Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 1 cocktail
A Prohibition-era classic that’s still stealing the show. The Bee’s Knees blends gin, honey, and lemon into a smooth, citrusy drink that’s classy and timeless. Perfect for brunches, weddings, or winding down a sunny afternoon.
🍯 Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water)
- Lemon twist for garnish
🍸 Instructions
- Make honey syrup: Stir equal parts honey and warm water until dissolved.
- Shake: In a shaker filled with ice, combine gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Strain: Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a lemon twist.
✨ Tips from Real Events
At private weddings and cocktail parties, we pre-batch the honey syrup and chill coupe glasses ahead of time. It’s an elegant touch that keeps the drinks crisp and service quick.
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❓ Bee’s Knees FAQs
The Bee’s Knees is made with gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup, shaken and served in a coupe glass with a lemon twist garnish.
The cocktail dates back to Prohibition and “bee’s knees” was slang for something excellent or outstanding. The honey in the drink makes it literally and figuratively “the bee’s knees.”
A London Dry gin like Tanqueray or Beefeater gives it classic structure, but botanical gins like Hendrick’s add floral notes that complement the honey.
Yes! Pre-mix gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a bottle and chill. Shake individual servings with ice before pouring.
Absolutely. Swap the gin for soda water or a zero-proof gin alternative to create a refreshing honey-lemon mocktail.
Fresh lemon juice is strongly recommended for the best flavor. Bottled juice lacks the brightness and natural oils.
You can substitute agave syrup in a pinch, but it will give a slightly different flavor. Honey provides the authentic taste!
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