Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees is a classic, easy-to-make shaken cocktail that mixes gin, lemon juice, and honey, with origins dating back to more than a century.

Though the idea of honey and lemon might remind you of cold remedies, set those thoughts aside. The Bee’s Knees blends honey and lemon, perfectly enhanced by gin’s floral notes. It’s pure perfection in a glass.

Like so many old cocktails, the origins of the Bee’s Knees are murky. What we do know, however, is that the birthplace of this classic 3-ingredient Gin-based cocktail is Paris, France. Some say it was possibly created by an Austrian-born bartender who became the first head bartender at a prestigious hotel in Paris in 1921.

Don’t Forget to Juice Fresh
Wherever possible, squeeze your own Fresh Lemon Juice. This will really make a difference if you want to drink to reach bar-level standards.

A Cold Drink Needs a Cold Glass
Rico often shares that mixing an ice-cold cocktail is similar to cooking – “Never put hot food on a cold plate, and you should never put a cold drink in a hot glass”. Keep your glass(es) in a freezer.

Experiment with Different Honey and Gin Types
You can make this drink using your favorite Honey. But keep in mind that the type of honey you choose – whether it’s light or dark – will transform and change the drink quite dramatically. For example, you could experiment with Floral Honey for a delicate sweetness or Buckwheat Honey for a richer depth. 

Same thing with your choice of Gin – you could use a citrus-forward Gin like Beefeater Zesty Lemon (Lemon-Flavored Gin) for a zesty kick or a botanical-heavy gin for a more complex profile

Knee’s Bees
Named by Rico, created by Rico. While making a classic Bee’s Knees for the ‘Absolut Drinks with Rico’ series, Rico answers the all-important question, will it work with vodka? Yes, it will! But what does it taste like? Let’s ask Rico: “You no longer have the floral notes from the Gin, but the Orange notes from the zest, the Lemon, and the good quality Honey that we used has made a very, very elegant drink, perfect for any time of the year”. Looking for Bee’s Knees with Vodka? Check out Rico’s Knee’s Bees recipe.

Add Orange Juice
Although the classic recipe is as shown above, some later recipes suggest adding a small amount of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice. Together with the Orange Peel garnish, you’re obviously going to get a lot more citrus in your drink, with the sweetness of the Orange Juice pairing well with the tartness of the Lemon Juice.

Although Rico’s version doesn’t have a garnish, some people suggest garnishing with a Lemon Peel. Others suggest a sprig of Basil or Thyme instead of Lemon Peel.

With or without garnish, the Bee’s Knees is best served in a chilled Coupe Cocktail Glass. A chilled glass enhances the drinking experience with its elegant shape, allowing you to savor the aromas and flavors with every loving sip.