Bees Knees Cocktail Recipe

The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a classic recognised for its simplicity and balance, combining sharpness, brightness and smoothness in perfect rhythm to provide crisp, rich sips. The name itself is derived from 1920s slang for something outstanding. It’s certainly fitting, given that this drink was regarded as one of the best of its kind; it continues to be a silent classic that continues to impress with understated elegance.

Bees’ Knees: A History

One of the most recognised cocktails to come out of the Prohibition era, the Bee’s Knees is made with gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup. An extension of the gin sour, the drink’s invention is credited to Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender. The Bee’s Knees swaps the sugar from the original sour for honey. Theories suggest the use of honey was intentional – to mask the taste of the subpar, “bathtub” gin that was popular during Prohibition. Today, the gin’s quality has improved by leaps and bounds, but honey is still in the picture because it gives the cocktail a richer taste, floral sweetness, and rounded mouthfeel. 

Today, the gin cocktail has a few variations, with the most interesting being the Bee’s Sting that swaps honey for hot honey and introduces a bit of chilli to the cocktail. Then there’s The Business, which swaps lemon juice for fresh lime juice to turn it into a honey-based gimlet. You can also make Bumble Bee (alternatively called Honeysuckle) by substituting the gin with white rum. It has a sweeter, sugarcane-forward profile. Other common spirit swaps include tequila and vodka; tequila brings agave notes, while vodka lets honey and lemon shine. 

How to Make Bee’s Knees: Choosing the Right Gin & Honey

Gin forms the base of the drink, and choosing the right spirit is critical. The choice comes down to two styles: a classic London Dry like the Tanqueray London Dry gin or a more modern blend with citrus at the forefront, like the Tanqueray No Ten. A London Dry emphasises the juniper but a modern blend with help you define the sweet-sour balance between citrus and honey. You can opt for either one, but remember, the gin is at the forefront of the drink and not something that hides behind the honey, despite what theories may claim. Thus, it’s ideal to choose a version that best suits your taste.

Equally important here is the choice of honey. Opt for soft or mild honey. Anything with too much flavour runs the risk of drowning a gin’s botanicals and can even imbalance the sweet and sour ratio of the drink. Also, use the honey in the form of syrup and not directly. You can make honey syrup at home by mixing equal parts warm water and honey until fully dissolved. Don’t use boiling water, and if you refrigerate it, clearly label the date of making. It stays fresh for up to a month, but be sure to refrigerate only after the syrup has cooled down.