Honey Stinger - Energy Gel

Honey Stinger Energy Gels: Honey-Powered Fuel for Every Effort

Honey Stinger Energy Gels are a streamlined, honey-based athletic fuel delivering 90–100 calories and 23–24g of fast-acting carbohydrates per packet — with zero fiber, zero fat, and zero protein — engineered specifically for rapid glycogen replenishment before and during athletic activity. Built on a base of organic honey and organic tapioca syrup, they provide immediate fuel without synthetic compounds, artificial flavors, or artificial colors found in most conventional gels.

Available in both regular (non-caffeinated) and caffeinated formats, Honey Stinger Energy Gels are gluten-free, non-GMO, and trusted by over 2,000 professional and collegiate sports programs nationwide. The lineup currently features five flavor options — Gold, Fruit Smoothie, Mango, Strawberry Kiwi (caffeinated), and Salted Caramel Latte (caffeinated) — each with distinct ingredient profiles suited to different taste preferences and performance needs.

At a Glance

• Serving size: 1 packet (31g)
• Calories: 90–100 per packet
• Carbohydrates: 23–24g per packet
• Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Protein: 0g
• Electrolytes: Potassium + Sodium in every flavor
• Certifications: Gluten-Free, Non-GMO; select flavors USDA Organic
• Caffeine: ~32mg per packet in caffeinated flavors (from Green Tea Concentrate)
• Available flavors: Gold, Fruit Smoothie, Mango, Strawberry Kiwi (caffeinated), Salted Caramel Latte (caffeinated)

How Energy Gels Fuel Performance

During sustained aerobic exercise, the body burns muscle glycogen — the stored form of carbohydrate — as its primary fuel. Once glycogen is depleted, performance drops sharply. Energy gels are designed to resupply glucose to the bloodstream rapidly, delaying glucose depletion and allowing athletes to maintain intensity for longer.

Why Honey Is an Elite Fuel Source

Honey is composed of approximately equal parts glucose and fructose — two simple sugars absorbed via separate intestinal transport pathways. Because they use different transporters (SGLT1 for glucose, GLUT5 for fructose), the body can absorb and oxidize more total carbohydrate per hour from a mixed glucose-fructose source like honey than from single-sugar sources alone. This is the same principle behind the "multiple transportable carbohydrate" approach used in high-end sports nutrition, delivered here in a natural, organic form.

Zero Fiber, Zero Fat — By Design

Both fiber and fat slow gastric emptying, which is exactly what you do NOT want when fueling during exercise. Honey Stinger Energy Gels contain zero fiber and zero fat — meaning the carbohydrate payload exits the stomach and reaches the bloodstream as fast as physiologically possible, minimizing GI stress and maximizing fuel delivery speed during activity.

The Role of Electrolytes

Every Honey Stinger Energy Gel contains potassium (from potassium citrate) and Sodium (from salt) — the two primary electrolytes lost through sweat. Including electrolytes in the gel helps maintain intracellular and extracellular fluid balance during activity, supporting muscle contraction efficiency and reducing the risk of cramping during long efforts.

Nutrition Facts

Complete Flavor Lineup

Every Honey Stinger Energy Gel is built on a honey and organic tapioca syrup base with added electrolytes. Ingredients and caffeine content vary by flavor.

Gold — Classic | Non-Caffeinated | ~90 cal

The purest expression of the Honey Stinger gel concept — pure honey with added electrolytes and a full B-vitamin complex. No organic tapioca syrup, no citric acid, no natural flavors — just raw honey and the micronutrients to support energy metabolism at the cellular level. The only gel in the lineup that is not gluten-free certified, as it is honey-only with no additional organic certifications on the label. Best for athletes who want the cleanest, most minimalist ingredient profile available.

Ingredients: Honey, Water, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Niacinamide (Vit B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vit B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit B6), Riboflavin (Vit B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vit B1), Cyanocobalamin (Vit B12).

Fruit Smoothie — Classic | Non-Caffeinated | Gluten-Free | ~100 cal

Organic tapioca syrup and honey base with rich fruit notes of strawberry, orange, and cherry. The most popular non-caffeinated gel in the lineup — consistently rated by endurance athletes as the best-tasting flavor with zero GI distress at race pace. Smooth texture, genuinely fruit-forward, and easy to take without water.

Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Honey, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Organic Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Water.

Mango — Classic | Non-Caffeinated | Gluten-Free | ~100 cal

A tropical mango flavor profile built on the same organic tapioca syrup and honey base as Fruit Smoothie — delivering the same rapid-digesting carbohydrate payload with a bright, refreshing mango taste. Caffeine-free, making it ideal for late-race or late-workout fueling when stimulant avoidance matters.

Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Honey, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Organic Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Water.

Strawberry Kiwi — Caffeinated | Gluten-Free | ~100 cal | ~32mg Caffeine

The fan-favorite caffeinated gel — organic tapioca syrup and honey base with a refreshing strawberry-kiwi flavor and ~32mg of caffeine from green tea concentrate. Caffeine from green tea provides a smoother, more sustained stimulant effect compared to synthetic caffeine anhydrous — supporting alertness and focus during long efforts without the sharp spike-and-crash associated with high-dose synthetic caffeine.

Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Honey, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Citric Acid, Water, Organic Natural Flavor, Green Tea Concentrate.

Salted Caramel Latte — Caffeinated | Gluten-Free | ~100 cal | ~32mg Caffeine

The newest addition to the caffeinated lineup — a smooth, creamy salted caramel and coffee flavor profile that has quickly earned fan-favorite status. Same organic honey and tapioca syrup base with green tea caffeine. The go-to option for athletes who prefer a dessert-style flavor during long endurance efforts rather than traditional fruit profiles.

Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Honey, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Citric Acid, Water, Organic Natural Flavor, Green Tea Concentrate.

Regular vs. Caffeinated: When to Use Each

Gels vs. Waffles: Choosing the Right Honey Stinger Format

Recommended Use

Fueling Protocol

• Before activity: Take 1 packet 15–30 minutes before the start for a pre-activity carbohydrate top-up.
• During activity: Take 1 packet every 45–60 minutes of sustained effort, consumed with water for optimal absorption and GI comfort.
• High-intensity moments: Use a caffeinated gel (Strawberry Kiwi or Salted Caramel Latte) at key push points — the final climb, the race finish, the mid-session intensity block — for the combined carbohydrate + caffeine performance effect.

Versatile Consumption Options

Honey Stinger Energy Gels are not limited to straight-from-the-packet use. They can be spread on toast, stirred into tea, or mixed with water to create a natural liquid energy drink — making them one of the most versatile real-food energy products available for athletes who want flexibility in how they fuel.

Sport-Specific Notes

• Running & trail: The compact packet fits in running shorts, vest pockets, or a race belt — and is easily consumed at a jog with one hand.
• Cycling: Store multiple packets in a jersey pocket; easy to open and consume while riding, especially on flat or descending sections.
• Triathlon: The zero-fiber, zero-fat profile makes this one of the safest gel formats for swim-to-bike-to-run transitions where GI sensitivity is highest.
• Weightlifting & gym: Not the traditional use case, but a valid pre-set or between-set carbohydrate hit for high-volume training sessions where glycogen replenishment matters.

Who Honey Stinger Gels Are For

• Endurance athletes (running, cycling, triathlon, hiking): The core use case — fast, clean carbohydrate fuel optimized for the GI demands of sustained aerobic activity.
• Athletes who want caffeinated options: Two caffeinated varieties with natural green tea caffeine for a cleaner stimulant experience than synthetic caffeine gels.
• Gluten-sensitive athletes: All flavors except Gold are certified gluten-free — one of the cleanest gel choices for athletes managing gluten intolerance.
• Clean-label consumers: Short ingredient lists with organic honey, organic tapioca syrup, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives across the entire lineup.
• Team sport athletes: Trusted by 2,000+ professional and collegiate sports programs for sideline and in-game fueling.

About Honey Stinger

Honey Stinger is a Colorado-based organic sports nutrition brand built on honey as nature's most effective athletic fuel. From their flagship energy waffles to gels, chews, and protein bars, every product in the lineup is centered on clean ingredients, organic sourcing where applicable, and real-food palatability that athletes actually look forward to consuming — even at mile 20.

Explore the full Honey Stinger lineup on our Food & Snacks collection page.

Complete Your Fuel Strategy

• Honey Stinger Energy Waffles – Pre-activity and early-effort organic carbohydrate fuel.
• Food & Snacks Collection – All real-food and performance snack options.
• Intra-Workout Collection – Supplement-based mid-session fueling to complement real-food energy sources.
• Protein Supplements – Post-activity recovery to pair with your carbohydrate fuel strategy.