The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a charmingly sophisticated classic that blends the elegance of gin with the freshness of lemon and the soft sweetness of honey. It is a simple variation on the classic Gin Sour (gin, lemon, sugar), replacing sugar with honey to create an even richer flavour. It is not overpowering; instead, with every sip, it draws you in a little further and works its charm. Honey and lemon are often used on their own to combat the flu, but when combined with gin, they serve a very different purpose. This cocktail was created during Prohibition, when honey became a kind of natural disguise for illicit alcohol.
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The drink is attributed to Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender who worked at the Hôtel Ritz in Paris in the 1920s. During Prohibition, illicitly produced gin was often of appalling quality and taste, so bartenders needed a way to make it more palatable while also masking the smell of the alcohol. The name “Bee’s Knees” meant “the best of the best” at the time, and the drink still lives up to that compliment today.
Ingredients
2 oz (60 ml) gin
¾ oz (22.5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) honey syrup (honey and water in a 1:1 ratio)
Optional: ⅓ oz (10 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice or the oils expressed from an orange peel over the top – if you prefer a smoother, rounder flavour
How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
Add the ingredients to a shaker with plenty of ice, then shake vigorously so that the honey syrup blends completely with the citrus freshness and the botanical character of the gin. Then, strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. If you choose the orange variation, gently twist the orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then discard it or place it on the rim of the glass.
Serving and Garnish
The Bee’s Knees cocktail is traditionally served without ice in a classic coupe or cocktail glass for an elegant presentation. A twist of lemon zest or a small edible flower, such as a violet or daisy, makes an excellent garnish, especially if you want to highlight the drink’s honeyed character visually.
Calorie Content
A single serving of a Bee’s Knees cocktail contains approximately 170–180 calories. The honey syrup is the main source of calories, although the gin also contributes a significant amount.