Honey Bee Latte {Sweet Perfection}

Making your own designer coffee at home can be a lot of fun.  And no doubt, it’s much cheaper than buying them every day.  You also have the freedom to experiment with ingredients and know what is going in that cup.  Using honey to sweeten your coffee drinks is a great way to add some natural sweetness. Try making this Honey Bee Latte in your own kitchen and you may have a new favorite.

You will find many honey recipes that are easy to make and delicious. In many cases, you don’t have to use a lot of honey to make a sweet difference. Sometimes, you may not even taste the honey – just the sweetness.

Making Honey Lattes at Home

Nothing like a good coffee drink to get you up and going in the morning. But, whew – those things are expensive. And, who knows what really goes in there?

Some people enjoy using honey in their coffee drinks instead of regular sugar – me too. Honey is a natural sweetener-a natural sugar.

Yes, it is sugar and therefore it does have calories. However, because honey is sweeter than regular granulated sugar – you may be able to use less of it in your recipes.

Honey is made by honey bees from plant nectar. This special food is stored in the hive for use by the bees during the cold months of Winter.  Thankfully, these industrious insects are able to make much more than they need.

Beekeepers harvest the excess honey at the end of the season. Properly stored honey lasts virtually forever and can be used in many ways.

As you make your honey bee latte, you will have to experiment a bit regarding the ingredient amounts.  What tastes sweet to one person, may seem rather bland to another. Taste is always a bit variable from one person to another.

Another way to get some variety in your coffee is to use different varieties of honey. Not every jar tastes the same as they come from different nectar sources. 

Though not always true – honey color can give a hint of the expected flavor. Darker honey tends to be stronger while light colors are milder.

Some of the best honeys in the world have different flavors and aroma. It may require a bit of trial and error to find your favorite.

Oh no, you are going to have to drink another coffee to see if this one is better? I think you’ve got this – you can do it.

Ingredients

Espresso: Espresso shots are the basic beginning for almost any latte. There are many different variations in shots but in its most basic form each drink gets 1 shot of espresso. This will be a small quantity of liquid that is quite strong.

Of course, you can add two or three espresso shots if you want but realize that the stronger the drink-the bigger chance of the floral undertones of honey being overwhelmed. 

Espresso machines sell for thousands of dollars or you can buy one for under $30 at a local store. Do what you can afford, you can always upgrade later.

Some coffee enthusiasts just use shots of strong coffee beans for the espresso. Go ahead, I won’t tell.

Milk: Properly steamed milk is an important component of my honey bee latte. You have many choices to consider. Some people prefer regular whole milk but 2% is a favorite of others. Some coffee drinkers enjoy soy milk or almond milk in their drinks.

Honey: I always prefer to use raw honey over regular honey in any of my recipes. This is just a personal preference so you can use any type that you prefer. Basic honey is often called “Wildflower” because it is a combination of many nectar sources.

If you want to get really creative, make a honey bee latte with Orange Blossom, Clover or Tupelo honey (just to name a few.) 

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a popular topper added to many recipes. Sprinkling some ground cinnamon on top of the foam of your honey bee latte gives it a special appearance and flavor. However, it is optional – you might prefer nutmeg or none at all.

This is only one small way to add honey to your diet. And, if you are someone who does not care for the taste of honey (Oh my!) – well this is a good way to add some to your menu.

Other Honey Goodies to Pair

Honey added to tea or coffee is a practice that dates back ages. Let’s face it, this was one of the first ways to sweeten any drink or food.

It’s great in cold drinks too – try this recipe for honey lemonade. Here too the flavor of honey used will affect then end taste of your lemonade.

Another cool treat is making homemade honey popsicles with Greek yogurt and berries of your choice. I do not like yogurt – but with enough berries and honey… it’s not so bad.

If you need a honey themed baked good to go with your special coffee drink, how about these Honey Blueberry Scones?

Or if something lighter and more crispy appeals to you.. Crispy Honey Bee Cookies work well. And, if you really want to bring a smile to a child’s face – whip up these honey bee cake pops.

But don’t forget, honey has a lot of other uses in and out of the kitchen. It is a great thing to keep on hand in the pantry.