The Bee’s Knees cocktail achieved outstanding popularity during the Prohibition era. The unique name, meaning excellent, was likely born from the slang of the 1920s. The drink itself, a simple mix of gin, lemon juice, and honey, is a testament to the ingenuity of bartenders working with the often subpar gin prevalent at the time.
While reminiscent of a classic Gin Sour, the honey creates a richer drink that masks any unpleasant flavors. Some even credit its creation to Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender at the famed Hôtel Ritz Paris.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and water, heated until the honey dissolves)
- Lemon twist (for garnish)
How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
This simple yet elegant cocktail is a true classic for a reason. My introduction to the Bee’s Knees was through a vintage cocktail book, and I was immediately charmed by its history (it was created during Prohibition!) and its delightful balance of flavors. Here’s how you can recreate this bit of cocktail history:
Steps
To a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and honey syrup. Shake well until the mixture is chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!
Why the Bee’s Knees Works
The beauty of the Bee’s Knees cocktail lies in its easy, elegant balance of three ingredients. London Dry Gin, with its strong-flavored juniper front-and-center, might seem an unlikely dance partner for the sweetness of honey. Yet, that’s where the magic happens.
A homemade honey syrup (so simple with just honey and water), ideally infused with a whisper of clover or other delicate floral notes, tames the gin’s edges. The tart acidity of freshly squeezed lemon juice then steps in, refreshing the palate and making each sip a delight. This isn’t about masking the gin; it’s about creating a harmonious drink where every element has its presence, making the Bee’s Knees an excellent choice for any occasion.
Why make honey simple syrup?
Honey doesn’t always mix into cold liquids well. It tends to clump and cause problems, especially when you’re trying to craft a perfectly balanced cocktail. To remedy that, we make honey simple syrup from equal parts honey and water. This syrup mixes much more easily into cold cocktails, ensuring your drinks are smooth and delicious. To make honey simple syrup, simply warm the two ingredients together in the microwave, or on the stovetop, until you can easily whisk them together. That’s it! Leftover honey syrup will keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two weeks.
Gin Considerations
When I’m mixing up a Bee’s Knees, my go-to gin is usually a less juniper-y, mellow option like Hendrick’s, with its delightful notes of cucumber and rose. However, if you prefer a drier gin drink, Beefeater’s is always a solid choice. For a gin with a fascinating backstory, try Rieger’s Dry Gin, distilled in Kansas City at the Rieger Distillery.
During the early days of the pandemic, they pivoted their manufacturing to produce tons of hand sanitizer, featuring a beautiful label with a little “thank you” message. It’s a product I was happy to use and a cocktail ingredient I’m always happy to have on hand.
Bee’s Knees Variations
While the classic Bee’s Knees, with its simple mix of gin, lemon, and honey syrup, is delightful on its own, there are times when a riff on the original hits the spot. For a sweeter, floral drink with an elegant touch, try swapping the gin for vodka and adding a splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur.
If you’re looking for a long, refreshing sipper, transforming your Bee’s Knees into a Tom Collins-esque cocktail by adding club soda and serving it over ice is the way to go. For a truly casual yet festive take, topping your Bee’s Knees with bubbly, like a French 75, makes for a fun and easy way to elevate the drink with no fancy Champagne glasses required.
Conclusion
From its Prohibition-era origins to its modern-day resurgence, the Bee’s Knees cocktail continues to charm cocktail enthusiasts with its simplicity and perfectly balanced flavors. Whether you prefer the classic recipe or enjoy experimenting with variations, the Bee’s Knees offers a delightful taste of history that’s easy to recreate at home. The next time you’re looking for a cocktail that’s both delicious and steeped in tradition, give the Bee’s Knees a try your taste buds will thank you!
FAQs
What does the saying “the bee’s knees” mean?
Informal + old-fashioned. : an excellent or much-liked person or thing. She’s the bee’s knees.
Is calling someone the bees knees good or bad?
When you refer to something as ‘the bee’s knees’, it means it is of excellent or very high quality. The origin of this expression is largely unknown, although there are a several theories.
How to use bee’s knees in a sentence?
I use suitcase burners they’re the bee’s knees. To us, it was the bee’s knees. When served with plain yogurt and sprinkled with pollen, it is the bee’s knees. It ended up getting a little help from some pals who also proved to be the bee’s knees.
When was the phrase bees knees popular?
Late in the 18th century, the idiom ‘the bee’s knees’ meant that something was small and insignificant, but by the Roaring 20s it meant a highly admired person or a thing similar to other nonsensical expressions of approval like ‘it’s the cat’s pajamas’ or “the cat’s whiskers”.