The Bees Knees: A Delicious Classic Cocktail Drink
The ‘Bees Knees’ cocktail is a classic Prohibition-era drink, made from gin, honey and lemon juice. It was traditionally served in speakeasies as an alternative to stronger drinks like whiskey or moonshine. The combination of the sweet honey and sharp citrus flavors make this a delicious beverage that can be enjoyed all year round.
Dating back to the 1920s, the origin of this drink comes from American folk etymology. It is believed that saying something (or someone) was ‘the bee’s knees’ referred to it being very good or excellent – much like how we might use the phrase today! This term has been used since at least 1911 and by 1922 had become well known enough for bartenders to create a cocktail out of it.
Making your own version of the Bees Knees isn’t difficult; you just need some quality ingredients such as London dry gin, fresh lemon juice and honey syrup. For best results combine these with some ice in a shaker tin before straining into your favorite glassware – then enjoy! There are many variations on this classic recipe so feel free to experiment with different amounts or types of ingredients until you find what works for you.
The Bees Knees
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- - 2 ounces gin
- - 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- - 3/4 ounce honey syrup 1 part honey, 1 part water
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
- Pour the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup into the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to combine ingredients and chill them thoroughly.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass or coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer or other cocktail strainer if you have one available.
- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve immediately while cold!
Glassware
A Bee’s Knees is typically served in a coupe glass. This type of glass has a wide base and narrow rim, which helps to show off the layered effect created when making this drink. It also provides plenty of space for garnishes like fresh fruit or edible flowers that can be used to give the drink an extra special flair.
Flavors
A classic Prohibition-era cocktail with a unique flavor profile. It’s made up of three simple ingredients: gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. The combination of these three ingredients creates an unexpected blend of sweet and sour flavors that delight the palate.
The gin adds a sharpness to the drink that is balanced out by the sweetness from the honey syrup. The lemon juice brings some tartness to cut through all of those strong flavors and create something truly special. The end result is a flavorful mix that’s both vibrant and refreshing – perfect for sipping on during warm summer days or as an after dinner treat!
