Honey Trap

Honey Trap

The Honey Trap is a honey ginger cocktail with a sting worthy of the name. SWOL Añejo gives it an oaky backbone, honey syrup brings the sweet lure, and fresh ginger juice adds a warming bite. A quarter ounce of mezcal floats smoke underneath, and a bee pollen salt rim finishes it with something floral and savory. It is built on the rocks and garnished with lime and mint. Rim the glass while the honey is still tacky so the bee pollen salt sticks cleanly. Below are the ratios, the ginger juice method, and how to rim the glass.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 oz SWOL Añejo Tequila (the hero, aged for oak that anchors the ginger and honey; replaces the Mijenta reposado on the current page)
  • 3/4 oz honey syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water)
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (for acid and lift)
  • 1/4 oz fresh ginger juice (for the warming sting)
  • 1/4 oz mezcal (a smoky float under the sweetness)
  • Rim: bee pollen and kosher salt, applied while the honey is tacky
  • Garnish: lime and mint
HOW TO PREPARE
  1. Wipe the outer rim of a rocks glass with honey, then roll it in the bee pollen and kosher salt mix so it sticks.
  2. Add SWOL Añejo, honey syrup, lemon juice, ginger juice, and mezcal to a shaker.
  3. Fill with ice and shake for 12 to 15 seconds.
  4. Strain over one large cube in the rimmed rocks glass.
  5. Garnish with lime and a mint sprig and serve.
Style of Glass to use
  • Rocks Glass
Garnishes
  • Lime, Mint

How to make fresh ginger juice?

Grate a knob of peeled ginger and squeeze the pulp through a fine strainer or cheesecloth, or run ginger through a juicer. Fresh juice gives clean heat that ginger beer or syrup cannot match. Make it to order for the brightest sting.

The bee pollen salt rim

Mix roughly equal parts bee pollen and kosher salt. Coat the outer edge of the glass with honey so it is tacky, then press it into the mix. Rimming only the outer edge keeps the drink from turning salty. Bee pollen adds a floral, slightly savory note that ties back to the honey.

Honey ginger cocktail balance

This is a honey ginger cocktail at heart: honey for sweetness, ginger for heat, lemon for acid. Add ginger a little at a time if you want more kick, or ease the honey up for a drier, spicier profile. The mezcal float is subtle; increase it only if you want the smoke forward.

Make it a batch

For 8, combine 12 oz SWOL Añejo, 6 oz honey syrup, 6 oz lemon juice, 2 oz ginger juice, and 2 oz mezcal. Add cold water for dilution, chill, and pour over fresh ice with rimmed glasses prepared just before serving.

Non-alcoholic version

Skip the tequila and mezcal, use a non-alcoholic agave spirit or extra ginger and lemon over ice, keep the honey and the bee pollen rim, and top with a splash of soda for a spicy honey ginger mocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a honey ginger cocktail?

A drink built on honey and ginger; the Honey Trap uses SWOL Añejo with honey syrup, fresh ginger juice, and lemon.

Is the Honey Trap spicy?

Yes, the fresh ginger gives a warming sting balanced by honey.

What does the mezcal do?

A small float adds smoke beneath the sweetness without taking over.

What is a bee pollen rim?

Bee pollen mixed with salt, pressed onto a honey-tacky glass edge for a floral, savory finish.

Can I use ginger beer instead of ginger juice?

You can, but fresh juice gives cleaner, sharper heat.

Up or on the rocks?

On the rocks over one large cube, so it opens slowly.

Which tequila should I use?

SWOL Añejo; its oak stands up to the ginger and mezcal.

Honey Trap TIPS

Rim your glass while the honey’s still tacky so that bee pollen salt sticks perfectly. That ginger juice adds a subtle sting worthy of the name.

MADE WITH

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release (750Ml)

750 ML

$124.99

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release is an extremely limited edition; a special release of just 10,000 bottles. Each hand-numbered bottle has a peel-off iron patch which is designed by Los Angeles-based artist Rise Work.

Combining ancient and modern techniques and a deep love and passion for Authentic Tequila, SWOL Tequila comes from Mexico. When two friends journeyed to Mexico...

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