USAMike's Hot Honey was created in Brooklyn in 2010 by Mike Kurtz — he started drizzling chili-infused honey on pizza at Paulie Gee's and it became a cult condiment overnight. Today it's sold across the US and copied by thousands of home cooks. The secret is balance: good honey, the right heat level, and that essential splash of vinegar to cut the sweetness.
Best ways to use hot honey: drizzle on pizza or flatbreads, pour over fried chicken or wings, serve with a cheese board (brie and cheddar especially), roasted vegetables (carrots, sweet potato, cauliflower), sandwiches, burgers, yogurt bowls, popcorn — or stir half a teaspoon into lemonade for a spicy twist.
Mike's Hot Honey
A homemade version of the cult American condiment — pure liquid honey infused with red chili flakes and a touch of apple cider vinegar. Sweet, spicy, and perfectly balanced. Drizzle it on pizza, fried chicken, cheese boards, or roasted vegetables.
Key Ingredients
What you'll need
Ingredients
- 240 mlSee recipes with liquid honey
liquid honey (mild — clover or wildflower, not buckwheat)
i - 2 tspSee recipes with red pepper flakes
red pepper flakes (start with 2 for medium, up to 4 for hot)
i - 1 tspSee recipes with apple cider vinegar
apple cider vinegar
i - 0.25 tspSee recipes with salt
salt (optional)
i - 0.25 tspSee recipes with cayenne pepper
cayenne pepper (optional, for deeper heat)
i
How to make it
Instructions
- 1
Combine honey and red pepper flakes in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan. For extra heat, add seeds and ribs from fresh chili if using.
- 2
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the honey just begins to bubble gently at the edges — do not let it boil. Temperature should not exceed 80-90 C. This takes 2-5 minutes.
- 3
Remove from heat immediately when first bubbles appear. Let steep for 15-30 minutes — the longer it steeps, the spicier it gets. Taste every 5-10 minutes and return to heat for 1 minute if you want more heat.
- 4
Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean jar, removing the pepper flakes (leave some in for extra heat and visual effect if you prefer).
- 5
While still warm, stir in apple cider vinegar and salt if using. Mix well. Let cool completely to room temperature before sealing.
- 6
Store in a sealed glass jar in a cool dark place for up to 6-12 months. If it thickens in the fridge, microwave for 10 seconds to loosen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of honey is best for making Mike's Hot Honey at home?
Use a mild liquid honey — clover or wildflower work best. Avoid buckwheat honey as it's too intense and overpowers the chili flavor. Good quality raw honey gives the best result.
What temperature should honey reach when making hot honey — how to avoid overheating?
Do not let the honey boil — heat only to 80-90 C maximum. Remove from heat the moment the first bubbles appear at the edges. Overheated honey loses its aroma and becomes too thin.
Why add apple cider vinegar to hot honey — can it be skipped?
The vinegar is essential — it adds a tangy balance that cuts the sweetness and makes the flavor closer to the original Mike's. Without it the honey tastes cloying. Just 1-2 teaspoons make a real difference.
How long does homemade hot honey keep and what is the best way to store it?
Store in a sealed glass jar in a cool dark place for up to 6-12 months. In the refrigerator it keeps up to a year. If it thickens in the cold, microwave for 10 seconds to loosen.
How to adjust the heat level of homemade hot honey — mild versus fire version?
Start with 2 teaspoons of flakes for mild (like Mike's Original). Taste every 5-10 minutes while steeping — return to heat for 1 minute and add more flakes for more heat. For a fire version replace flakes with half a habanero plus cayenne.
France
Join the conversation
Comments
Loading comments…