Discover the Best Hot Honey: Elijah's Xtreme Hot Honey vs. Mike's Hot Honey

Sweet. Spicy. Sticky. Yeah, we said it. Elijah's hot honey is all these and more!

If you’re here, you already know what’s up. Hot honey is the main condiment. It’s the drizzle that levels up your pizza and the flavor kick your biscuits have been missing.

We’re bringing the heat and the honey, with this guide to the best hot honey out there, and it starts with our very own Elijah’s Xtreme Hot Honey.

Let’s explore. But warning: things are about to get spicy.

What Is Hot Honey? (And Why You Need It on Everything)

Hot honey is exactly what it's called: honey infused with chili peppers. It delivers a sweet and spicy flavor that makes your taste buds do a happy dance. You’ll get that syrupy sweetness first, followed by a slow-building kick that hits just right. Not too hot. Not too sweet. Just pure, flavorful goodness. It’s the perfect balance for any spice lover.

People love to get wild with hot honey. They don't use it as a pizza drizzle alone. They use hot honey for fried chicken, waffles, charcuterie boards, roasted veggies, and even cocktails. No jokes, the moment you try it, there’s no going back. These sweet heat combinations are addictive!

Our Favorite Hot Honey Picks

Elijah's Xtreme Hot Honey

We were just a father and son with an insane passion for peppers before we were a hot honey company. We played around in the kitchen for years to achieve a truly flavorful and fiery sauce. We never wanted to settle for sauces that were just hot or tasty. We wanted both. We pour that same uncompromising philosophy into every single bottle of our hot honey sauce.

We took the world's hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper, and dared to tame it, blending its intense, fruity fire with 100% pure, natural honey. This handcrafted sweet heat delivers an extreme flavor journey and a beautiful, balanced burn for those who know the difference.

Why It’s One of the Best Hot Honeys

• We made it with three ingredients: 100% pure honey, Carolina Reaper peppers, and a touch of vinegar. This simple recipe gives our sauce a pure, delicious taste.
• It has the perfect balance of sweet and heat – not overpowering, not bland.
• It has a slow, building heat with a fruity pepper undertone.
• It's versatile! You can drizzle hot honey on pizza and fried chicken, pour it over pancakes, or add it to your cocktails and cheese boards.
• We don't use weird additives or fillers. Just clean, simple, spicy honey perfection. It's the best-tasting hot honey!

Get your Elijah's Xtreme Hot Honey now!

Great Hot Honey Brands

The market for honey infused with chili peppers is growing, giving foodies a wide array of options.

Mike's Hot Honey vs. Elijah's: Is the Carolina Reaper a Game Changer?

This is the classic match-up, the "original" versus the "extreme." The difference lies in the choice of pepper and the heat level.

When comparing these two, you’re choosing between an intense, fruity burn and a classic, decent heat. The question is, how much fire are you ready for?

What Customers are Saying: Community & Reviews

When searching for the best brand, don't take our word for it. Listen to the spicy community! Genuine customer reviews are invaluable to understand a product's true flavor and heat.

Here's what people had to say about the best hot honey brands across forums and retailer sites like PepperScale:

• On Elijah’s Xtreme: Customer reviews praise the unexpected fruity notes and "slow, building heat" in Elijah’s hot honey. They mentioned that even with a potent Carolina Reaper infusion, the flavor remains perfectly balanced.
• On Mike's Hot Honey: According to reviewers, Mike's hot honey has a gentle heat level, which makes it gentle for beginners.
• On Heat Tolerance: When you're choosing, keep your spice tolerance in mind! Carolina Reaper brands are perfect for those who love intense heat, while milder store brands appeal to those just starting out with the sweet-heat trend.

Unexpected Ways to Use Hot Honey

You already know that hot honey goes well with pizza. However, hot honey is way more versatile than people give it credit for. Let’s get creative with it.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Yeah, we said it. A drizzle of Elijah’s Xtreme over cold, creamy vanilla is the sweet-heat dessert you didn’t know you needed.
• Peanut Butter and Hot Honey Sandwiches: Trade the jelly for a spicy kick and prepare to be blown away.
• Popcorn: Hot honey popcorn is a must-have for movie night. Sweet, spicy, salty? Yes please.
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes: A drizzle of heat over caramelized veggies brings out the natural sugars like whoa.
• Eggs and Breakfast Sandwiches: That egg and cheese sammy just got yummy.
• Cocktails: Use it in place of simple syrup for spicy margaritas or hot toddies.
• Hot Honey Butter: Mix it with softened butter and lather it on cornbread or biscuits.

Hot Honey Gift Ideas

Hot honey is perfect for:

• Holiday Gifts: Add a bottle to gourmet food baskets or include it as a stocking stuffer.
• Charcuterie Boards: Add to cheeses, nuts, and meats for a spicy-sweet balance.
• BBQ Kits: Make your own! Bundle with spice rubs (a mixture of ground spices and herbs), sauces, and grilling tools.
• Brunch Boxes: Include hot honey, pancake mix, jam, and coffee for a cozy morning vibe. 

Here at Elijah’s Xtreme, we even have hot sauce gift sets that are perfect for creating a spicy present pack.

Chili Pepper Breakdown: Know Your Heat

Not all peppers bring the same vibe. Here’s a quick guide to some common peppers used in hot honey and what they add to the flavor party:

At Elijah Xtreme, we use the Carolina Reaper, one of the world’s hottest peppers. We add the right amount to give you a bold, fruity heat without blowing out your taste buds. Expect some delightful floral notes from the pure honey as well.

Looking for other hot sauces made from your fave peppers? Check out our hottest hot sauces.

How to Choose the Best Hot Honey

1. Consider Your Palette

Everyone's heat tolerance is different. Some people want a subtle sizzle, others want to feel the fire in their tongue.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I want a mild warmth with a gentle lingering burn?
• Am I going for the kind of heat that builds, burns, and makes you say, “whew”?
• Do I want a sweet taste with a little spice, or a bold kick with a subtle sweetness?

2. Check the Ingredients

This one’s major. Not all hot honeys are created equal.

Look for:

• 100% Pure Honey: Many craft brands use wildflower honey. Please skip the corn syrup-laced fakes because they compromise on quality, flavor, and authenticity.
• Natural peppers: Choose products that contain natural peppers, such as Carolina Reaper, habanero, jalapeño, or ghost pepper, to gain authentic flavor complexity and precise control over the heat intensity.
• Minimal ingredients: The fewer, the better. Avoid hot honeys with preservatives or artificial junk. It’s okay if you find a bit of lime juice or apple cider vinegar in the hot honey, as it was likely added to balance the sweetness. Here at Elijah’s Xtreme, for example, we make our sauce from honey, peppers, and vinegar.

3. Think About the Use

How do you intend to use your hot honey?

• Drizzling: Want that perfect pizza finish? A thinner, pourable consistency is better. You’ll want something smooth that spreads evenly and easily.
• Cooking: Do you want to use it for marinades or glazes? Look for a thicker hot honey that sticks to proteins and veggies when roasted or grilled.
• Breakfast-ready: Thicker honeys are also perfect for topping waffles, biscuits, and pancakes.
• Cheese boards & charcuterie: Go for a complex flavor with heat and depth. You want something that can pair well with sharp cheeses, cured meats, and fruits.
• Cocktail mixing: Yep, it’s a thing. Choose a hot honey that’s smooth, liquid, and not too pepper-heavy.
• Dipping: If you plan to use it as a side for fried chicken, wings, or fries, look for a balanced flavor that complements savory foods. See the full dipping sauce collection for more inspiration.

Your kitchen, your rules, but knowing your goals helps you pick the best bottle.

4. Packaging and Convenience

Yes, the packaging matters. No one wants to fight with a glass jar when you’re mid-drizzle.

Look For:

• Squeeze Bottles: The perfect packaging for hot honey.
• Leak-Proof Caps: No sticky messes, please.
• Portable options: Mini sizes for travel or gifting.

Elijah’s Xtreme comes in a user-friendly squeeze bottle that makes it easy to drizzle on command. And we’re not even gonna lie, the label’s cool too. (We are a little biased.)

5. Where to Buy

Hot honey isn’t just a farmer’s market hidden gem anymore. You’ve got options:

• Online: Elijah’s Xtreme is available directly from our website (the best place, duh), and also on major sites like Amazon.
• Specialty stores: Gourmet food shops and some supermarkets are beginning to sell hot honey. Look near the sauces or artisanal section.
• Gift boxes: Hot honey makes a bomb gift, and brands like Elijah’s offer gift packs or bundles. Always check the freshness and expiration dates, especially if you’re buying from third-party sellers.

6. Storage and Shelf Life

Honey lasts nearly forever, but add peppers and vinegar to the mix, and the rules change slightly.

How to Keep it Fresh:

• Store your hot honey in a cool or dry place (like a pantry)
• Keep the lid tightly closed
• Don’t store it in direct sunlight

FAQs About Hot Honey

What is so Good About Hot Honey?

Where do we even start? Hot honey is the perfect combo of sweet and spicy, which means it can:

Give your savory dishes, like pizza and fried chicken, extra oomph.

Improve boring breakfasts (lookin’ at you, oatmeal and waffles).

Goes perfectly with cheese boards.

Shake up cocktail hour (spicy margarita, anyone?)

It’s basically flavor in a bottle. Once you try it, you’ll want to put it on everything.

What Does Hot Honey Do to Your Body?

Besides making your mouth water? Here’s the scoop:

• Honey provides antioxidants and possesses natural antibacterial properties.
• Chili peppers increase metabolism and release endorphins (hello, feel-good vibes).

Hot honey won’t cure you, but it adds a lil’ health kick to your food and makes your meals way more fun.

Can Honey Expire or go Bad?

Regular honey? Nope, it can last indefinitely if you store it properly. Hot honey? It has a shelf life. It depends on the ingredients and the method of preparation. It typically lasts 1–2 years. Always check the label for specifics. If it smells funky or starts to separate strangely, it’s time to discard it.

Do You Have to Refrigerate Hot Honey After Opening?

Nah, you’re good. The room temperature is best. Just make sure you tighten the cap and store it in a dry place. Refrigerating the honey changes the consistency, which will make pouring difficult for you.

Final Thoughts on the Best Hot Honey Out There

Alright, heat-seekers, you made it to the end.

Now you’re officially a hot honey expert (and probably already daydreaming about what you’re gonna drizzle it on next). If you’re looking to bring the heat to your weekend brunch or gift someone a little sweet fire, hot honey’s got your back. And if you’re still wondering where to start, we’ve got one word for you: Elijah’s Hot Honey!

Bold flavor? Check. Real ingredients? Check. Family-made with love (and fire)? Always. So go ahead, buy yourself a bottle, pop the cap, and start pouring that perfectly balanced sweet heat like the flavor legend you are.