing back notes of the wildflower honey. Adding a light warmth and a grounding tone while complimenting the gentle energizing effects.
ELECTROLYTE BLEND -> Minerals
A simple blend of sea salt, potassium chloride, and magnesium glycinate to help regulate fluid balance and keep cells hydrated. Encourages muscle recovery and prevents cramping. Help create cellular energy and encourage mental clarity. Electrolytes can also encourage better heart health and stress relief.
The Balance Behind the Blend
As I was testing different flavors and pairings for my summer tea blend, I got redirected down a new path. Originally, I was brainstorming ways to make the tea process just a tiny bit simpler for folks that are always on the go. Lollipops, Tea bombs, Infused Syrups all swirled in my head (and still do), but none were hitting that Goldilocks rule for me. Dancing around the idea of powders and trying many many MANY combinations, somehow I ended on the idea of an herbal electuary! Fun Fact: One of the very FIRST herbal remedies I crafted for a family friend was a anti-inflammatory herbal electuray paste.
I knew I wanted it to be easy to use, and very versatile. The texture was very important to me, as I know quite a few friends that are sensitive to gritty bits. That is why I opted for the higher quality option and got the more expensive fine ground powders. The herbal sourcing wasn’t too challenging as I have already decided on suppliers. The challenging piece was sourcing honey, but I knew just who to contact! A family friend that I have worked with for many years, who has been a huge inspiration for my gardening itch. A few years back I remember her sharing a jar with me from a local beekeeper, and it was so golden and deliciously floral. So I reached out and got their contact information, and got in touch with the owner Greg. He was so knowledgeable, thoroughly answering each of my questions with honesty. He kindly let me come out to see everything and learn more about their process, which clearly showed his passion for beekeeping. Honey and Herbalism goes hand and hand because without our pollinators, there would be no plants!
Another thing I had already set in motion, was the decision to have hibiscus in my blend. You see, I originally was blending a hibiscus based tea (which I still plan to release eventually) with different fruity pairings. Hibiscus IS my summer go to because I am so sensitive to heat, and I just LOVE a good Agua de Jamaica. Another thing I love in the summertime is strawberries! Almost every year my hunny and I go to the strawberry patch to pick a big ole bin to bring home and bake with or store. In spring to summer, you can find me in my woods gathering wild strawberry leaves and little baby strawberries. Unusually, fruit was among the first things I deep dived into as a new herbalist. You can find older videos of mine talking ALL about raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries! It just so happened that my first official seasonal tea blend had a base of blueberries, so I knew that continuing the fruity pattern was a must.
The tartness of hibiscus is complemented by the fruity sweetness of strawberry. Lemon balm brings a bright balance, and damiana complements the natural floral notes in the honey. All in all this honey is a bright blend of fruity floral sweetness with a touch of salty electrolytes. Ten times better than a honey infused with artificial strawberry flavor.
Welcome!
Hey, I’m Brit. I help you blend the comfort of the kitchen with the care of the apothecary.
So... What Do I Do With It?
The options are basically endless if you get a little creative. Of course you can enjoy the simple pleasure of eating it right off the spoon for a little pick me up. When I was in middle school I went through this random phase of craving milk with honey mixed into it. Now that I think back, it probably was encouraged by those poetry books getting more popular…Either way, I remember it being a nice treat with dinner and imagine this would also taste nice mixed into a glass of milk in place of nesquik.
Breakfast might be the perfect pairing. Use the honey as a nice spread for your toast, bagel, or english muffin. Drizzle some into your yogurt or try mixing some into yogurt parfaits like I make for Sprouted branch with cherries and chia seeds. If you prefer oatmeal you could try drizzling some in, it would pair delicious paired with fresh picked strawberries.
Another idea my coworker and I thought sounded delicious, was pairing it with cream cheese and a cracker. Another sweet treat could be using it in thumbprint cookies or other baked goodies. And this is only the beginning. I'm planning to share some of my favorite strawberry hibiscus honey recipes and summer combinations in a future post.
How I would use it
For a sluggish and slower moving morning
- Straight from the spoon
- Mixed into a yogurt parfait, great way to lightly sweeten plain yogurt!
For a hot afternoon
- Mixed into sparkling hop water or crafted into a mocktail
- Spread onto some crackers paired with cream cheese and maybe some sliced peppers like jalapeño or poblano.
For after a workout
- Add into your smoothies
- Straight from the spoon for a energy pick-up. Honey provides a balanced blend of glucose and fructose for energy.
For seasonal use
-Add a spoonful to your tea or morning cereal 3x a day to tame hay-fever the traditional way.
FAQ
What is strawberry hibiscus honey?
Traditionally this would be called an herbal electuary, which is when herbal powders are mixed into a sticky sweetener like honey.
What does hibiscus honey taste like?
This honey is very fruity and clear strawberry flavor. Quite sweet, but balanced with a slightly salty taste. Light floral aftertaste from the damiana and honey. Note that taste is subjective.
What can I use strawberry hibiscus honey for?
This honey can be used for a light energy pick-up for sluggish mornings, before or after a workout. When you are feeling under the weather, or the weather is making you feel that way. It can be enjoyed daily for encouraged immune support, or as needed. You can also enjoy it strictly for seasonal support in the summertime, taking a break from Fall to Spring time.
Is hibiscus tea the same as hibiscus honey?
Hibiscus is delicious on it’s own as a herbal tea, but it is not the same as hibiscus honey. Hibiscus honey could mean the flower has been infused into the honey using low heat or several days in the sun. Our honey is an electuary directly containing hibiscus powder plant material.
Can I use strawberry hibiscus honey in drinks?
Absolutely! Play with mixing drinks, create oxymels, have fun with it.
How should I store herbal honey?
Because this is an herbal electuary, it is best treated as a food preparation rather than a shelf-stable herbal tincture or extract. Keep the jar tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Always use a clean, dry utensil when dipping into the jar to help prevent moisture or contamination from getting in.
The honey may naturally change in texture or crystallize over time. That does not mean it has gone bad. If you notice an unusual smell, appearance or signs of spoilage, however, it is best to discard it.
Is strawberry hibiscus honey available year-round?
At this time, no. My plan is to offer seasonal batches each year in the summertime. Between seasons I plan to accept custom orders or requests. Purchase at Sprouted Branch or More than Sprouts. You can also contact me for shipping within the United States at this time, shipping costs may vary. Information is only stored for a 5-10 days after contact before they will be permanently deleted.
Does strawberry hibiscus honey contain real strawberries?
Yes! The powder is freeze dried strawberries with seeds certified organic through MCIA with no infused sugar and no sulfates!
Ready to taste it?
Strawberry Hibiscus Summer Honey is available as part of my limited summer collection while this seasonal batch lasts.
Other Recipes & Resources
Favorite links and Resources → [See my Links]
Euell Gibbons First Book → [Linked]
First Aid Applications from Sam Coffman → [Herbal Medic]
Local Honey Source → [Sunrise Honey] < My local supplier
Research in bacteria inhibition, osmolarity, and more → [Linked]
Sustainable Hive Sourcing → [Read More]
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A fun sensory guide to help you slow down and explore flavor more deeply.
This printable flavor exploration journal is designed to support your tasting experience; whether you’re working with herbal mocktails, teas, or simple ingredients at home.
Inside, you’ll find:
Guided prompts for observing color, scent, and first impressions
Space to reflect on taste, texture, and balance
Creative ideas for pairing flavors and ingredients
A simple structure to help you stay curious while tasting
After time, you’ll really begin to notice how flavor moves through the senses: color, aroma, texture, and taste.
It’s about learning how you truly experience flavor.