Cooking time: 5 min
Easy - for beginners
Learn how to make a simple and cost-effective homemade hummingbird nectar with this easy recipe. Using just two ingredients – water and granulated white sugar – one batch is perfect for filling an 8-ounce feeder, with extra to top up others. This guide ensures the ideal 4:1 water to sugar ratio for hummingbird health and attraction, making your garden a favorite spot for these tiny birds. Avoid honey for their safety!
–Boil water in a teakettle or saucepan
–Pour 1/2 cup of granulated white sugar into a 3 cup , heatproof glass measuring cup.
–Pour 2 cups of boiling water into the cup.. Stir until sugar totally dissolves.
–Cool, and fill feeder.
I have not used this recipe yet, but plan to this spring. Let me know how it works if you try it. Thanks!
The recipe results in a 4:1 ratio of water to sugar, the recommended concentration for hummingbird attraction and good health. If you’re mixing a larger batch, just multiply the measurements accordingly: 1 cup sugar for 4 cups of water, 1 1/2 cups sugar for 6 cups of water, etc. DO NOT USE HONEY.
For an extra sweet “treat” during the colder months, or if you’re just establishing a hummingbird feeding area, for a few days you can use a 3 or 3 1/2 to 1 ratio.
“Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds to Your Backyard” by Sally Roth, pp. 45