Bee’s Knees Cocktail Recipe
Taste
Bright, Honeyed & Refreshingly Crisp
Skill Level
Easy
Prep Time
5 Minutes
Elegant, uplifting and beautifully simple, the Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition-era classic that has stood the test of time. Blending the delicate botanicals of gin with fresh lemon juice and the natural sweetness of honey, this cocktail is a perfect harmony of sharp citrus and smooth golden warmth. Light, vibrant and effortlessly refreshing, it’s an ideal choice for warm afternoons, aperitif moments, or whenever you fancy something classic with a modern feel.
Created at a time when quality ingredients were scarce, the Bee’s Knees was designed to elevate basic spirits into something remarkable. Today, with premium gins and fragrant honeys at our fingertips, the drink’s simplicity becomes its strength, crisp, bright and undeniably delicious.
Ingredients
-
50ml gin
-
25ml fresh lemon juice
-
20ml honey syrup (honey mixed with a little warm water)
-
Ice cubes
-
Garnish: lemon twist
Tools You’ll Need
-
A cocktail shaker
-
A fine strainer (optional, for a smoother finish)
-
A coupe glass
-
A bar spoon
-
A small knife or peeler for garnish
How to Make the Perfect Bee’s Knees
-
Prepare your honey syrup – Mix equal parts honey and warm water until smooth. This ensures it blends easily without clumping.
-
Add your ingredients to the shaker – Pour in the gin, lemon juice and honey syrup.
-
Add ice and shake briskly – Fill your shaker with ice and shake for around 10–12 seconds until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
-
Strain and pour – Double strain into a chilled coupe glass for a silky, refined finish.
-
Garnish and serve – Express a lemon twist over the top of your drink, then place it in the glass to enhance the aroma.
Refreshing, smooth and beautifully balanced, the Bee’s Knees lives up to its name.
Our Tips for Making the Perfect Bee’s Knees at Home
-
Use high-quality honey. Floral honeys like acacia or wildflower add depth and elegance.
-
Always use fresh lemon juice. It delivers the brightness the drink relies on.
-
Shake hard. A vigorous shake blends the honey fully and chills the drink properly.
-
Chill your glass. It keeps the cocktail crisp and refreshing.
-
Try botanical gins. Floral or citrus-forward gins complement the honey beautifully.
Similar Drinks
If you enjoy the Bee’s Knees’ balance of citrus, sweetness and botanicals, you’ll likely love these gin favourites too:
-
Peeping Tom Collins – A zesty, effervescent gin highball with lemon and soda.
-
Elderflower Fizz – A floral gin cocktail with prosecco and a bright, sparkling finish.
-
Grapefruit Sour – A silky, citrus-led gin sour with a refreshing bittersweet edge.
From Prohibition to Perfection
The Bee’s Knees was born during the Prohibition era of the 1920s, a time when creative bartenders worked hard to mask the harsh flavours of homemade spirits. Honey and lemon proved the perfect solution, turning rough gin into something smooth, fragrant and full of character.
Its name comes from the slang of the time, meaning “the very best”, and the drink quickly lived up to it. Even as Prohibition ended, the Bee’s Knees endured, becoming a beloved staple for its refreshing simplicity and natural sweetness.
Today, with premium gin and quality honey, this once-practical cocktail has evolved into a modern classic, bright, refined and delightfully easy to enjoy.
