Bees knees

Bee’s Knees

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A classic Prohibition-era cocktail that combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup for a perfectly balanced, refreshing drink that’s “the bee’s knees.”

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Coupe Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (125ml)
  • Gin 
    60 ml
  • Lemon Juice 
    22 ml
  • Honey Syrup (3:1) 
    15 ml
  • Lemon Peel 
    1 piece
Recipe credit: Classic Prohibition-era recipe, adapted from 1920s bartending traditions

Instructions

Step

Prepare honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and hot water. Stir until fully dissolved and let cool.

Step

Chill a coupe glass by placing it in the freezer or filling with ice water.

Step

Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Step

Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

Step

Fine strain into the chilled coupe glass.

Step

Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in as garnish.

Equipment

Shaker
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jigger
Citrus juicer

Description

The Bee’s Knees is a timeless cocktail from the 1920s that exemplifies the art of balance in mixology. Created during Prohibition to mask the harshness of bathtub gin, this elegant drink has endured as a testament to simple perfection. The combination of botanical gin, bright lemon juice, and floral honey creates a harmonious blend that’s both sophisticated and approachable.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (125ml)
Calories
165
ABV
19.2 %
Alcohol
19.2 g
Carbs
8.5 g
Carbs from Sugar
8.2 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
0.1 g
Sodium
2 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
Allergens
Honey

Tips & Notes

  • Always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled - the brightness and complexity are essential to the drink's character.

  • Shake hard and with purpose - proper shaking ensures the honey syrup is fully integrated and creates the silky texture.

  • Make honey syrup in batches and store refrigerated for up to one week - it's much easier than making it cocktail by cocktail.

  • For a richer honey flavor, try a 2:1 honey to water ratio in your syrup, but reduce the amount used to 12ml.

  • Experiment with different honey varieties - wildflower, orange blossom, or acacia each bring unique floral notes to the cocktail.

Raw honey is too viscous to mix properly with cold ingredients. Always dilute honey with equal parts hot water to create a syrup for best results.

London Dry gins are traditional and work excellently, but floral or citrus-forward gins can add interesting complexity. Avoid heavily juniper-forward or navy strength gins as they may overpower the delicate honey.

Properly made honey syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. Store it in a sealed container and give it a gentle stir before using.

Yes! Multiply the ingredients proportionally and mix in a large pitcher. Store chilled and shake individual servings with ice before straining into glasses for best results.

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • Gin
    60 ml
  • Lemon Juice
    22 ml
  • Honey Syrup (3:1)
    15 ml
  • Lemon Peel
    1 piece

Method

  1. Prepare honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and hot water. Stir until fully dissolved and let cool.
  2. Chill a coupe glass by placing it in the freezer or filling with ice water.
  3. Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  4. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
  5. Fine strain into the chilled coupe glass.
  6. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in as garnish.