Fresh local strawberries are a highlight of the summer - juicy, sweet and soooo much tastier than the out-of-season grocery store variety. Honey is a perfect complement to their sweetness.

To celebrate strawberry season, here are some of our 5 favourite ways to combine honey and strawberries, aside from just dipping them in honey - YUM!!!

1. Strawberries, Honey and Vanilla Ice cream

Have you ever drizzled Gees Bees Wildflower Honey on vanilla ice cream? Oh my gosh - you have to try it!

On top of ice cream, the honey cools quickly and becomes thicker, making it a scrumptious topping.

Add fresh sliced strawberries and you're in heaven. And while you're at it, add a slice of angel food cake :D

(Repeat in raspberry season and peach season)

2. Strawberry Honey Lemonade Popsicles

Recipe from the National Honey Board

YIELD: Makes 8-10 popsicles

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, washed and stemmed, 1/2 cup reserved and diced

• 1/2 cup fresh or prepared lemon juice

• 1/2 cup Gees Bees Wildflower Honey

• 1 cup water

DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients except the 1/2 cup diced strawberries in a blender and mix on high until the strawberries are completely incorporated, about 1 minute.

Divide the diced strawberries between the popsicle molds and carefully pour the strawberry lemonade mixture to the top of each mold.

Insert the popsicle sticks in each mold and freeze until the popsicles are completely frozen.

3. Strawberry Salad with Honey Balsamic Reduction

Now that you've filled up on honey ice cream and popsicles, here's a delicious summer salad - strawberries, mixed greens, and honey balsamic reduction are perfectly combined.

INGREDIENTS

For the Balsamic Reduction:

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar

• 1/4 cup Gees Bees Wildflower Honey

For the Salad:

• 1 lb. mixed spring greens

• 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced in half

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)

DIRECTIONS

To make the balsamic reduction, place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until reduced in volume by half, about 15 minutes. Add the honey and continue to cook until the mixture is a very thick syrup that easily coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat.

Arrange the mixed greens on a plate and top with strawberries. Drizzle the salad with the olive oil, then drizzle a thin stream of the balsamic reduction over the salad, making sure to get it on the berries. Scatter the cheese and the sliced almonds, if using, on top.

4. Honey Orange Strawberry Cocktail

Hot June days call for refreshing mocktails and cocktails. This one, from the National Honey Board, hits the mark.

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

For Honey Berry Syrup:

• 1/2 cup blueberry honey

• 1/2 cup filtered cold water

• 2 cups 100% orange juice

• 2 cups fresh stawberries thinly sliced

• 3 cups sparkling water, chilled. (for a cocktail, replace with Prosecco)

For Garnish:

• 4 fresh orange slices

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

• 4 large fresh mint sprigs

DIRECTIONS

For Honey Berry Syrup (The honey berry syrup can be prepared a day in advance, to simplify prep):

Place blueberry honey, filtered water, orange juice, and 2 cups sliced strawberries in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer approximately 5 minutes.  

Remove saucepan from heat, then smash all the strawberries in the saucepot to a pulp, with a spoon, and allow mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, strain through a super fine mesh strainer or dampened cheesecloth into a bowl, using a spoon to push on the solids to extract as much of the liquid, color and flavor as possible.

Place the honey berry syrup in the refrigerator to chill. Discard any solids in the strainer.

Pour equal amounts of the chilled honey berry syrup into each of the 4 serving glasses, and then pour 3/4 cup sparkling water into each glass. Add one orange slice, 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and one fresh mint sprig to each glass and stir. Top off each glass with ice cubes.   Serve and enjoy!

5. Strawberry Honey Crisp

Fruit crisps and cobblers are an easy summer favourite - first up is strawberry, then peach, then apple! Dolloped with a bit of honey whipped cream or ice cream. Here's just one recipe that we love: https://www.forkknifeswoon.com/strawberry-honey-oat-crisps/

Enjoy!