Bee's Knees
Prohibition-era gin, lemon, and honey shaken into a bright, velvety sour whose sweetness once softened rough bathtub gin.
25%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
coupe
Glass
History & Heritage
“Credited either to Paris Ritz bartender Frank Meier or to socialite Molly Brown, the Bee's Knees emerged in the 1920s when honey and lemon tempered the bite of illicit gin. Its name comes from flapper-era slang for something outstanding. Though it faded mid-century, the craft cocktail revival restored this simple three-ingredient sour to prominence as bartenders embraced classic recipes and artisanal honeys.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass
Combine gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice
Shake hard for 15 seconds until frosty
Double-strain into the chilled glass
Express and garnish with a lemon twist
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe glass
Garnish
Express oils and drop in
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Warm honey gently with water to make a smooth syrup
Use fresh lemon juice and a vigorous shake for proper texture
Experiment with different honeys to tweak flavor
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
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Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Bee's Knees.
Lavender Bee's Knees
Infuses the honey syrup with dried lavender for floral depth.
Changes
Grapefruit Bee's Knees
Swaps lemon for grapefruit juice for a slightly bittersweet twist.
Changes
Gold Rush
Replaces gin with bourbon for a whiskey-honey sour.
Changes
Bee Sting
Tequila and jalapeño-honey syrup bring heat to the classic template.
Changes
Bee's Knees Royale
Top the shaken cocktail with a splash of sparkling wine for a celebratory twist.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Gold Rush
Bourbon, honey, and lemon. A honey-sweetened whiskey sour that's become a modern classic.
Aviation
Hugo Ensslin's sky-hued gin sour of gin, maraschino and crème de violette—lost for decades until the cocktail renaissance brought it soaring back.
Bramble
Dick Bradsell's 1980s London creation layers dry gin, fresh citrus and rich blackberry liqueur over a mound of crushed ice for a tart, jammy refresher.