Bee Sweet, Stay Tart: Why Honey and Cherries Belong Together

Honey Cherries

In 2025, cherries have emerged as a prominent flavor trend in the food and beverage industry, captivating consumers with their vibrant taste and versatility. According to industry experts, tart cherry flavors, along with other nostalgic fruit varieties like black raspberry and Concord grape, are gaining traction due to their bold profiles and ability to evoke emotional connections. Product developers are exploring innovative combinations to enhance cherry-based offerings, and honey stands out as a natural partner that elevates both flavor and functionality.


A Newstalgic Cherry Resurgence

Pinterest named “Cherry Coded” as one of its top trends for 2025, with the fruit particularly appealing to Gen Z and millennials. Cherry’s rich color and distinct flavor profile appeal to consumers seeking both taste and visual appeal in their food and beverages. Additionally, the demand for natural colorants in food products is on the rise, and cherries provide an attractive red hue without the need for artificial dyes.


Honey is the Cherry on Top

Honey's diverse flavor profiles, ranging from light and floral to deep and robust, can complement and balance the tartness of cherries, creating endless opportunities for premium, indulgent products with a better-for-you twist, thanks to honey’s all-natural composition. Combining honey and cherries can lead to innovative products like these:

Bitter Orange Cherry Mixer, Mixly

Incorporating honey into cherry-based drinks not only enhances sweetness but also adds depth to the flavor profile. Honey’s ability to round out tart flavors makes it a perfect addition to this bottle that captures the essence of a classic Italian spritz, harmonizing the vibrant flavors of bitter orange and cherry. Crafted from all-natural ingredients like fresh citrus, bold fruit juices and a touch of honey.

Photo Credit: Mixly
Photo Credit: Honey Mama's

Cherry Hazelnut Cocoa Truffle Bar, Honey Mama’s

The moisture-retaining properties of honey are advantageous in cherry-infused bars, keeping them moist and extending shelf life. This fan favorite is made with honey, bing cherries, vanilla, cocoa powder, hazelnuts, coconut oil, and delicate flake hand-harvested salt, which is sprinkled by hand on each bar.

Black Cherry Greek Yogurt, Ellenos

Fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt formats are experiencing a newstalgic revival, making cherry-honey pairings a timely innovation. Consumers will enjoy the bold and decadently rich taste of Ellenos Black Cherry yogurt, made with a dark cherry purée blended with diced red tart cherries and honey.

Photo Credit: Ellenos
Photo Credit: Jamie's Farm

Vanilla Bean Granola with Sour Cherries, Jamie’s Farm

Honey is a natural binder that helps hold granola clusters together while keeping them chewy and satisfying. It also enhances the tart-sweet flavor of cherries with its subtle floral notes, creating a balanced and delicious taste experience. A 2024 sofi Gold award winner in the cereals and granola category, this best seller from Jamie’s Farm is baked with real ground vanilla beans and grass-fed ghee, mixed with honey, pumpkin seeds, gluten-free oats, and sea salt.

As the demand for bold, nostalgic and naturally derived flavors continues to grow, the mix of honey and cherries offers a winning formula for innovation in 2025 and beyond. Is a honey-cherry combination in your 2025 product portfolio plans? Contact us at [email protected] so we can share the sweet news!