How To Make The Perfect Bees Knees Cocktail In 5 Easy Steps

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The Bees Knees cocktail is a timeless classic that has been buzzing in bars and home kitchens for years.

This delightful combination of gin, honey, and lemon is as refreshing as it is simple, making it a must-try for cocktail enthusiasts and novices alike.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make the perfect Bees Knees cocktail in 5 easy steps, ensuring that your next sip is as flawless as it is delicious.

Introduction to the Bees Knees Cocktail

The Bees Knees cocktail originated in the roaring 1920s, during the era of Prohibition, when creativity was key to masking the harsh taste of bootlegged spirits.

The name itself, “Bees Knees,” was a popular slang term at the time, meaning “the best” or “the height of excellence.”

True to its name, this cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet honey and zesty lemon, perfectly balanced by the botanicals of gin.

What makes the Bees Knees cocktail so special is its simplicity and versatility.

With just three main ingredients—gin, honey, and lemon—you can easily whip up this delicious drink at home.

And yet, the Bees Knees cocktail offers endless opportunities for creativity, allowing you to add your own twists and variations.

So, if you’re ready to impress your friends with a cocktail that’s easy to make but tastes like a million bucks, follow these five easy steps to create the perfect Bees Knees cocktail.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

Before we dive into making the Bees Knees cocktail, it’s important to have everything you need at your fingertips.

This ensures a smooth process from start to finish.

Here’s a quick list of the essential ingredients and equipment:

Ingredients:

2 oz gin (London Dry gin works best, but feel free to experiment with your favorite gin)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz honey syrup (made by mixing equal parts honey and warm water)

Equipment:

Cocktail shaker
Jigger (to measure ingredients)
Fine mesh strainer
Ice
Coupe or martini glass (chilled)

Ingredient Tips:

Gin: The quality of gin plays a major role in the flavor of your Bees Knees cocktail.
A classic London Dry gin will provide a strong, juniper-forward taste, but you can explore other types of gin for a more subtle or floral twist.
Honey Syrup: While honey adds sweetness, it can be a bit thick to mix directly into a cocktail.
By making honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water), you create a smoother, more mixable sweetener.
Plus, you can use different types of honey, such as wildflower or orange blossom, for added flavor depth.

Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients and equipment, you’re ready to start crafting your Bees Knees cocktail.

Step 2: Prepare the Honey Syrup

One of the key ingredients in the Bees Knees cocktail is honey syrup.

If you’ve ever tried mixing raw honey directly into a cocktail, you’ll know it doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquids.

That’s why we create a honey syrup to ensure the drink is smooth and balanced.

How to Make Honey Syrup:

In a small saucepan, combine 1 part honey with 1 part warm water.
Stir until the honey is fully dissolved into the water, creating a syrup-like consistency.
Allow the syrup to cool slightly before using it in your cocktail.

Honey syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, making it easy to whip up multiple Bees Knees cocktails whenever the craving strikes.

Step 3: Shake It Up

Now that your honey syrup is ready, it’s time to bring the cocktail to life.

The process of shaking the ingredients not only chills the drink but also helps blend the flavors beautifully.

Shaking Instructions:

Add 2 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 oz of honey syrup into your cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and secure the lid.
Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. The goal is to fully chill the drink and dilute it just enough to enhance the flavors.

Shaking is an essential step in making the Bees Knees cocktail, as it ensures all the ingredients are well-mixed and the honey syrup is evenly distributed throughout the drink.

Step 4: Strain and Serve

Once you’ve given the cocktail a good shake, it’s time to strain it into your glass.

Straining is important to remove any small ice shards and lemon pulp, giving your cocktail a smooth, clean finish.

Straining Instructions:

Hold a fine mesh strainer over a chilled coupe or martini glass.
Pour the cocktail mixture through the strainer, ensuring no unwanted ice or pulp makes it into your drink.

For a truly elegant presentation, you can garnish your Bees Knees cocktail with a lemon twist or a small sprig of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Step 5: Enjoy the Perfect Bees Knees Cocktail

Congratulations, you’ve just crafted the perfect Bees Knees cocktail!

Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and savor the refreshing combination of gin, honey, and lemon.

Whether you’re enjoying it on a sunny afternoon or serving it to guests at a dinner party, the Bees Knees cocktail is sure to impress.

How to Serve the Bees Knees Cocktail

The Bees Knees cocktail is best served in a coupe or martini glass. Chilling the glass ahead of time ensures the drink stays colder for longer, enhancing its refreshing qualities. You can also experiment with garnishes to elevate the presentation, such as:

A lemon twist (simply peel a thin strip of lemon zest and twist it over the drink to release the citrus oils)
A honeycomb garnish (for a fun and thematic touch, place a small piece of honeycomb on the side of the glass)
A herb sprig (like rosemary or thyme, which pairs beautifully with the gin’s botanicals)

Twists on the Classic Bees Knees Cocktail

While the classic Bees Knees cocktail is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to add a creative twist. Here are a few ideas to experiment with:

1. Lavender Bees Knees Cocktail:

Add a few drops of lavender bitters or steep a small amount of dried lavender in the honey syrup to give your cocktail a floral, aromatic twist.

2. Spicy Bees Knees Cocktail:

For those who love a little heat, muddle a slice of jalapeño in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. This creates a spicy kick that complements the sweetness of the honey.

3. Grapefruit Bees Knees Cocktail:

Swap out the lemon juice for fresh grapefruit juice to give your cocktail a tangier, more bitter profile. This version is perfect for fans of tart flavors.

When to Serve the Bees Knees Cocktail

The Bees Knees cocktail is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions. Here are a few ideas for when to serve this delightful drink:

Brunch Parties: The light, citrusy flavors of the Bees Knees make it a refreshing choice for a daytime gathering.
Summer Picnics: With its cool, crisp profile, the Bees Knees is a perfect drink to enjoy outdoors on a warm day.
Dinner Parties: Serve the Bees Knees as an elegant aperitif to whet your guests’ appetites before the meal.
Cocktail Nights: Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a solo night in, the Bees Knees is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and even easier to drink.

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Conclusion: Mastering the Bees Knees Cocktail

In just five easy steps, you can master the art of the Bees Knees cocktail, a drink that’s both simple to make and incredibly rewarding to sip. Its delicate balance of gin, honey, and lemon makes it a timeless classic, perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or put your own creative spin on it, the Bees Knees cocktail is sure to become a staple in your cocktail repertoire.

So next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, tangy, and utterly refreshing, remember: the Bees Knees cocktail is just a shake away.