Author: The Honey Reviewer

  • Green Bee | Honeycomb Cider Review

    Green Bee | Honeycomb Cider Review

    Do you love trying out new kinds of soda? Do you also love cider in the Fall? Well, then you’re in for a real treat today! I am going to be reviewing Green Bee Honey Soda Honeycomb Cider. This stuff is amazing! It has the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and it tastes just like a fizzy refreshing apple cider. If you’re looking for delicious new soda’s to try, be sure to check out Green Bee. You won’t regret it!

    I’ve reviewed the Green Tea and Lemon Sting, and finally the Honeycomb Cider.

    green bee honeycomb cider honey soda
    • Honey: Smooth and balanced perfectly with apples and cinnamon.
    • Flavor: Refreshing mulled apples, honey and cinnamon.
    • Aroma: Fresh peeled apples, citrus, cinnamon and a slight musk of honey.
    • Color: One of the darker of the three I tried. Tinted with white and yellow and a heavy golden tinge from the honeycomb, apples and cinnamon.
    • Texture: Carbonated, light and subtle bits of sediment on the bottom of glass.

    “Our vision for the future is sustainable growth that allows us to share our
    natural, healthier, bee-friendly soda with everyone. ”

    -Chris Kinkade, Green Bee Founder

    I found Green Bee Honey Soda at the local Rhino market here in NoDa within the city of Charlotte, NC. Rhino market carries lots of local products like beer, coffee, snacks and made to order sandwiches. They have fantastic management that will order new products like Green Bee Honey Soda for customers to try out.

    rhino market north davidson charlotte, nc thehoneyreview
    Rhino Market & Deli off N. Davidson, Charlotte, NC

    Green Bee Honeycomb Cider Review

    Lemon Sting was Green Bees’ first flavor and it started in the Owner Chris’s Kitchen. He mixed honey from his hives with juice and herbs. His kids loved it so he decided to create Green Bee. They opened up a manufacturing facility in Brunswick, Maine. It seems many love the Honeycomb Cider. Fun fact Sarah Jessica Parker drank it on set in Sex and the City.

    I’ve been lucky enough to try several flavors locally in North Carolina. It should be available in more areas throughout the mid-Atlantic region soon because of their expansion in 2020.

    Flavors Available:

    Ginger, Wild Blueberry and Lemon Sparkling Waters.

    Also, Lemon Sting, Ginger Buzz, Green Tea, Honeycomb Cider and Blueberry Dream Honey Sodas. I can’t wait to try their other flavors and products.

    I plan on reviewing them all, so be sure to check back.

    They even have some fun collaborations they released and you can reach out with your beverage idea and email them here: info@drinkgreenbee.com.

    Who knows, maybe I’ll submit one!

    Price

    You can order them online for $2.59 per Honey Soda or buy a dozen for $2.45 each. I found them at my local neighborhood market for $2.49. If you want a sample, order the case with one of each flavor for $12.89 directly from Green Bee via WellBees.

    Just Five Ingredients:
    Carbonated Water, Apple Cider, Honey, Cinnamon, Citric Acid (non-GMO)
    That reflects in the taste. It’s real, and taste Homemade. Only 130 calories per bottle and I don’t feel bad about the 33g of Sugar because it’s from Honey and Apples. Not HFCS.

    Honeycomb Cider &

    Maine Apple Cider Blend

    • 130 calories per bottle
    • Carbonated Water, Apple Cider, Honey, Cinnamon, Citric Acid (non-GMO).
    • 33 total grams of sugar

    Perfect For Fall

    Green Bee Honey Sodas are a delicious and refreshing drink when it is really hot outside or in the fall with the brisk mountain air. They have a cool, smooth and subtly sweet taste. You’ll find me out back relaxing and drinking these on the patio. I used to drink a lot of Soda, but now I tend to stick to seltzers if I want something carbonated and fruity. I had never heard of Honey Soda until I found Green Bees, but now I really like them. My favorite so far is the Honeycomb Cider.

    If you’re into these kind of Honey based beverages, also consider Me & The Bees Lemonade, and Prickly Pear Lemonade.

    Green Bee Honeycomb Cider Review

    The Honey Review

    Honey
    Color
    Aroma
    Flavor
    Texture

    Summary

    This was the second Green Bee Honey Soda I tried. The Honeycomb Cider being my favorite. This is less of a Soda and more of a Sparkling Cider. It’s very different to the Lemon Sting which has more bite and tartness. However, there is less of a Honey taste in this compared to the Lemon Sting.

    This blend is 100% Fall. It’s refreshing, light and goes perfect with the North Carolina foliage and Appalachian mountains. Crisp Apple flavor, cinnamon and Honey. The taste and smell really puts you in the mood for Autumn. I paired this with a Pumpkin Spice Donut from Milkbread in Charlotte, NC. It was divine.

    Out of the three Green Bee Honey Soda’s I’ve tried, this Cider has the most flavor and body. Green Tea was rather muted, but still refreshing, Lemon Sting is a near perfect Lemonade as Honey is the star in Lemon Sting.

    Everything about Green Bees Honey Soda is true to source and you’ll definitely be able to taste it. Don’t forget to slow roll the bottles to free up any sediment that has settled on the bottom. They have a beautiful commitment to sustainability and smaller businesses. No bottle opener necessary, these are twist off tops. I can’t wait to try other flavors.


    If you’re into Apple Cider, or Apple flavored Beverages, Check out Green Bee’s Honeycomb Cider. Goes great with Spiced Rum and a Cinnamon Stick. If you can’t find these locally, consider buying them direct from Green Bee.

    4.3
  • Doom Bloom | Spotted Lanternfly Wildflower Honey Review

    Doom Bloom | Spotted Lanternfly Wildflower Honey Review

    If you’re a fan of Honey, and live in Pennsylvania, then you need to check out Doom Bloom Honey. This unique honey is sourced from the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive species that has been causing problems for farmers in the area. But Don Shump, owner of Philadelphia Bee Co., saw an opportunity to turn this bad situation into something good. And he was successful!

    (more…)
  • Firebee Elderberry Honey Review

    Firebee Elderberry Honey Review

    Welcome to the Honey Review. If you’re new go ahead and subscribe for updates on all my future reviews. I received a new Honey to review out of Mulberry, Kansas. This is the second Firebee Honey I’ve featured on the blog, and I’m super excited to share it. It’s been in constant rotation for my tea’s and breakfast.

    Disclaimer:

    This is not a sponsored post, I received this set from Firebee in exchange for my honest review.

    Firebee has a variety of products in delicious flavors like Elderberry Honey, Peach and for those who like Hot Honey; Firebee’s Spicy Honey. The Spicy Honey is a new favorite for grilling burgers and chicken this summer and this Elderberry Honey has been fantastic in Tea’s, Oatmeal, and other snacks.

    Learn a little more about Firebee Honey and my thoughts on their Elderberry Honey in my review below.

    We Love Getting New Honey In The Mail

    I Have a New Honey Reviewer
    Hand Crafted Honey & Pup Approved

    Quick Ratings

    • Honey: Midwest sourced Honey from Wildflower
    • Flavor: Elderberry Subtle Tartness, Bold Sweetness
    • Aroma: Feint notes of berry with your classic musty Honey
    • Color: Mahogany, Purple and Gold
    • Texture: Thicker in body, easy pour with condiment bottle

    About Firebee Honey


    Firebee is hand crafted Honey that started as a home passion project. It started as a way to get creative and bring the family together at the dinner table. Incorporating it further by expanding beyond their Steelmade Flat Tops.

    The Steelmade Flat top converts a traditional oven into a flat top griddle. It was successful which helped them establish Firebee Honey.

    Firebee Honey operates out of Mulberry, Kansas where Bees get great seasonal advantages. This benefits Firebee because Midwest honey yields are often high. Every yard is different, but I’d expect they source their Honey from some very busy bees! This is why they’re able to offer an expansive product line. With so many flavor varieties and enticing infusion blends, Firebee has plenty to go around.

    Firebee Elderberry Honey

    Available Honey Flavors

    Firebee Honey offers standard flavors and a handful of infused blends as well. All bottles are plastic economical and refillable. They also offer a 19oz glass moonshine style jug for $18.99 or 38oz for $38.99. They’re beautiful.
    I recommend these over their plastic squeeze bottles for the additional $6.

    19oz or 38oz Glass Bottles

    12.9oz Plastic Squeeze Bottles

    Raw Sweet Honey

    firebee raw sweet honey

    Firebee Raw Honey 12.9oz Squeeze Bottle $11.99

    Vanilla Honey

    firebee vanilla honey

    Firebee Vanilla Honey 12.9oz Squeeze Bottle $11.99

    Cinnamon Honey

    firebee cinnamon honey

    Cinnamon Honey 12.9oz Squeeze Bottle $11.99

    Chocolate Honey

    firebee chocolate honey

    Chocolate Honey 12.9oz Squeeze Bottle $11.99

    Peach Honey

    firebee peach honey

    Peach Honey 12.9oz Squeeze Bottle $11.99

    Also Elderberry Honey, which I received in this set and the Spicy Honey.


    • Available in 19oz premium glass moonshine bottle, 38oz premium glass moonshine bottle, or 12.9 oz economical plastic squeeze bottle
    • Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, and Paleo Friendly
    • Contains no artificial sugar or preservatives
    • Made using raw honey from Midwestern Honey Bees
    • Handmade in Kansas

    Best Pairings for Elderberry Honey

    There’s something about the smell of Honey that just makes your mouth water. Firebee’s Elderberry Honey is my go to for Tea and Breakfast. Its great on Toast, in Oatmeal or Tea. It’s also a great substitute for maple syrup as well.

    Firebee Elderberry Honey adds a subtle sweetness being too overpowering. Making it perfect to blend into a bunch of different breakfast items or drinks. Consider trying Me & the Bees Lemonade or Green Bee Honey Soda for a tasty beverage options with Honey as well.

    Interested in some Recipes? Firebee has some great ones.

    New Additions From Firebee

    They have a famous Kansas style BBQ Sauce in a nice Whiskey Flask Bottle, Beef Jerky, Spices, Cutting Boards, Apparel and Bar Soap.

    Elderberry Honey with Tea

    Where To Buy

    You can purchase Firebee Elderberry Honey from Firebee directly. Free shipping is included for domestic orders over $100. They also have products available on Amazon and through Steelmade and ProudPyro.

    Firebee Elderberry Honey Review

    The Honey Review

    Honey
    Color
    Aroma
    Flavor
    Texture

    Review Summary

    I ordered a box of 3 Firebee Honey 12.9oz squeeze bottles from Firebee. The ship time was super fast, and the packing was very secure and safe. Out of the 3 I received, I tried and reviewed the Spicy Honey first.


    I’ve had quite some time to try the Elderberry Honey. I’ve used it lots of different ways with drinks and food recipes. I like the Elderberry Honey on Pancakes, Oatmeal or more recently in my Teas. Elderberry Honey is on the sweeter side with a beautiful dark almost purple body. You could mix it with maple syrup if you wanted, but I think it stands as a great replacement as its thicker in texture and has a bold finish and tartness to it.

    Which is particularly why I prefer the Elderberry Honey in my Teas. I’ve tried all the Honey Firebee sent for review, Spicy, Cinnamon and Elderberry. They are all great for Teas and Beverages because of the handcrafted flavors they utilize. My favorite out of them is the Elderberry, it just has this nice berry flavor with a little acidity.

    If you haven’t tried flavor infused Honey like the Cinnamon or Elderberry on Pancakes, Waffles or Biscuits you’ve got to try it. I’ll always love maple and have it ready, but try it for yourself or even combine both like Tree Hive did.

    The only complaint I have is their squeeze bottles. They tend to leak at the top and over time depending on temperature they aren’t as easy to squeeze.

    3.6