The Bee’s Knees Cocktail Recipe

The Bee’s Knees is a classic cocktail with a fun, flirty name and a delightfully sweet-tart flavor. This Prohibition-era gin-based drink has been a bartender and cocktail enthusiast favorite for decades, and for good reason.

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With just a few simple ingredients, the Bee’s Knees delivers a perfectly balanced sip that’s equal parts sophisticated and easy-drinking. It’s definitely a must-try classic cocktail.

What’s Special About This Cocktail

The honey syrup is what really sets the Bee’s Knees apart. Instead of using regular sugar syrup, the honey adds a rich, smooth sweetness with floral and slightly earthy notes.

This works beautifully with the tartness of fresh lemon juice and the herbal, piney flavors of gin. That contrast makes every sip interesting and enjoyable.

Plus, it’s from the Prohibition era, when bartenders had to get creative to mask harsh, low-quality gin with natural ingredients. The honey helped tame the rough edges of bootleg spirits while giving the drink a cozy, comforting quality.

So, this cocktail carries a bit of that rebellious, clever spirit from a fascinating time in drinking history. And today, the Bee’s Knees is considered a quintessential example of a “sour” style cocktail – a family of drinks that also includes the whiskey sour, daiquiri, and margarita.

With its easy-to-remember recipe and crowd-pleasing taste, it’s easy to see why this vintage tipple has stood the test of time.

Tasting Notes

This drink is both sweet and tart, with the juniper-forward notes of the gin providing a savory backbone. On the nose, you’ll get bright, zesty lemon aromas mingling with the floral sweetness of the honey syrup.

The first sip delivers a refreshing burst of lemon that’s quickly tempered by the rich honey syrup. As you swallow, the gin’s herbaceous botanicals emerge, adding complexity and a slightly drying finish that leaves you craving another sip.

What You’ll Need

Let’s take a closer look at the three key ingredients that come together to create the Bee’s Knees:

Gin: As the base spirit, gin gives the Bee’s Knees its distinctive botanical flavor profile. Choose a London dry style gin like Tanqueray or Bombay because their juniper-forward character pairs beautifully with the lemon and honey.

That said, feel free to experiment with different gin styles to create your own unique twist on the classic. For example, using a more citrus-forward gin like Roku or Hendrick’s can enhance the lemon notes, while an aromatic gin with floral botanicals like Monkey Shoulder can amplify the honey flavors.

Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is an essential component, adding the bright, tart acidity that counters the sweetness of the honey. Be sure to use freshly squeezed juice for a much more vibrant, authentic flavor than bottled juice.

Honey Syrup: To sweeten the Bee’s Knees, a simple honey syrup is used in place of traditional simple syrup. This gives the cocktail a rich, viscous texture and a complex, floral sweetness that complements the gin and lemon perfectly.

To make the honey syrup, simply combine equal parts honey and hot water, stir until the honey is fully dissolved, then let the mixture cool completely before using. Any leftover syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Serving Tips

This is an easy going cocktail that can be enjoyed in a variety of settings and occasions. Here are a few tips for serving it up right:

Glassware: The classic Bee’s Knees is typically served in a chilled coupe or martini glass. The slim, stemmed profile of these glasses helps showcase the cocktail’s vibrant color and elegant presentation.

Garnish: A simple lemon twist is the traditional garnish for a Bee’s Knees. The bright citrus aroma and oily peel help accentuate the lemon notes in the drink. You can also try a rosemary sprig or a few suspended edible flowers for a more elevated look.

Temperature: Be sure to shake the Bee’s Knees vigorously with plenty of ice to ensure it’s well-chilled before serving. This helps the flavors pop and the texture stay light and refreshing.

Occasion: The Bee’s Knees is a wonderfully versatile cocktail that works for all sorts of occasions. It makes a lovely aperitif to whet the appetite before a meal, or a sophisticated after-dinner sipper. It’s also a great option for cocktail parties, happy hours, or any time you want to sip on something a little bit special.

No matter when or how you choose to enjoy a Bee’s Knees, the most important thing is to savor every sip and let the classic flavors transport you back to the glamour and excitement of the Roaring 20s.

Variations and Twists

This simple recipe is easy to customize, so you can put your own spin on it at home. Bars sometimes offer riff versions on their menus—think lavender honey syrup or smoked honey, or even swapping in mezcal for gin for a smoky twist.

Here are a few more ideas to try:

Different Citrus

Most recipes use only lemon juice, but you can swap in or add other citrus fruits. Try using orange juice for a slightly sweeter, less tart flavor, or add a splash of grapefruit juice for extra tang.

Blood orange also works well and gives the drink a rosy color.

Herb-Infused Honey Syrup

For a herbal kick, infuse your honey syrup with fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme, or basil make good choices.

Just add a sprig or two to the honey and hot water mixture while it cools, then strain before using. The result is a more complex cocktail with a subtle herbal note.

Spiced Honey Syrup

If you want to warm things up, try adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, clove, or ginger to your honey syrup while it’s dissolving. This adds a gentle warmth that works especially well in cooler weather.

Make It Non-Alcoholic

You can easily make a non-alcoholic (or “mocktail”) version of the Bee’s Knees. Just swap out the gin for an alcohol-free spirit, or use club soda or tonic water instead. The honey and lemon combo still shines through, making for a refreshing drink.

Play With Gin Styles

There’s a world of gin out there—each with its own unique flavors. Try using local craft gins, barrel-aged gins, or gins with strong floral or citrus notes. Each one will give your Bee’s Knees a slightly different personality.

Making It For a Crowd

Yes! Multiply the ingredient amounts by the number of servings you want. Mix everything (except ice) in a large pitcher and keep chilled until ready to serve. When guests arrive, pour into shakers with ice and strain into glasses for each guest.

Related Cocktails to Try

If you’re a fan of the Bee’s Knees, here are a few other classic cocktails you might want to explore:

French 75 is a sparkling cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne or sparkling wine. It’s light, bubbly, and perfect for celebrations.

Tom Collins: Another gin and citrus cocktail, made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Served over ice in a tall glass, it’s super refreshing and great for hot days.

Gin Sour: Very close to the Bee’s Knees but uses sugar or simple syrup as the sweetener instead of honey. It’s just gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Sometimes an egg white is added to give it a silky texture and foamy top.

Last Word: This Prohibition-era cocktail uses gin, lime juice, green Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur. It’s bright, herbal, and a bit more complex than the Bee’s Knees, but still has that tart, citrusy profile.

Aviation: A classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette. It’s floral and slightly sweet-tart with a pale purple color. If you like floral notes in your drinks, this one’s worth a try.

Corpse Reviver No. 2: This is a balanced mix of gin, Cointreau (or triple sec), Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe. It’s citrusy and slightly herbal—a good choice for brunch or as a palate cleanser.

All these cocktails highlight the versatility of gin and how well it mixes with citrus and different sweeteners. If you enjoy the Bee’s Knees, exploring these related drinks can introduce you to new flavors while keeping things familiar and easy to enjoy.

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