Bee’s Knees Cocktail Recipe

Our Bee’s Knees Cocktail Recipe is delicious and the perfect drink for warmer weather. Whip up a couple of these for happy hour and toast to summertime with this classic prohibition-era cocktail.

The Bee’s Knees was a very popular cocktail back in the 1920s. Today, we know the phrase “the bee’s knee’s” as meaning something amazing. She’s the bee’s knees might mean she is attractive and admired. But at one time, the phrase actually referred to something small, like real bee’s knees. But wait. Do bees have knees? Yes, they really do have six knees. So now you know.

Many stories claim the reason this sweet drink was created was to mask the terrible taste of the gin of that time period. And though it’s true that Prohibition did prevent the U.S. and a handful of other countries from getting good quality alcohol, many places in the world did not have any restrictions.

According to the book, Signature Cocktails by Amanda Schuster, cocktail historian Jared Brown found an article about a woman in Paris who ordered a drink with gin, lemon, and honey. And not just any woman, but Mrs. J.J. Brown, aka Titanic survivor Margaret Brown, also known as The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

It’s said a bartender at the Paris Ritz, Frank Meier, made the drink, and is credited with its creation. I guess only the people there that night would know for sure.

This is only one of several stories referencing the Bee’s Knees cocktail, but I think it adds an amusing twist to a fun cocktail. And I’m sticking with it!

I only wish I had known this story when we stopped at the Ritz Carlton on the Paris at Night excursion as part of the Seine River Cruise with Viking Cruises. I surely would have gone in and had a Bee’s Knees!

For fans of gin cocktails, try this Frozen Raspberry Gin and Tonic, too. It’s another simple cocktail recipe I think you’ll enjoy on a warm evening.

What You Need to Make The Bees Knees Cocktail

• 1 ounce homemade honey syrup (see recipe card at bottom)
• 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 4 ounces dry gin
• Fresh lemon for garnish
• Ice

How To Make It

Homemade Honey Syrup

Start by making the homemade honey syrup. It’s as easy as making simple syrup with honey instead of sugar. Make more or less, but use equal parts honey and water.

Combine a half cup of honey and a half cup of hot water in a small saucepan. Stir until the honey has dissolved and the two are well combined. Let cool before using.

Making the Bee’s Knees Cocktail

Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker.

Pour in honey syrup.

Add lemon juice.

Add dry gin.

Shake well to combine and chill, but not too long that the drink will become watered down.

Pour the cocktail, strained, into your chilled coupe glass. Garnish with fresh lemon slices or a twist.

Substitutions and Variations

Use local honey if at all possible. You can pick it up at your local farmer’s market. You’ll probably find different varieties, depending on what the bees are feeding on. There are over 300 varieties of honey in the United States alone, and the type you use really will change the flavor of the drink, some more than others. Keep in mind that light colored honey is milder, and darker-hued honey is usually stronger.

You could make this classic cocktail with simple syrup instead of honey syrup if you don’t have honey on hand. We recommend waiting until you do have honey.

We love pairing rosemary with honey and lemon, so try popping in a sprig of rosemary with the lemon slice or lemon twist.

If you don’t have a bottle of gin, you can also make this classic drink with vodka or white rum.

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Tropical Moscow Mule

Painkiller Cocktail

Classic French 75 Cocktail

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