Celebrate Matariki with a cozy catch-up and a cocktail that brings a true taste of Aotearoa. This warming winter drink blends bourbon, lemon and the rich, earthy sweetness of mānuka honey — perfect for stargazing nights and sharing stories.
Fun fact: Mānuka honey is made by bees who gather nectar from the mānuka bush, a native New Zealand shrub that only flowers for a few short weeks each year. A rare bloom, for a rare drink!
Ingredients:
50ml Bourbon
20ml Fresh lemon juice
15ml Mānuka honey syrup (see below)
Hot water (optional – for a toddy version)
Lemon wheel or thyme sprig (to garnish)
To make Mānuka Honey Syrup:
Mix equal parts mānuka honey and hot water until smooth. (e.g., 2 tbsp honey + 2 tbsp hot water)
Method (Shaken):
Add bourbon, lemon juice, and mānuka honey syrup to a shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Garnish with a lemon wheel or sprig of thyme.
Optional Hot Toddy Version:
Add bourbon, lemon juice, and mānuka honey syrup to a mug.
Top with hot water and stir.
Garnish with lemon and enjoy fireside!
