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so versatile," explains Haasarud. "You can use it as a flavor ingredient and to replace other sweeteners in a wide range of cocktails and with a variety of spirits." "In a Margarita or a Whiskey Sour, you can use it in a simple syrup, and it plays beautifully. You can use in Champagne cocktails, or you can even use it in stirred drinks like an Old Fashioned—just swap honey for the classic sugar cube!" "Because it is an all-natural sweetener, I can also use it in a wide variety of beverages from smoothies and kid's drinks to beer cocktails and all sorts of infusions." To get things started, Kim offered up the following basic "Honey How-To's": Hone ý Sweet Spirit Pairings TO MAKE THEM by Rachel Burkons PHOTO: CAL BIGHAM W ith so much diversity among honey varietals, dif- ferent types of honey help make spirits sing. Here are some great honey-spirit pairings that Kim recommends: Gin: Orange Blossom honey enhances floral notes in a light, floral-driven gin, while Alfalfa honey brings out the best in citrusy and London Dry–style gins. Scotch: Buckwheat honey can really boost a single malt. "Scotches with really strong, smoky flavors take on a chocolaty, almost mocha-coffee note with the addition of Buckwheat honey. It really boosts the best part of the Scotch," says Kim. Vodka: Orange Blossom honey brings out the best in vodkas. "Grain vodkas taste like a direct extension of this honey," says Kim, "whereas Wildflower honeys pair better with potato vodkas. The honey accents the earthiness and creaminess of the potato vodka." Rum: Wildflower honey is a great pairing for a variety of rum styles. With white rums, vanilla notes come shining through, and dark chocolate, caramel and toffee notes are enhanced in aged rums. Tequila: Orange Blossom honey accentuates herbaceous notes in silver tequilas, whereas Clover honey brings out an almost wood- aged element in silver tequilas and lengthens reposado. Añejo tequilas are beautiful with Wildflower and Buckwheat honeys. Bourbon, Irish Whiskey and Rye: While Orange Blossom honey is too light-bodied for bourbon, it's a match made in heaven with Irish whiskey, bringing forward unexpected floral notes. Clover honey brings out barrel notes in bourbon and brings out confectionary notes in ryes.