Bee's Knees co*cktail Recipe (2024)

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The Bee’s Knees co*cktail is a Prohibition-Era drink made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup (honey and water). It’s a simple classic co*cktail, sweetened with real honey and balanced with citrus. It’s refreshing and perfect for gin lovers!

Other than being a Prohibition-Era co*cktail, the drink is known for its catchy name—a nod to the time in history it originated. Bee’s knees is a 1900’s slang term for ‘the best’ or ‘awesome’ and of course inspired by the co*cktail’s use of honey. And hey, you might even get a nice buzz as you’re sipping.

Looking for more delicious gin co*cktails? Also, try the French 75 co*cktail and the Corpse Reviver 2. If you’re looking for something a little more floral and complex, try the Last Word and the Aviation co*cktail!

Why This Recipe Works

• The Bee’s Knees is the perfect balance of botanicals, citrus, and sweetness. It’s refreshing and crowd-pleasing whether you’re a gin lover or not.
• The citrus and honey make this a comforting co*cktail that can be enjoyed year-round.

Ingredients

• Gin: the Bee’s Knees relies on the botanical brilliance of gin as its base spirit. The juniper-forward nature of gin adds depth and complexity.
• Lemon Juice: freshly squeezed lemon juice cuts through the sweetness of the honey, creating a well-rounded flavor profile that is both refreshing and invigorating.
• Honey syrup: honey lends a silky sweetness to the co*cktail. It provides a natural alternative to simple syrup and adds a distinct richness. Save the extra honey syrup for a Brown Derby co*cktail!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.

How to Make a Bee’s Knees

Step 3.

Shake vigorously for 20 seconds and double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Gin Recommendations

The Bee’s Knees is not necessarily a gin-forward co*cktail. The honey and lemon are very complimentary and will balance the drink. London dry gins such as Beefeater or Bombay Sapphire are both more classic juniper-forward options.

There are numerous modern-day gins on the market with a variety of flavors and infusions. Hendrick’s is very smooth and offers more citrus-forward notes. I like Bar Hill Gin (made with juniper and raw honey), Plymouth Gin, and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. All are great options with well-balanced botanicals and flavors.

Honey Simple Syrup

Honey simple syrup is made with equal parts honey and water. Honey syrup can be used in co*cktails similarly to classicsimple syrup (sugar and water), adding unique character and sweetness. It’s easier to make than simple syrup as the honey will easily dissolve in hot or warm water, unlike sugar.

To make honey syrup, heat 1/4 cup of water in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until very warm. Stir in 1/4 cup of honey until fully dissolved. The proper consistency is a little thicker than water when at room temp.

You can make extra syrup and store it in the fridge for about a month. The honey syrup recipe above is good for about 1/2 a cup or 4 co*cktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

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