Gather ingredients:
1 cup honey
1–2 tablespoons hot sauce (or 1–2 tablespoons cayenne pepper + a few drops water)
1–2 teaspoons chili flakes (optional)
Pinch of salt (optional)
1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
Combine in a small saucepan:
Honey + hot sauce
Chili flakes (optional)
Pinch of salt (optional)
Vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
Warm over low heat:
Stir until fully combined
Simmer gently 3–5 minutes
Taste and adjust:
Add more hot sauce/chili flakes for more heat
Add a little honey for less heat
Cool:
Remove from heat
Let cool to room temperature
Strain (optional):
Strain through a fine mesh sieve if you used chili flakes
Store:
Pour into a clean jar
Refrigerate up to 2–3 weeks or store at room temperature if kept cool and clean