Bee's Knees
/

Bee's Knees
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.9 / 5
The Bee's Knees is a fun and very easy cocktail from the Prohibition era. Some stories claim that the drink was concocted because the honey masked the odour of the alcohol. A London dry gin will create a completely different profile than one of the new American-style gins, and whatever botanicals are more apparent in the gin you choose will be accented by the honey syrup and lemon.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

100 Cocktails To Try Before You Die (Part 2)
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gin
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
187 calories
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.26% | 2.4 units *

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

5/5

Bee's Knees capitalizes on the smooth blend of gin with the sweetness of honey syrup, cut through by a refreshing dash of lemon juice. This Prohibition-era cocktail is both disarmingly simple and deliciously sweet, perfect for those who savor a hint of honey in their spirited concoctions.

Method
How to make a Bee's Knees

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
Shake well then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Bee's Knees with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to bring a vibrant freshness to the cocktail that cannot be matched by bottled versions.
Warm the honey slightly before mixing to ensure it blends seamlessly with the gin and lemon juice, preventing it from settling at the bottom of the glass.
Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Shake  ·  Strain  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

  • Speakeasy Spirits: Rediscover the Allure of Prohibition Cocktails

Step back in time to the roaring 1920s, an era of jazz, flappers, and clandestine speakeasies, with our exclusive collection...

Go to collection

FAQ's

Origins history icon

What is the origin of the Bee's Knees cocktail?

The Bee's Knees cocktail dates back to the Prohibition era in the United States, around the 1920s. It was created as a way to mask the harsh flavors of homemade 'bathtub' gin. The sweet ingredients like honey and lemon juice helped to smooth out the gin, making it more palatable. Its name, 'Bee's Knees', was slang at the time for something excellent or of high quality.

Ingredient specifics icon

Can I use any type of honey to make the honey syrup for the Bee's Knees?

Yes, you can use any type of honey you prefer to make the honey syrup for the Bee's Knees cocktail. However, different types of honey will impart slightly different flavors and sweetness levels. For a classic taste, a mild-flavored honey like clover is recommended, but feel free to experiment with darker, more flavorful honeys like buckwheat for a deeper taste profile.

Preparation techniques icon

Why is the Bee's Knees cocktail shaken and not stirred?

The Bee's Knees cocktail is shaken and not stirred to thoroughly mix the honey syrup with the other ingredients, ensuring a smooth texture and even distribution of flavors. Shaking also chills the cocktail faster and adds a slight dilution, which is desirable for balancing the sweetness of the honey syrup and the acidity of the lemon juice.

Serving suggestions icon

What is the ideal glass for serving a Bee's Knees?

The ideal glass for serving a Bee's Knees is a cocktail glass, also known as a martini glass. This type of glass showcases the cocktail's clarity and elegance. It also helps to concentrate the aromatics for a better tasting experience.

Garnishing tips icon

What garnishes work well with the Bee's Knees cocktail?

A lemon twist or a slice of lemon works well as a garnish for the Bee's Knees cocktail, adding a touch of elegance and enhancing the citrus aroma. You can also add a sprig of fresh lavender or a small edible flower to introduce a floral note that complements the honey's sweetness.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image