The BEST Bee's Knees Cocktail Recipe
As a cocktail enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try out. One of my favorite go-to drinks is the classic Bee's Knees cocktail, and for good reason! The perfect balance of sweet and tart, this prohibition-era cocktail is a simple yet delicious drink that is sure to impress your guests at your next happy hour or dinner party. In this blog post, I will be sharing my favorite recipe for the Bee's Knees cocktail and some tips on how to make the best version of this classic drink.
What is a Bee's Knees Cocktail?
First things first, let's talk about what exactly a Bee's Knees cocktail is. This drink originated during the prohibition era in the United States, when the production and consumption of alcohol were illegal. During this time, people had to get creative with their drinks and often used ingredients like honey and lemon to mask the taste of bootlegged alcohol. The Bee's Knees cocktail is a variation of the standard gin sour, made with equal parts honey syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and dry gin. It is believed that the honey was added to give the drink a smoother taste, making it easier to drink.
Gin: The Star of the Show
The main ingredient in a Bee's Knees cocktail is, of course, gin. As a lover of gin cocktails, I have tried many different gins, and I can confidently say that the best gin to use in this recipe is a dry gin. Dry gin, also known as London dry gin, is a style of gin that has a strong juniper berry flavor and is considered to be the best gin for classic cocktails. Some great choices for dry gin include Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, and Beefeater. However, feel free to experiment with different gins to find your personal favorite.
Honey Syrup: The Sweetener
As mentioned earlier, the Bee's Knees cocktail is made with equal parts honey syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and dry gin. Honey syrup is simply a mixture of honey and water, and it is a crucial ingredient in this cocktail as it provides the perfect balance of sweetness. You can make your own honey syrup at home by combining equal parts honey and hot water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved, and let it cool to room temperature before using it in your cocktail. Using honey syrup instead of straight honey ensures that the honey is evenly distributed throughout the drink, giving it a more consistent flavor.
Lemon Juice: The Sour Component
The next ingredient in our Bee's Knees recipe is fresh-squeezed lemon juice. It is important to use fresh lemon juice in this cocktail as it gives a bright and tangy flavor to the drink. You can either use a hand-held citrus juicer or squeeze the lemon juice by hand. The amount of lemon juice can also be adjusted according to personal preference. If you like your drinks on the tart side, you can add a little more lemon juice, and if you prefer a sweeter drink, you can add a little less.
The Perfect Ratio
Now that we have all the ingredients for our Bee's Knees cocktail, let's talk about the perfect ratio of these ingredients. As mentioned earlier, this classic cocktail is made with equal parts honey syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and dry gin. This means that for every 2 ounces of gin, you will need ¾ ounce of lemon juice and ½ ounce of honey syrup. This ratio creates a well-balanced drink with a hint of sweetness and a tart finish.
Mixing and Serving
To make the perfect Bee's Knees cocktail, you will need a cocktail shaker, a strainer, and a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Fill your shaker with ice, add all the ingredients, and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This ensures that all the ingredients are well combined and the drink is chilled. Next, double strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass to remove any small ice shards or lemon seeds. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can also mix the ingredients in a glass with ice and strain it into a chilled glass. Finally, garnish your drink with a lemon twist by twisting a thin strip of lemon peel over the drink to release its essential oils and then dropping it into the drink. This adds a touch of citrus aroma and looks great too!
Variations and Tips
While the classic Bee's Knees cocktail recipe is delicious on its own, there are some variations you can try to mix things up. For a more herbal twist, you can add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme to the shaker while mixing the ingredients. This adds an extra layer of flavor to the drink and makes it even more refreshing. You can also experiment with different gins to see how they affect the taste of the cocktail. Some gins have more herbal notes, while others have a more floral or citrusy taste. Finding your favorite gin for this drink is all part of the fun!
The Bee's Knees cocktail is a classic prohibition-era drink that has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by many today. With its simple ingredients and easy recipe, it is the perfect cocktail to make at home for a fun and delicious happy hour. Plus, it can easily be customized to suit your taste preferences. So, the next time you're looking for a refreshing and classy drink, give the Bee's Knees cocktail a try. I assure you, it will not disappoint! Cheers to cold cocktails and good company!
Ingredients:
2 ounces gin
¾ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce honey syrup
Lemon twist to garnish
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture thoroughly.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass, using a cocktail strainer to catch any ice or pulp.
Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy
The BEST Bees Knees Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey syrup
- Lemon twist to garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
- Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture thoroughly.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass, using a cocktail strainer to catch any ice or pulp.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy
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