Floral honey is definitely not something you see every day, but when I tell you this vegan honey with acacia flowers is worth making, I mean it. This syrup is sweet, delicate, and infused with the gentle aroma of white acacia flowers, perfect for drizzling over pancakes, stirring into tea, or even using as a cake soak. My favorite thing about it is that it’s completely NATURAL and plant-based.

Now, if you’ve never foraged for acacia flowers before, it’s a great experience. I’m not someone who usually picks flowers if I’m being completely honest. I’m an attorney by day and a creative by night. But I do love natural recipes, and white acacia flowers are beautifully fragrant.

When you pick them fresh on a sunny morning, the whole process feels a little magical. So, if you’re up for a little adventure (and a seriously unique homemade syrup), you’ll love this recipe.

If acacia flowers aren’t available to you, here are some substitutions you can try:

Rose petals: For a more floral twist, rose petals bring a lovely fragrance and color
Elderflowers: These have a similar fragrance and are often used in syrup recipes.
Linden flowers: Known for their mild, honey-like aroma, they can make good syrup.
Chamomile flowers: If you’re looking for a lighter, herbal note, chamomile is a great option.

What is Acacia Flower Honey?

Technically, real acacia honey comes from bees that collect nectar from acacia trees, but in this recipe, I made a vegan version using foraged white acacia flowers and a homemade apple-pectin base to give it that thick, honey-like consistency.

This recipe is a floral-infused syrup that mimics honey’s texture while keeping all the delicate notes of the flowers intact.

How to Use Vegan Honey with Acacia Flowers

Once you have this vegan syrup in your pantry, the possibilities are endless:

Stir it into herbal teas for a floral-sweet touch.
Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or crepes.
Use it as a natural sweetener for fruit salads.
Pour it over ice cream or panna cotta (trust me, SO good!).
Use it to soak cakes or pastries for extra moisture and flavor.

Vegan Honey with Acacia Flowers Recipe

Writing this recipe took me a bit more time than usual because of the steps involved, which might seem complicated at first but really aren’t. I hope the recipe is easy to follow! I’ve also included some photos to guide you through the process, along with a simplified recipe card for you to print and keep on hand.

Ingredients:

2 handfuls of fresh white acacia flowers
2 medium apples (sour apples work best)
2 cups of water
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/2 tsp citric acid

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pectin Broth

To start, you need to make the base for your floral honey the pectin broth.

Slice the apples, including the peel and seeds (they have lots of pectin).
Place the sliced apples in a saucepan and cover with water.
Boil on low heat for about 30 minutes, until the apples are soft.

2. Strain and Make Syrup

After boiling, strain the liquid through gauze or a fine sieve. Press the pulp slightly to get as much liquid as possible.
You should have about 1 1/3 cups of liquid.
Return the liquid to the saucepan and add sugar (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups).
Add citric acid if using.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until the syrup thickens.

Step 3: Infuse the Acacia Flowers

While your syrup is cooking, separate the acacia flowers from the branches and rinse them in cold water.
Add the flowers to the syrup. Cover and let them sit for 2-3 hours to infuse and become fragrant.
After 2-3 hours, boil the syrup and let it infuse for another 3 hours.

Step 4: Strain and Test the Syrup

After infusion, strain out the flowers from the syrup. To check if the syrup is ready, drop a small amount on a cold saucer. If the drop doesn’t spread, the syrup is thick enough.

Step 5: Jar and Store

Pour the hot syrup into sterilized jars and seal them tightly while still hot. Allow them to cool before storing.

Store your acacia flower syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Notes:

Pick your flowers in the morning when they’re fresh but before the sun gets too strong. This helps preserve their delicate aroma.
Sour apples work best because they contain more natural pectin, which helps thicken the syrup.
Don’t skip the infusion time! This is what gives the syrup its floral, honey-like flavor.
Store it properly: because this is a homemade, preservative-free recipe, keeping it in the fridge ensures it stays fresh.

This homemade vegan acacia honey is such a special treat. It’s light, floral, and just the right amount of sweet. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about foraging your own ingredients and turning them into something delicious.

So, if you ever find yourself near an acacia tree in full bloom, take it as a sign, it’s time to make some floral honey.

Vegan Honey with Acacia Flowers

Print Recipe

This homemade acacia flower vegan honey is a fragrant, sweet treat made by infusing fresh acacia flowers into a pectin-rich apple broth. Perfect for drizzling over pancakes, desserts, or enjoying in your favorite beverages!

Ingredients

4-5 apples with peel and seeds
1 1/3 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp citric acid optional
Fresh acacia flowers

Instructions

Make Pectin Broth: Slice apples (with peel and seeds) and place in a saucepan. Add water and boil on low heat for 30 minutes.
Strain: Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or gauze, pressing the pulp. You should have 1 1/3 cups of liquid.
Make the Syrup: Return liquid to the saucepan, add sugar and citric acid. Boil, then cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring until syrup thickens.
Infuse with Flowers: Rinse acacia flowers, add to the syrup, cover, and let sit for 2-3 hours. Then, boil for another 3 hours.
After infusion, strain out the flowers from the syrup. To check if the syrup is ready, drop a small amount on a cold saucer. If the drop doesn’t spread, the syrup is thick enough.

Notes

Refrigerate for up to 2 months.

Homemade Vegan Honey Recipe with Acacia Flowers

What is Acacia Flower Honey?

How to Use Vegan Honey with Acacia Flowers

Vegan Honey with Acacia Flowers Recipe

Ingredients: