description Bee's Knees Overview
The Bee's Knees is a Prohibition-era cocktail consisting of gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup, shaken and served in a chilled cocktail glass. The honey was originally used to mask the harsh taste of bathtub gin during Prohibition, when quality ingredients were scarce. The cocktail's name references a popular 1920s slang expression meaning 'the best,' and it has experienced a revival in the modern craft cocktail movement alongside other classic gin-based drinks.
help Bee's Knees FAQ
What is the standard recipe for a Bee's Knees cocktail?
The classic build combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup, commonly around 2 ounces of gin with 3/4 ounce each of lemon and syrup. It is shaken with ice and usually strained into a chilled coupe.
Why is honey syrup used instead of straight honey?
Straight honey does not dissolve reliably in a cold shaker. Mixing honey with warm water first produces a syrup that blends evenly with the gin and lemon.
Did the Bee's Knees originate during Prohibition?
It is associated with the Prohibition era, although its exact origin is debated. Bartender Frank Meier included the drink in his 1936 book The Artistry of Mixing Drinks.
How is a Bee's Knees different from a Gin Sour or French 75?
A Bee's Knees is essentially a gin sour sweetened with honey instead of simple syrup. A French 75 adds sparkling wine, giving it carbonation and a drier, more celebratory profile.
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