Bees Knees Cocktail is a delicious classic gin cocktail with only 3 ingredients! Easy to prepare and easy to sip!
The Bees Knees Cocktail
Okay, remember the honey simple syrup that I posted about on Tuesday? I made it with this Bees Knees Cocktail specifically in mind. It had been awhile since I had a bees knees and it was calling to me.
Drinking a Bees Knees always reminds me of watching the old black white movies, where they said things like, "He's the bees knees" and 'isn't she just swell" and "he is the cat's pajamas."
This cocktail is usually included in the list of classic prohibition cocktails, which include other favorites like the French 75, The White Lady and The Last Word.
I've made it a goal this year to try and make most of the well known prohibition cocktails. It's one of those made up tasks that I give myself. I enjoy it much more than the clean out the garage task and unlike the clean out the garage task, I'll probably complete this one!
Ingredients needed to make a Bees Knees Cocktail:
Honey Simple Syrup - equal parts honey and water, heated until honey is dissolved.
Gin - I used a local gin from Gate Eleven Distillery that has soft floral botanical notes. Use your favorite gin, something that you think would pair well with the honey.
Lemon - for fresh squeezed lemon juice.
How to Make a Bees Knees Cocktail:
- Put a coupe glass in the freezer to chill or fill it with ice.
- Measure ¾ ounce of hones honey simple syrup and add to a cocktail shaker.
- Measure 2 ounces of gin and add to the cocktail shaker.
- Measure ¾ ounce of lemon juice and add to the cocktail shaker. Note - before you squeeze the lemon, use a channel knife to remove several sections of lemon peel for garnish. I like to remove as much as possible and I store the extra peels in the freezer for whenever I need an extra lemon peel garnish.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker about half full. Shake for about 10-20 seconds or until the cocktail shaker becomes frosty.
- Remove the coupe glass from the freezer or pour out the ice if you used that method to chill the glass.
- Strain cocktail into the coupe glass and garnish with the lemon twist.
This cocktail is so easy and so good! It has a soft floral flavor, it's richness depends on the kind of gin you use. The herbal floral notes from the gin, the floral earthy notes from the honey are all balanced by the citrus from the lemon juice. A perfectly balanced cocktail!
Delicious Gin Cocktails:
Hanky Panky Cocktail - also called the Fernet-Branca Cocktail.
Southside Cocktail - another easy gin cocktail this time with some mint!
Italian Gin and Tonic - with it's lovely orange color it makes a delicious fall cocktail.
Tart Cherry Negroni - a classic negroni with a fruity twist!
For even more be sure and follow my Gin Cocktails and Recipes Board on Pinterest.
Bees Knees Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce honey simple syrup
- ¾ ounce lemon juice fresh squeezed
- lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a cocktail glass (preferably a coupe.)
- Add gin, honey simple syrup and lemon juice to cocktail shaker.
- Fill halfway with ice. Cover with top and shake for 10-15 seconds or until sides of shaker become frosty.
- Strain into chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Toni says
Such a perfect cocktail! My husband loved it!
Renee says
Pam,
I can't wait to try this tonight in my on-line Gin & Yin class while I'm sheltered at home in CA. How do you store extra honey simple syrup?
Pam Greer says
Store it in the fridge, just like any simple syrup.
Lizzie says
Hi Pam: Wowzers, this looks fantastic. Honey simple syrup, huh? Great because I find straight honey to be just a little too "very very." This will be our Sunday night cocktail -- tomorrow -- here in Boise.
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Traci says
I'm in love with any cocktail that uses gin and honey together. Yummm, girl! Another winner...thanks for sharing 🙂
Pam Greer says
It is so good together!
Andrea says
Love the name of this drink. The gin with the honey sounds so refreshing.
Ashley @ Sweetpea Lifestyle says
I have had a terrible day, and this is being shaken up right now!! Thank you!!
Pam Greer says
Hope it made your day better!
Emmeline says
Oh I love those old expressions! Like "bee's knees" who on the earth came up with that?? Anyway, I always need a new good cocktail recipe - def trying this one out! Sounds amazing!
Pam Greer says
I know! Aren't they fun!
Lisa Bryan says
Love this cocktail idea! Looks refreshing and perfect for Summer.