Sharing all the details for making a Bee’s Knees cocktail. It’s made with three simple ingredients and is perfect for all year! Easy to make, refreshing and absolutely delicious.
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Whether you’re sitting in a cozy cabin near a fireplace or outside on the patio during a warm summer day. A bee’s knees cocktail is the perfect simple and clean drink that you can make all year.
The last time I had a bee’s knees what at Little Jack’s Tavern in Charleston. It was a rainy, winter day and we sat next to a fireplace. I ordered a burger and a bee’s knees and it was just perfect.
History of the Bee’s Knees Cocktail
Table of Contents
Before making the cocktail, read these quick history facts about this classic drink!
- Created in the Prohibition Era
- The name comes from slang “the best”
- It was created to hide the taste of poor gin. This was during the era of “bathtime” gin!
- Bathtime gin is a term used for poorly concocted homemade spirits.
How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
Using only 3 simple ingredients, you can make this cocktail!
Ingredients
- Gin
- Lemon Juice
- Honey Simple Syrup
Directions
Make the honey simple syrup by combing equal parts honey and water in a saucepan and melt it together.
Check out our guide for making simple syrups. Just like the name, they are very “simple” to make!
Squeeze fresh lemons for lemon juice.
Next, add gin, lemon juice and honey simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake for 30-40 seconds then strain in a coupe glass.
Garnish with a pretty flower or a lemon twist.
Tips for Making a Bee’s Knees
- Always shake for 40 seconds, so the water can dilute the flavors and chill the cocktail.
- Always use good quality gin and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
- If you prefer a sweeter drink add in a little more honey simple syrup.
What gin should I use?
- Hendrick’s Gin
- Gray Whale
- St. George
- The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
- Tanqueray London Dry Gin
How many calories are in a bee’s knees?
The good thing about this cocktail is that it’s made with a light honey simple syrup! Calories will vary but this recipe has about 175 calories per drink.
Two ounces gin has around 115-130 calories. Again, this totally varies but you can use that as an estimate. Vodka has the lowest calorie count for a spirit.
Bee’s Knees Cocktail Variations
Add other flavors to the cocktail by adding herbs or flowers to the simple syrup. Here are some fun ways to switch it up!
- Add dried lavender to the Bee’s Knees when shaking the cocktail.
- Rosemary works really well with these flavors.
- Use vodka instead of gin.
- Try whiskey instead of gin.
Large Batch Bee’s Knees
For a party make a large batch for a Bee’s Knees punch! To make a large batch punch, calculate two cocktails per guest and then multiply the recipe by that number.
When using more ingredients, the flavors will change, so make sure you taste test the punch before and add whatever you feel it’s missing.
A large cocktail shaker works really well for making a batch, shaken cocktails.
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For a summer treat try our lemonade popsicles!
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Bee’s Knees Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice, fresh-squeezed
- 1/2 ounce honey simple syrup , 1/2 ounce is 1 tablespoon
Instructions
- Make the honey simple syrup by combing equal parts honey and water in a saucepan and melt it together.
- Squeeze fresh lemons for lemon juice.
- Next, add gin, lemon juice and honey simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for 30-40 seconds then strain in a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a pretty flower or a lemon twist.
Julie Blanner says
Love this! Not only is it fun to say over and over, but it’s delicious too!
wilhelmina says
This is my new favorite drink! Honey simple syrup is to die for!
stephanie says
Such a yummy adult beverage!!!