It’s “awesome,” it’s “lit,” it’s “the Bee’s Knees”! I’m sure even your grandpa wouldn’t be able to tell you what the knee of a bee has to do with something being great. Do bees even have knees? 🤔 Anyway, I still find myself using the expression every now and then, albeit satirically but still.
The Bee’s Knees is a prohibition-era cocktail that smells lovely and tastes sweet. You’ll need your shaker, a jigger, a Hawthorne strainer, and a fine mesh strainer for this one so bust out the ole’ cocktail kit. The Bee’s Knees isn’t just a drink – it’s a glass that proves our grandparents really knew how to party.
The Bee’s Knees Cocktail
The Bee’s Knees is a classic Prohibition-era cocktail that combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup to create a perfectly balanced drink that’s simultaneously sweet, tart, and refreshing with subtle floral notes.
1
servings175
kcal2
minutesIngredients
2 Ounces Gin
.75 Ounces Fresh Lemon Juice
.75 Ounces Honey Syrup
Lemon Twist (For Garnish)
1 Egg white (optional)
Directions
- Add honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and gin to a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or fresh thyme sprig.
Equipment
A Bar Above Antique Boston Shaker (Gold)Buy this shaker
A Bar Above Gold Hawthorne Strainer
A Bar Above Gold Fine Mesh Strainer
Viski Angled Stemmed Crystal Coupe GlassBuy this glass here
Notes
- Make honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and warm water, stirring until dissolved
- Store honey syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
- For an aromatic twist, try infusing your honey syrup with lavender or thyme
The Best Ingredients for Bee’s Knees
The key to an exceptional Bee’s Knees lies in your choice of ingredients. For the gin, Plymouth Gin offers the perfect botanical balance, though Hendrick’s adds a lovely rose and cucumber note. Aviation Gin works beautifully too.
For honey, opt for high-quality local wildflower honey – we love Dutch Gold or Nature Nate’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey. The floral notes really shine through!
Always use fresh lemon juice – never bottled. Sunkist or Meyer lemons work wonderfully here.
Some Things To Note
Honey is wonderful in drinks, but at full strength, it is difficult to use. A practical way of preparing honey for use in drinks is to turn it into a thinner syrup, similar to simple syrup. To do so, combine 1 part honey with 1 part warm water and stir until all the honey is dissolved.
Store in the fridge for 2 weeks. Need more help? Take a look at this post that shows you how to make your own honey simple syrup.
History of the Bees Knees
The Bee’s Knees buzzed onto the scene during Prohibition, when honey and lemon were used to mask the harsh taste of bathtub gin. Unlike many cocktails from this era, it’s actually improved with quality spirits!
This cocktail has seen a major renaissance in craft cocktail bars, often featuring variations with lavender-infused honey or chamomile-infused gin. The modern craft cocktail movement has embraced this drink as a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create something extraordinary.
The name comes from 1920s slang, where “the bee’s knees” meant the height of excellence. 🐝 Fun fact: the phrase likely originated from the notion that bees carry pollen on their knees!
Final Thoughts
Raise a glass to this liquid piece of history! 🍯 Whether you’re a gin enthusiast or just starting your cocktail journey, the Bee’s Knees proves that sometimes the simplest combinations are the most magical. Now that’s something to buzz about! ✨
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