What to do in Austin Today: Bees and Homemade Pizza
Immerse yourself in the world of bees with a delightful visit to a charming apiary—an ideal destination for bee enthusiasts, honey aficionados, and beekeepers alike. During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to savor an array of honey varieties and explore one-of-a-kind boutique dedicated to all things 'honey, bees, and beekeeping.'
But that's not all! Following your apiary adventure, indulge in a delectable homemade meal crafted with the very same fresh honey you'll take home with you. It's a truly sweet experience that will leave you buzzing with delight.
Two Hives Honey Tour
Located just East of Austin in the up-and-coming area of Manor, is an adorable honey ranch called Two Hives Honey that offers intimate tours of their beehives!
You’ll get the opportunity to wear protective gear and get up close and personal with the bees. Here’s what to expect with the tour:
Your tour, led by a professional beekeeper, will include suiting up in protective gear, lighting a bee smoker, and getting up close with more than 100,000 bees.
Each tour is capped at 12 people, providing you an intimate experience of this fascinating species.
Guided tours include protective gear and select beverages.
What's included
Protective gear
Select beverage
Things to know:
Ensure you arrive a few minutes before your start time to sign waivers and get signed in. Particularly for evening tours, it is important that we start promptly on time so that we finish the tour before sunset.
Tours are weather dependent, so if the forecast calls for rain or temperatures below 65 degrees, please watch your email 24-48 hours before in case we need to cancel/reschedule.
What to bring:
They will have an assortment of protective gear for all of you. You will see that the bees are incredibly gentle and docile, but better for everyone to enjoy their time and not feel worried about getting stung! Additionally, please adhere to the the below guidelines:
Closed-toe shoes are REQUIRED. We also strongly recommend shoes that cover the ankle, if you have them, or socks that cover the ankle if you don't.
Wear long pants. Khakis, cargos, or blue jeans are fine.
Avoid black clothing! Light-colored clothing is best.
Choose clothing that is loose fitting -- nothing especially tight! Avoid yoga pants and leggings.
While long-sleeved tops are not required, you may want to bring a button down or other long-sleeved shirt for sun protection. Try to stick to lighter colors on top - button downs work great!
Refrain from materials that are 'fuzzy' or made from sweater-type materials.
Please refrain from any perfumes or heavily scented lotions -- the bees are not fans
Make sure to grab a fresh jar of honey from Two Hives! You’re going to use the honey to make some homemade cocktails and pizza.
Make a Sweet and Spicy Cocktail
*from The Whole Smith’s Recipe Blog
Ingredients
For Honey + Cayenne Simple Syrup:
1/2 C. honey
1/2 C. water
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper depending on your taste
To make drink:
3 shots of fresh grapefruit juice
1 shot of tequila
1 shot of honey + cayenne simple syrup
1 shot of Cointreau
2 small slices of jalepeño optional
*Optional - Margarita salt mixed with a tad of cayenne to salt rim
Instructions
Combine honey, water and cayenne pepper in a saucepan and bring to simmer. Cool in fridge.
In a shaker add grapefruit juice, honey, cayenne syrup, Cointreau, jalepñeo slices & ice.
Shake away!
Strain over ice and garnish with a lime or jalepeño slice.
Make your Burrata and Prosciutto Pizza
Ingredients:
1 pound pizza dough (homemade or store bought; at room temperature)
½ cup pizza sauce
1 pound burrata
1 3-ounce package prosciutto
¼ cup slivered fresh basil leaves (or 1 cup baby arugula, or roughly chopped mature arugula)
1 tablespoon hot honey (or 1 tablespoon regular honey plus ¼ teaspoon and hot pepper flakes to finish)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 475 F.
Roll or press out the dough onto a baking sheet, allowing it to rest midway so that it can relax until it is a large rectangle of even thickness, about ½-inch thick. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border unsauced. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the pizza is almost cooked and golden around the edges.
Remove the pizza from the oven and use your hands to shred apart the burrata and place small pieces over the sauced area of the pizza (see Note). Bake for another 2 to 3 minutes or so until the burrata just starts to get slightly melty.
Remove the pizza from the oven, and then distribute the basil or arugula over the top. Drape the prosciutto over the pizza, tearing it into pieces. Drizzle over the hot honey or the regular honey, and sprinkle over the red pepper flakes.
Cut into pieces and serve immediately
And there you have it! Have a BEEutiful day!