How to Make Homemade Honeysuckle Syrup

Ingredients & equipment you'll need

Step 1 — Rinse the honeysuckle flowers

Rinse your honeysuckle flowers under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Only the blooms are edible — the rest of the plant is toxic — so carefully remove any green parts, stems, or leaves before moving on. Take your time with this step, since it's the most important one for making sure your syrup is safe to use.

Step 2 — Simmer the flowers in water

Place all the rinsed flowers into a pot and add about one cup of water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, being careful not to let it come to a full boil. Let it simmer this way for about an hour so the flowers can release their fragrance and flavor into the water.

Step 3 — Add sugar and thicken to a syrup

After the hour of simmering, start adding sugar to the pot until the mixture thickens and reaches a sweet, honey-like consistency. Add the sugar gradually and taste as you go so you can stop once the sweetness and thickness are right for your taste.

Step 4 — Optional: add calendula or marigolds

At this stage, once the syrup has thickened, you can stir in dried calendula or marigolds to enhance both the color and flavor. On its own, honeysuckle syrup takes on a soft greenish yellow color as the petals and leaves become translucent during simmering — the calendula or marigolds give you a way to deepen that color if you'd like a richer look.

Step 5 — Strain, cool, and store

Once you're happy with the taste and appearance of your syrup, strain it into a sterilized container using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the spent flowers. Allow the syrup to cool completely before sealing the container and storing it in the refrigerator. Use it as a natural sweetener for coffee or tea, and refrigerate any leftovers to keep it fresh.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to use any part of the honeysuckle plant in the syrup?
No. Only the honeysuckle blooms are edible — the rest of the plant is toxic. Rinse the flowers well and carefully remove any green parts before adding them to your syrup.

What can I add to enhance the color and flavor of honeysuckle syrup?
Dried calendula or marigolds can be added once the syrup reaches a sweet, honey-like consistency. They deepen the color beyond the syrup's natural greenish-yellow tone and add extra flavor.

How long does it take to make homemade honeysuckle syrup?
The syrup simmers gently for about an hour before sugar is added and thickened, followed by straining and cooling. Total preparation time is approximately 1.5 hours.

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