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HONEY COCKTAILS you thought honey was just something to squeeze out of a plastic bear and drop into a cup of tea, think again: This all-natural sweetener is a powerful cocktail component that's ready for its moment in the spotlight. September is National Honey Month, so in honor of the buzz-worthy ingredient, THE TASTING PANEL got the run down on honey cocktails from beverage industry consultant, Kim Haasarud. We met up with Kim at Fleming's Steakhouse in El Segundo, CA, where she's been consulting to create an elevated beverage program focused on new takes on classics—including a few honey-based options. "Honey is a great ingredient in cocktails because it is so flavor wide in it stirred for use and infusions." basic Start with a "honey syrup" instead of a standard simple syrup. "It's all about mastering the texture," comments Kim, who admits that this is the most important step in mastering the art of honey cocktails. "All you need to do is mix honey with warm water in a 2:1 ratio until you get it to a workable place. You can also muddle it with a lemon wedge, if you're building a muddled cocktail, and that's usually enough to dilute it." Varietals matter! You thought all honey was the same? Not so! "Once you start to explore honey, you'll find some really different nuances among the varietals," explains Kim, adding that honey varietals differ based on where the bees sourced their nectar (that is, the floral source). "Lighter-colored honeys like Alfalfa and Orange Blossom tend to have a more delicate flavor, while darker honeys like Wildflower and Buckwheat have a bolder taste," explains Kim. Not all honey cocktails are alike. Just because you use honey doesn't mean you're creating a hon- ey-flavored cocktail. "Honey can definitely be used as a flavoring agent, but it's a really great backbone to cocktails that can help bring other flavors forward," explains Kim. "For example, you might not expect honey in a Bloody Mary, but Buckwheat honey has some almost savory components that really add a nice unexpected touch." Explore, explore, explore! "Go to your local farmer's market or specialty food store—there's always someone with honey, and it varies from location to location. It's even more fun to track down regional varietals when you are traveling. They'll all taste different and work well with different spirits and in different cocktails." Honey 101 Oh, Hone AND HOW TO Cocktail consultant Kim Haasarud shows us how to have fun with honey— and make great cocktails.