The 6 Best Hot Honey Brands, Reviewed (Not Just for Their Heat but Overall Flavor)
Heat isn’t *everything* (but it's important)
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The devil works hard, but Mike’s Hot Honey works harder. The brand, which is credited with popularizing hot honey in the States—and arguably led the sweet and spicy, or “swicy,” craze—is featured in everything from KFC menus to Burt’s Bees lip balm. But they’re not the only player in the game. With a new hot honey popping up every few weeks (or so it seems), which ones are the best?
I decided to find out, reviewing and evaluating hot honey brands based on their viscosity, texture, heat level, overall balance of flavors and packaging (because no one wants to deal with leaky honey). Here are our top six—and how they compare.
How I Tested Each Hot Honey
After taking in editor recommendations and surveying the market, I (and other editors) sampled the hot honey on multiple foods, from pizza to fries, as well as on its own. We evaluated it on the aforementioned criteria, with a focus on overall flavor and heat above all else, and noting any issues we found along the way. These are what we’re deeming the best hot honey brands out there right now.
I included a heat rating for each, based on a one to five scale, with one being about as spicy as black pepper, a three being more like Tabasco or Cholula hot sauce, and five being eye-watering, throat-scorching ghost pepper-caliber.
The Best Hot Honey, Reviewed
Best Overall Hot Honey
melinda's
There’s no clearer signal that you’ve got a winner on your hands than when it disappears fastest from the table. Melinda’s Hot Honey was devoured fastest in our testing, and not just because it’s served in an easy-to-dispense plastic squeeze bottle. It had the best medium heat of the bunch, featuring a combination of Colombian honey and chile peppers. It offers a satisfyingly bold kick without totally taking over the flavor profile of a dish.
Fast Facts
- Heat Level: 3.5/5
- Pairs Well With: roasted vegetables (especially corn), ice cream, roasted chicken
Best with Cheese & Charcuterie
drizzle
It’s time to level up your cheeseboard, and this is just the way to do it. Speckled with crushed chiles, this raw honey is satisfyingly thick, making it an ideal spread to pair with cheese and crackers without creating a drippy mess. There are some light floral notes, giving this honey a more artisanal, luxe flavor than the competition. Just be warned that the heat builds quickly, so take it easy with your first drizzle.
Fast Facts
- Heat Level: 4/5
- Pairs Well With: cheese (especially brie) and crackers
Best Mild Hot Honey
nature nate's
Nature Nate’s has been a longtime staple in my household for its thick, flavorful honey, and its foray into heat upholds that standard. This gluten-free condiment leans more “honey” than “hot,” despite its infusion of habanero chili pepper flakes. There’s also a slight tanginess from white vinegar, making it a great topping to cut through the grease and complement the succulent flavor of fried chicken cutlets and wings. (Just note that while tasty, this bottle tends to leak a bit more than others.)
Fast Facts
- Heat Level: 2/5
- Pairs Well With: chicken sandwiches, wings
Best for Drizzling
bee's knees
This small-batch spicy honey has garnered a fan following for its smooth consistency (which makes it ideal for drizzling) and well-balanced flavor. "It has the perfect blend of sweet to spicy, and viscosity that's smoother and less gloopy than others on the market," says PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint. "I love it on pizza, though it's also heaven on meats and pastries."
Fast Facts
- Heat Level: 3.5/5
- Pairs Well With: pizza, pastries, meat, lattes
Sweetest Hot Honey
mike's hot honey
If you’re looking to ease into trying hot honey, go with the OG. Mike’s is the crowd pleaser of the hot honey brands, with a subtle heat that gives way to a (largely) palate-cleansing sweetness. It’s closest in viscosity to regular, store-bought honey, making it a great pairing for chicken biscuit sandwiches, or amplifying the flavor in cornbread. Consider it a barbecue or brunch must-have condiment.
Fast Facts
- Heat Level: 2/5
- Pairs Well With: biscuits, cornbread
The Spiciest Hot Honey
melinda's
Melinda’s takes not one but two categories?! Yes. After sampling a few “extra hot” honey options, the ghost pepper stood out for its sheer tongue-searing ability. It lives up to its ghost pepper claims, and while it was too much for me, our hot sauce-loving testers really appreciated the burn. “I have to cut it with some regular hot honey when I put it on pizza,” one tester told me. “Straight up, it’s just too much. A few drops goes a long way.”
Fast Facts
- Heat Level: 5/5
- Pairs Well With: Brussels sprouts, pizza
VP of editorial content
- Oversees home, food and commerce articles
- Author of two cookbooks and has contributed recipes to three others
- Named one of 2023's Outstanding Young Alumni at the University of South Florida, where she studied mass communications and business
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