Southern Food Gifts: Honey, BBQ Sauce, and Hot Sauce

This guide collects Southern food gifts from four makers whose locations we can confirm: Weeks Honey Farm in Omega, Georgia; Foxhound Bee Company in Birmingham, Alabama; Savannah Sauce Company in Savannah, Georgia; and Elijah's Xtreme in Charlotte, North Carolina. Every item below is produced by one of those four and is in stock at Madeline's right now. It leans on the flavors the region is known for, including raw honey, barbecue and table sauces, and pepper-forward hot sauces. Each pick links straight to its product page.

We limited the list to makers whose Southern base is verifiable, so the regional claim holds up.

The picks

Gallberry Honey from Weeks Honey Farm (Omega, Georgia)

A raw gallberry honey from a family farm in south Georgia, with the mild, slow-to-crystallize character gallberry is known for. A regional honey for tea and biscuits.

Weeks Hawt Honey from Weeks Honey Farm (Omega, Georgia)

A chile-infused hot honey from the same Georgia farm. Drizzle it on fried chicken, biscuits, or pizza for a sweet-and-spicy finish.

Raw Buckwheat Honey from Weeks Honey Farm (Omega, Georgia)

A dark, robust buckwheat honey with a molasses-like depth. Stronger than wildflower honey, it suits coffee, BBQ sauce, and bold baking.

Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey from Foxhound Bee Company (Birmingham, Alabama)

A raw honey aged in bourbon barrels by an Alabama beekeeping company, picking up warm oak and bourbon notes. A standout gift honey for cheese boards and cocktails.

Raw Honey from Tuscaloosa, Alabama from Foxhound Bee Company (Birmingham, Alabama)

A single-source raw honey labeled by the Alabama area its bees forage. A way to taste the flavor of one specific place in the South.

Carolina BBQ Sauce from Savannah Sauce Company (Savannah, Georgia)

A mustard-forward Carolina-style barbecue sauce from a veteran-owned Savannah maker. Tangy and sweet, it suits pulled pork and grilled chicken.

Jalapeno Bacon Jam from Savannah Sauce Company (Savannah, Georgia)

A savory bacon jam with a jalapeno kick. Spoon it onto a burger, a cheese board, or a biscuit for a sweet, smoky, and spicy bite.

C.F. Roberson's Honey Mustard from Savannah Sauce Company (Savannah, Georgia)

A sweet and tangy honey mustard from the same Savannah maker. A dip for tenders and pretzels and a glaze for ham and chicken.

Ranchers Revenge (Ghost Pepper) from Elijah's Xtreme (Charlotte, North Carolina)

A ghost pepper hot sauce from a father-and-son maker in Charlotte. Built for heat seekers, with real pepper flavor behind the burn.

Sins of the Father (Garlic Habanero) from Elijah's Xtreme (Charlotte, North Carolina)

A garlic habanero sauce that balances heat with garlic and lime. A flexible everyday sauce for eggs, tacos, and grilled meats.

Enemies by Morning (Roasted Jalapeno) from Elijah's Xtreme (Charlotte, North Carolina)

A milder roasted jalapeno sauce with smoky depth. The most approachable of the three Elijah's sauces here, good for daily use.

How to choose

For a Southern gift basket, pair one or two honeys with a sauce and a hot sauce: the bourbon barrel aged honey is the showpiece, while the Carolina BBQ sauce and a jar of jalapeno bacon jam round it out. For a heat lover, the three Elijah's sauces run from the milder roasted jalapeno up to the ghost pepper. For an everyday gift, the gallberry honey and honey mustard are the most universally liked.

Frequently asked questions

What makes these "Southern" food gifts?

Each maker is based in the American South: Weeks Honey Farm and Savannah Sauce Company in Georgia, Foxhound Bee Company in Alabama, and Elijah's Xtreme in North Carolina. We confirmed each location before including it.

Where is each maker located?

Weeks Honey Farm is in Omega, Georgia. Foxhound Bee Company is in Birmingham, Alabama. Savannah Sauce Company is in Savannah, Georgia. Elijah's Xtreme is in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Which honey should I pick?

For an all-purpose honey, the mild gallberry is a safe choice. For something bolder, the dark buckwheat honey suits coffee and BBQ. The bourbon barrel aged honey is the most gift-worthy, and the Hawt Honey adds chile heat for drizzling.

Are these good for a gift basket?

Yes. The honeys, sauces, jam, and mustard are all shelf-stable and pack well together. A honey, a BBQ sauce, and a hot sauce make a tidy Southern-themed basket.

How hot are the Elijah's Xtreme sauces?

They range in heat. Enemies by Morning, a roasted jalapeno sauce, is the mildest of the three; Sins of the Father is a medium garlic habanero; and Ranchers Revenge, a ghost pepper sauce, is the hottest. The maker focuses on real pepper flavor rather than extract heat.

Keep browsing

For more, see our Honey, BBQ Sauce & Marinades, and Hot Sauce collections. You may also like our guides on where to buy raw honey online and the best spicy food gifts for the heat-seeker.