Classic Bee’s Knees Drink Recipe | Mixology Guide

The Bee’s Knees drink recipe dates back to the Prohibition era. It brings gin, lemon, and honey together for a tasty mix. This cocktail shines on a sunny spring day with its bright, sweet taste.

A special honey simple syrup is key. It adds a smooth sweetness to the drink. You can make this classic Bees Knees cocktail Recipe easily at home. Just make sure to use a good dry gin. Brands like Beefeater’s or a local favorite, such as Rieger’s Dry Gin from Kansas City, will do the trick.

Key Takeaways

• The Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition-era cocktail with a mix of gin, lemon, and honey.
• Received a 5-star rating from 34 reviews and garnered 92 comments.
• Preparation time is just 5 minutes for this easy Bees Knees Drink Recipe.
• Made with Rieger’s Dry Gin for an elevated flavor profile.
• Using a measuring jigger is crucial for accuracy in this cocktail delight.

What is the Bee’s Knees Cocktail?

The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a treasure from the Prohibition era. It shows how good things can arise from tough times. The drink blends gin, honey, and lemon in perfect harmony. “Bee’s Knees” was 1920s slang for “the best,” and reflects its amazing mix of flavors.

Origins of the Bee’s Knees

The story behind the Bee’s Knees cocktail is one of making do during Prohibition. This was a period in America when making and selling alcohol was illegal. People mixed up the cocktail to hide bad-tasting home-made alcohol.

Mixing gin with honey syrup and lemon juice was a stroke of genius. Honey sweetened the low-quality gin of those days. This made the cocktail a hit for being both tasty and easy to drink.

Prohibition-Era Influence

The Bee’s Knees became a classic thanks to creative people of Prohibition times. They used fresh lemon and honey to improve rough spirits. This showed early mixing skill. The cocktail’s enduring popularity proves it.

Today, the Bee’s Knees is still loved for its flavor and history. It can be made with various gins and honeys, like Washington Buckwheat or Aroeira honey. This makes it a popular choice among drinks lovers.

Ingredients Needed for the Classic Bee’s Knees Cocktail

The Bee’s Knees cocktail represents simplicity and grace. It needs only a few top-notch ingredients. Gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup work together perfectly, creating a beautiful drink. Knowing the details can make creating and savoring this cocktail even better.

Essential Ingredients

To get the best bees knees drink, you must use key ingredients:

1. 2 ounces dry gin: A good dry gin, such as Beefeater’s, gives strong juniper flavors.
2. 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice: You need fresh lemon juice for its lively, tangy taste.
3. 1/2 ounce honey syrup: Mix equal parts honey and water for a smooth blend.
4. Lemon twist: It’s for looks and smell, making the drink stand out.

These exact amounts lead to a classic honey lemon gin cocktail. It’s cool and a bit sweet, perfect for any time.

Optional Ingredients and Variations

While the original Bee’s Knees is wonderful, trying new things can add more fun. Here are some ideas:

• Different Gins: Try different gins, like Hendrick’s, or those with citrus or flower tones.
• Floral Infusions: Use lavender bitters or St. Germain elderflower liqueur for a twist.
• Vodka Substitute: Use vodka instead of gin for a different taste but keep the cocktail true.

These changes make the cocktail your own. It turns the gin and honey mixture into something for everyone, anytime.

Knowing you can change the Bee’s Knees recipe makes it accessible to all. You can stick to the classic or try something new. This way, you can fully enjoy and experiment with this beloved cocktail.

How to Make Honey Simple Syrup for Cocktails

Making honey simple syrup is key for the perfect Bee’s Knees cocktail. Mix equal parts honey and water. Then, gently heat two tablespoons of each until well mixed. This syrup boosts the flavor of many cold drinks.

After making it, store the syrup in the fridge. It will stay good for two weeks. This way, you’re always ready to mix up some cocktails, including the Bee’s Knees.

This recipe is for one cocktail but can easily be made for more. Use a standard cocktail shaker for up to three drinks. Serving them in a coupe or martini glass adds a classy feel. For more cocktail recipes, including the Bee’s Knees, check out our mixology guide. See here.

Rieger’s Dry Gin from Kansas City is perfect with honey syrup. The Rieger distillery makes it. They are now making hand sanitizer, showing their quality. Enjoy the mix of gin, lemon, and honey in the Bee’s Knees.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Bees Knees Drink Recipe

The bee’s knees cocktail is a classic. It mixes gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup perfectly. This guide will help you make a sophisticated, tasty drink.

Preparation of Ingredients

First, make sure all your ingredients are ready to go. Here’s what you need to do:

• Honey Simple Syrup: Mix equal parts honey and water. Warm them up and then cool. You can save any extra in the fridge for two weeks.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Squeeze lemons until you get 1 ounce of juice. It must be fresh to make the drink zesty.
• Gin: Choose 2 ounces of your favorite gin. Beefeater’s, Hendrick’s, and Rieger’s Dry Gin are good options.
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Mixing the Cocktail

With your ingredients set, let’s mix the cocktail. It’s easy but very important:

1. Put ½ ounce of honey syrup, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and 2 ounces of gin into a shaker.
2. Then, add ice and shake hard for 15 seconds. This mixes and chills the drink at the same time.

Serving Suggestions

To serve the Bee’s Knees with style, do the following:

• Use a strainer to pour your cocktail into a chilled coupe or martini glass. It looks classic this way.
• Finish by adding a lemon peel twist. It makes the drink smell great and look amazing.

This bees knees recipe is simple but impressive. It’s great for a night in or making for friends. Its simple yet elegant nature makes it a top choice.

Choosing the Best Gin for the Bee’s Knees

In making the Bee’s Knees cocktail, the gin you choose matters a lot. It affects the drink’s taste in a big way. The Bee’s Knees cocktail brings together sweet and sour perfectly. The right gin makes this blend even better. Beefeater’s, for instance, is a dry gin that makes the classic taste shine. It’s a traditional choice, reminding us of cocktails from the past.

Hendrick’s is a gin that’s a bit different. It combines cucumber and rose flavors for a fresh twist. This change brings a lovely scent and taste to the Bee’s Knees. It’s a pick for those who like to try new things.

The best gin for bees knees does a lot more than affect the flavor. It changes the whole drink. Reviewers love those quality gins that take the cocktail up a notch. With over 92 comments and a 5-star rating from 34 reviews, it’s clear.

The type of gin affects everything. Rieger’s makes a dry gin that’s unique and filled with local taste. This kind of gin adds something special to the cocktail. It shows how varied gins can be, to suit everyone’s taste.

Whether you’re an expert or just enjoy a drink, a quality gin is key. It does more than mix well. It lifts the honey and lemon up. Choosing well turns a simple drink into a special treat. Every sip stands out with a good gin in the mix.

Why Fresh Lemon Juice is Key

Fresh lemon juice is vital for a perfect Bee’s Knees cocktail. This fresh lemon juice cocktail gets its great taste from freshly squeezed lemons. It outshines bottled juice that often has less flavor due to preservatives.

The right mix is key in the Bee’s Knees: 2 ounces of gin, 3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 ounce of honey syrup. This blend makes gin’s flavors mix well with sweet honey and sour lemon. Fresh lemon juice takes this drink to the next level.

Using fresh lemon juice keeps the Bee’s Knees real and tasty, just like back in the Prohibition. This mix’s tale dates to 1920s Paris, thanks to Frank Meier at the Hôtel Ritz. Fresh lemon juice is true to this heritage, adding a fresh kick to classic London Dry gins like Beefeater.

To make a great Bee’s Knees, use only the fresh stuff, especially lemons. This approach blends gin, honey, and lemon perfectly. It makes a wonderful drink for any get-together, from quiet nights to big celebrations.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Bee’s Knees Drink

Making the perfect Bee’s Knees cocktail means being precise and creative. Things like adjusting sweetness or how it looks are important. These tips will make sure your Bee’s Knees is memorable in any cocktail book.

Adjusting Sweetness

Getting the sweetness just right is crucial for a Bee’s Knees. The usual mix is 2 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of lemon juice, a tablespoon of honey, and half a tablespoon of water. But playing with the honey syrup amount can make it sweeter or less sweet, as you like. Try different honeys for new flavors. If you want to serve a crowd, make the honey syrup in a big batch to keep it consistent.

Presentation Ideas

How you serve your cocktail is key for a great experience. A classic coupe glass with a lemon twist or wedge looks elegant. Or try a sprig of rosemary or thyme for something different. Making your drink look good isn’t just about style. It also connects your drink to the long history of mixology.

The Bee’s Knees has a special place in cocktail history, coming from the Prohibition. It was even linked to the Hotel Ritz Paris. So, when you think about how to serve it, remember its long and exciting story.

Variations and Twists on the Classic Bee’s Knees Cocktail

The Bee’s Knees cocktail is super versatile, making it easy to add fun twists. This lets you enjoy the classic recipe in many new, enticing ways. You can play with bubbly for a party, use a highball glass for a cool option, or go for a gin mix with flowery hints for something special.

French 75 Variation

To make a sparkling French 75, start with a Bee’s Knees and add champagne. Pour the mixture into two flutes and top them off. This change brings lightness and sparkle, perfect for cheering and special days.

Tom Collins Twist

For a zesty Tom Collins twist, switch to a highball glass. Just make your Bee’s Knees, then add the mix to a tall glass with ice. Top with club soda. It’s great for kicking back with.

Floral Infusions

Elevate your drink with floral notes by using an elderflower liqueur, like St. Germain, instead of honey syrup. This adds a gentle sweetness and flowery aroma. Try it with gins known for their flowery side, like Hendrick’s. It’s sure to please those who love gin.

By trying out these bees knees cocktail variations, you can discover many flavorful twists on the original. From the lively French 75 to the chilled-out Tom Collins, or the elegant floral gin mix, each twist keeps the Bee’s Knees magic alive, with something new for everyone.

Conclusion

The Bee’s Knees cocktail captures the creativity of the Prohibition era. It blends gin, lemon, and honey in a unique way. This classic has come back into style, showing its timeless appeal. Aged gin, like Barr Hill’s Tom Cat, and the use of ginger and honey syrups add a modern touch to this old favorite.

Two simple syrups are made for this cocktail. Fresh ginger root is used for one syrup. White sugar is chosen to keep the drink clear. These choices really improve how the cocktail tastes. Fresh lemon juice, with crystallized ginger and lemon peel as garnish, add a fresh kick and make it look and smell great. They make the cocktail feel special and tie it to the past.

This cocktail has been loved since the 1920s. It encourages people to try new things. You can make it in the classic way or try something different, like the Ginger Bee’s Knees. Serving it with certain foods, like squash or apples, makes the experience even better. So, this old cocktail recipe still delights and inspires today.