The Bee’s Knees cocktail is one of those simple drinks that’s just perfect for warm, sunny days. It’s made with only three ingredients—gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice—and hits that perfect balance of sweet and tart.
This cocktail actually dates back to the Prohibition era, when alcohol was banned in the U.S. People were bootlegging gin, and let’s just say bathtub gin didn’t always taste great. So they got clever—adding honey to smooth things out and lemon juice for a bright kick.
Fast forward to today, and the Bee’s Knees is totally back in style. Bartenders have been putting their own spins on it, using different kinds of honey or infusing it with herbs like thyme or sage for a fun twist. But honestly, even the classic version is a total crowd-pleaser.
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Ingredient Notes
This easy cocktail recipe requires only three simple ingredients.
- Gin - Use your favorite gin here. If you don't have a favorite, I recommend either a classic dry gin, a citrus-forward gin or a gin with subtle herbal notes to compliment the flavors of the drink.
- Honey Syrup - The sweetness for the cocktail comes from the honey syrup. Honey syrup is equal parts honey and hot water. I recommend using my homemade honey syrup recipe. The type of honey can influence the flavor so it is important to choose a honey that has a light, floral taste.
- Lemon Juice - The hint of sour is derived from the splash of lemon juice added to the cocktail. It provides a tart balance to the cocktail and adds a slight hint of yellow to the color of the drink. Using fresh-squeezed lemon juice will give you the best results and flavor.
See the recipe card for ingredient list with measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- French 75 - To make a more festive cocktail, finish the cocktail off with a splash of champagne and serve in a chilled champagne flute.
- Spirit Switch - In place of gin, substitute the gin, bourbon or tequila.
- Add Orange Juice - Add 2 oz of orange juice to the cocktail shaker before shaking for a sweeter variation.
- Gin Sour - Make a bee's knee's with egg white. Simply add the egg white to the mixture in the cocktail shaker and make sure to shake vigorously to ensure you get a nice fluffy texture.
- Tom Collins - Pour the mixed cocktail over ice in a tall glass and top with club soda for a classic Tom Collins cocktail.
How To Make A Bees Knees Cocktail
This classic cocktail takes just a minute to prepare and only requires a cocktail shaker.
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the gin, honey syrup and lemon juice.
- Step 2: Close the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until cold to the touch.
- Step 3: Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish.
Garnish Suggestions
Adding a different garnish to any cocktail can add a unique twist and change up the flavor a little. Here are a few of our favorite garnishes for this cocktail:
- Lemon Twist - Use a peeler to cut a thin strip of the lemon rind off of the lemon. Twist it over the glass to release the delicious oils and to add a little extra zest. Drop the lemon twist into the glass once twisted.
- Edible Flowers - One of our personal favorite garnishes. Add your favorite edible flower to the glass for a beautiful, fresh touch. Try using chamomile flowers, violas or any other edible flowers you may have in the garden.
- Mint Leaves - Swap out the sage leaves for something a little fresher by adding a sprig of mint to the top of your cocktail.
- Cinnamon Stick - To add a touch of warmth to this cocktail, garnish with a cinnamon stick. This will give the cocktail a slightly spicy flavor and perfectly complement the honey.
Glassware for Serving this Cocktail
This bee's knees cocktail is best served in a chilled coupe glass. This helps to keep the drink deliciously cold while drinking it.
More gin cocktails to try:
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Recipe
Bee's Knees Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- Ice Cubes
- 1 ounce Honey Simple Syrup
- 2 ounces Lemon Juice
- 4 ounces Gin
- Sage Leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.Ice Cubes
- Add the honey syrup, lemon juice and gin to the cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds.1 ounce Honey Simple Syrup, 2 ounces Lemon Juice, 4 ounces Gin
- Divide the cocktail between two chilled coupe glasses and garnish with fresh sage leaves.Sage Leaves
Notes
- 2 cups gin
- 1 cup honey syrup
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- In a pitcher, combine 2 cups of gin, 1 cup of honey syrup, and 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Stir well with a stirring spoon to combine.
- Add ice to the pitcher, filling it about halfway full.
- Stir the mixture well again to chill the drink and dilute it slightly.
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