Throughout the summer months, honey has become a highlight ingredient in Denver’s cocktail scene, especially at Lady Jane in the LoHi neighborhood. The bar’s general manager, Stuart Weaver, has been experimenting with honey in innovative ways, such as a syrup infused with blistered shishito peppers and another made from fermented orange blossom honey. He has previously used Scottish heather honey to enrich a peaty scotch cocktail called "Nine Deaths."

Weaver emphasizes the versatility of honey, reflecting its unique flavor characteristics that vary depending on the floral sources near the bees. He speaks fondly of his father’s hobbyist beekeeping in Texas and encourages bartenders to explore different honey varieties at local farmers’ markets to find the best pairings for their cocktails.

For those looking to incorporate honey into their cocktails, Weaver suggests a gold rule: dilute your honey. His team utilizes a 3:1 honey-to-water ratio for creating syrup, which is a fundamental component in many honey-based drinks. He also shares a few cocktail recipes that at-home bartenders can easily prepare:

Gold Rush

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces bourbon
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce honey syrup

Directions:
Shake and fine strain into a rocks glass over a large cube.

Bee’s Knees

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce honey syrup

Directions:
Shake and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Airmail

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces white or lightly-aged rum
• 3/4 ounce honey syrup
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 2 ounces prosecco
• Mint leaves for garnish

Directions:
Shake and fine strain over prosecco in a chilled coupe glass and garnish with mint.

Visitors looking to savor honey-infused cocktails can try them at various local bars. Notable mentions include:

• Call Me Pearl: Offers an Old Fashioned made with lavender honey. Visit Call Me Pearl
• Leven Deli Co: Features a Matcha Martini sweetened with honey simple syrup. Visit Leven Deli
• Rare Bird: Known for its Flor de Lola cocktail with tequila, honey, and lime. Visit Rare Bird
• Olive & Finch: Serves a honey-infused riff on the classic French 75. Visit Olive & Finch

This summer, explore the sweetness of honey cocktails that warmly complement the season’s flavors.