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Honey Liqueurs

(16 products)

Honey liqueur is a spirit sweetened and flavored with real honey, giving it a rich, floral taste that runs from light and clean to deeply caramelized. Favorites here include Barenjager, Old Krupnik, Badel Medica and Koval Chrysanthemum Honey.
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About Honey Liqueurs

Long before flavored vodka, Central and Eastern European households were blending honey with spirit and spices to make a warming drink for cold months. Today's bottlings range from simple honey and neutral spirit to recipes with citrus peel, tea, pear or cinnamon.

The method is straightforward: honey is dissolved into a base spirit, sometimes alongside spices, then filtered and rested. Old Krupnik follows the Polish krupnik tradition, while Barenjager from Germany is known for the bear on its label and also comes in Honey and Pear and Honey and Tea versions. Badel Medica is the Croatian take, d'Aristi Xtabentun from the Yucatan pairs honey with anise, and Chicago's own Koval makes a Chrysanthemum Honey Liqueur with a floral, tea-like character.

Serve it chilled and neat, over ice with a lemon twist, or gently warmed in a mug on a winter night. In cocktails, honey liqueur can stand in for honey syrup. Try a Bee's Knees with gin, lemon juice and Barenjager in place of the syrup, or a Gold Rush twist built on bourbon and lemon.

This page is part of our herbal, honey and spice liqueurs collection.

Honey Liqueurs FAQ

What is honey liqueur?

Honey liqueur is a spirit blended with honey, sometimes with added spices or fruit, and usually bottled at a lower strength than straight vodka or whiskey. The honey gives body and a floral sweetness. Two of the most familiar bottles are Barenjager Honey Liqueur from Germany and Old Krupnik Honey Liqueur from Poland.

How do you drink Barenjager?

Barenjager is easy to enjoy chilled and neat, or over ice with a twist of lemon. It also mixes well: use it in place of honey syrup in a Bee's Knees, or top it with ginger ale. For something different, try Barenjager Honey and Pear or Barenjager Honey and Tea the same way.

Can you drink honey liqueur warm?

Yes. Warming honey liqueur is a long tradition in Poland and Lithuania. Heat a small pour of Old Krupnik Honey Liqueur gently with a cinnamon stick and citrus peel, without letting it boil, then serve in a mug. Suktinis Mead can be stirred into hot water with lemon for a simple winter warmer.

What is the best honey liqueur for cocktails?

For cocktails, choose a clean, bright honey liqueur that will not bury the base spirit. Barenjager Honey Liqueur is the go-to for a Bee's Knees or Gold Rush twist. Koval Chrysanthemum Honey Liqueur adds a floral, slightly tea-like note that pairs well with gin, whiskey and sparkling wine.

About Liquor Barn

Family-owned since 1982, The Liquor Barn has three stores across Chicago's North Shore in Wheeling, Niles, and Vernon Hills. We carry over 17,000 wines, spirits, and beers — and we ship nationwide. Most orders go out same day with tracking.

Visit one of our Illinois locations or shop online today.

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