Knee’s Bees
Average
Sour & Sweet
5 Minutes
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
Created by Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, The Knee’s Bees is a riff on the Gin-based classic The Bee’s Knees but uses Vodka instead, together with Lemon, and Honey to offer a hive of flavor perfect for sipping any time of year.
Like the original, it’s a shaken and chilled drink…and it’s delicious. So, if you’re looking for a fun variation for The Bee’s Knees, you gotta try The Knee’s Bees.
How To Make THE KNEE’S BEES Cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Boston Shaker
Jigger
Bar Spoon
Fine Strainer
Citrus Press
Knife
Jug
Hawthorne Strainer
How to Mix
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Measure 3 parts Honey and pour it into a Measuring Jug.
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Boil Water using a normal house-hold Kettle.
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Add 1 part Boiling Water into the Measuring Jug with the Honey.
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Stir gently with a Bar Spoon until the Honey loosens and becomes easier to pour. Place the Honey Syrup to one side.
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Squeeze Fresh Lemon Juice into a Glass Jug using a Citrus Elbow.
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Pour the Honey Syrup into the Glass Jug.
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Grab your Cocktail Shaker and pour in the Lemon Juice, followed by Honey Syrup.
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Measure and pour Vodka into the Cocktail Shaker.
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Fill the shaker with Ice Cubes and then shake vigorously until ice-cold.
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Strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass using a Hawthorne Strainer and Fine Strainer.
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Take a Paring Knife and thinly slice a few strips of Orange Peel.
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Squeeze the Orange Peel over your Glass.
Watch Rico make the Knee’s Bees – a vodka version of the Bee's Knees cocktail!
All about the Knee's Bees cocktail
The Knee’s Bees is a vodka twist on the classic gin cocktail, the Bee’s Knees.
“Very good. You no longer have the floral notes from the gin but those orange notes coming from the zest, the lemon and the good quality honey we’ve used has made a very, very elegant drink,” says Rico.
In 2024, while making a classic Bee’s Knees cocktail for the YouTube series, Absolut Drinks with Rico, Rico decided to substitute the gin for vodka to answer the question if the drink would work with vodka. And it did! In turn, Rico created The Knee’s Bees. The rest you can say is history!
- Always Use Fresh Lemon Juice
If you want your drink to match the high quality you’d find in a bar, only fresh juice will do. Wherever possible, squeeze your own fresh juice. After all, you want your drink to taste as fresh and as best as possible. - Serve in a Chilled Glass
As Rico shares, you should “Never put hot food on a cold plate, and you should never put a cold drink in a hot glass”. Do as Rico suggests and place your glass(es) in a freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Bee’s Knees
Gotta give credit where credit is due. The Knee’s Bees is a Vodka twist on the classic Bee’s Knees. With this classic version, you get all the lovely floral notes from the Gin that combine wonderfully with the Lemon and Honey. It’s a classic for a reason! Mmm, mmm! Discover how to make a classic Bee’s Knees. - Experiment with honey
Make the drink your own by using your favorite Honey. The type of honey you choose will change the drink quite dramatically. Mix it up and see what Honey you like best.
- The Knee’s Bees should be served in a chilled and elegant Coupe Cocktail Glass.
- Garnish The Knee’s Bees with fresh Orange Zest. Simply slice a few strips of Orange Peel and squeeze the peel over your freshly poured cocktail.
Those orange notes coming from the zest, the lemon and the good quality honey we've used has made for a very, very elegant drink.
Bartender and Global Brand Ambassador
Knee's Bees FAQ
Yes, and what you’ll end up with is the classic Bee’s Knees, which was the inspiration for the Knee’s Bees! So, you will have gone full circle!
