The Bee's Knees cocktail is one of the classic cocktails of the Prohibition era in America. Between 1920 and 1933, the production and sale of alcohol was prohibited in America. However, this prohibition did not completely stop people from drinking; on the contrary, it led to the emergence of speakeasies, or speakeasy bars.
Many gins used at the time were quite strong and of poor quality. Bartenders started using aromatic ingredients such as honey, lemon and sugar to disguise the harsh taste. Bee's Knees is one of the clever recipes that emerged during this period. The natural sweetness of honey and the fresh acidity of lemon softened the harsh character of the gin.
“Sometimes the most beautiful things are born from the simplest mixtures of life”
The name of the cocktail comes from a popular slang expression of the time. In the 1920s, the expression "bee's knees" meant "great", "perfect" or "the best". This is why the name of the cocktail actually means something like "the best".
Over time, the Bee's Knees cocktail took its place among the classic sour-style drinks. Today, it has become popular again in modern cocktail bars and is considered one of the beloved classics for its simple yet balanced structure.
Thanks to the natural aroma of honey and the fresh touch of lemon, Bee's Knees stands out among gin-based cocktails as an elegant and easy-drinking option.
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Ingredients
Unit System
50 mlGin
25 mlfresh lemon juice
20 mlHoney Syrup (honey syrup - a mixture of honey and water)
SomeIce
Lemonpeel
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Method
1
Add lots of ice into the shaker.
2
Add gin, fresh lemon juice and honey syrup.
3
Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
4
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
5
Garnish with a lemon peel and serve.
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Bartender Tips
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Make honey syrup - Mixing honey with equal parts hot water to make honey syrup makes it easier to mix in a cocktail.
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Use fresh lemon - Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes the cocktail fresh and balanced.
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Choose a balanced gin - A balanced gin that is not too intensely flavored makes the taste of the cocktail more harmonious.
Vesper is a powerful and sophisticated classic cocktail made with gin, vodka and aromatic aperitif wine. It is considered one of the most iconic cocktails of the Martini family thanks to its clean, crisp and balanced character.
Monkey Gland is a classic cocktail that combines the fresh citrus character of gin and orange juice with the slightly sweet touch of grenadine. A few drops of absinthe give the drink a slightly herbal depth. It is as memorable in the cocktail world for its interesting story as for its name.
