When life gives you lemons… make a cocktail. How about that? My friends and I have been sending each other instructional videos on how to make our favorite cocktails for happy hour.
I’ll never be a gin and tonic girl, but I’ve been enjoying gin-based drinks as the weather warms up. Gin plays nicely with citrus and fresh herbs, so it seems just right for this time of year.
The Bee’s Knees is a classic Prohibition-era cocktail made with gin, lemon and honey. It’s brightly flavored, lightly sweet, and just an overall delightful drink—hence the name.
Enjoy one at home on a nice spring day. It tastes even better on a patio or balcony, if you have one. Cheers!
Why make honey simple syrup?
Honey doesn’t mix into cold liquids well. It tends to clump and cause problems. To remedy that, we make honey simple syrup from equal parts honey and water. The syrup mixes easily into cold cocktails.
To make honey simple syrup, simply warm the two together in the microwave or on the stovetop until you can easily whisk them together. That’s it! Leftover honey syrup will keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two weeks.
Gin Considerations
You can use classic dry gin for this cocktail (such as Beefeater’s). For a more mellow, less juniper-y drink, try Hendrick’s, which has notes of cucumber and rose.
I used Rieger’s Dry Gin, which is distilled here in Kansas City. The Rieger distillery is manufacturing tons of hand sanitizer right now, so I’m featuring their beautiful product as my own little thank you.
Bee’s Knees Variations
- If you divide one drink between two Champagne glasses and fill the rest with bubbly, you’ll find yourself with a French 75.
- If you want more of a casual, long sipper, pour the ingredients over ice and top it off with club soda (essentially a Tom Collins).
- For a fun floral drink, replace the honey syrup with St. Germain, an elderflower liqueur.
- For a sweeter drink, simply stir in more honey syrup, to taste.
- If you don’t like gin, this cocktail would work with vodka, too.
Please let me know how your cocktail turns out in the comments! Looking for more fun cocktails? Try one of these:
Love gin? View all of my gin recipes. Hate gin? View more cocktail recipes here.
Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Author:
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
The bee’s knees is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon and honey! This recipe is strong, refreshing and delicious. Recipe yields 1 cocktail; you can multiply the ingredients and make up to 3 cocktails at once in a standard cocktail shaker.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce honey syrup (see step 1)
- 1 ounce lemon juice (about ½ medium lemon)
- 2 ounces gin
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- To make the honey syrup: Combine equal parts honey and water (say, 2 tablespoons each if you’re only making a few cocktails) in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan. Warm in the microwave or over the stovetop just until you can completely stir the honey into the water. Set aside.
- Before juicing your lemons, use a vegetable peeler or channel knife to peel off a strip(s) of zest for your twist.
- To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the honey syrup, lemon juice and gin. Securely fasten the lid and shake until the mixture is very cold, about 30 seconds.
- Strain the drink into a coupe or martini glass. Twist the lemon peel over the cocktail to release some of its oils, then drop it in. Enjoy while cold.
Notes
Measurement tips: I love to use this measuring jigger (affiliate link) for measuring cocktails. You can use standard measuring cups and spoons, though. Two ounces is ¼ cup, 1 ounce is 2 tablespoons, and ½ ounce is 1 tablespoon.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Nancy Pitts
I love this idea, will try it today. I have gin but no tonic so this is perfect. Love your recipes!
Kate
Be sure to let me know what you think, Nancy!
Nancy Pitts
It was delicious! I followed your recipe for the first batch and then on the second added some grated ginger and fresh mint from my garden. Both were great. This is my new favorite cocktail.
★★★★★
Caroline
I make a variation of this drink called a bee charmer – infuse gin with lavender then carry on with recipe -it’s delish
Kate
That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing, Caroline. I might just need to try that one out.
Elizabeth Williams
We’ve been making elderflower Collins over here, which is basically your recipe with St. Germain added. Amazing!
Kira
Love this post. Great photos as well. Where did these great black and white towels come from? Thanks for the post.
Kate
Hey Kira, thank you! I grabbed that napkin since it looks sort of like bee stripes. :) They don’t have a tag with a brand name on them, but I bought them several years ago at a store in Kansas City called Pryde’s. Another commenter once called the store and ordered through them. Hope that helps!
FK
Wow this sounded great. I made it but it was a bit too strong for me, so I added ginger ale. Fun to try something different. I love honey and lemon. Thank you.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m glad you tried it! I’m sorry it was a little too strong for you, but happy you were able to make it work.
Karen
This was the perfect happy hour cocktail today for our 80 degree temps in Scottsdale. Delicious!
★★★★★
Antoinette
What if I do not have honey or syrup?
we are in lockdown in SA? Want to make this tonight over a zoom meeting for a Bday. can I use brown treacle sugar?
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Antoinette! I’ve not used brown treacle sugar before, so I’m not sure how that would work. Perhaps a basic simple syrup would be your best bet, made with equal parts sugar and water. It won’t be quite as interesting in flavor, unfortunately. If you happen to have a liqueur like St. Germain, that would be great.
holly kiper
excellent! bright and fresh.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you think so, Holly!
Nora Fitzgerald
What a wonderfully refreshing cocktail! Easy to make, bright color, and tasty.
Kate
Thank you, Nora! I hope you get to enjoy it on a nice spring day.
Kati
I make this with a all natural lavender infused gin produced by a craft gin maker in Colorado Springs, CO– Lee Spirits. This drink and their many other infused gins are wonderful look them up!
★★★★★
Kate
Another reader commented something similar, looks like something I need to try!
Erin Mascelli
Love so many of your recipes!! This was a fun one for a weeknight cocktail!!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Erin!
Lotta
We made these today
Delicious
★★★★★
Marissa
Luckily had all the ingredients needed! So easy & deliciously yummy. I’m not a huge gin fan but I love lemon & honey, this was a great idea! I’ll be a gin fan now…
★★★★★
Grace
Hi, this looks lovely! Do you think it would work with pink gin? Its all I currently have at home right now
Kate
Hi Grace! I haven’t tried pink gin, but I think it would be nice here!
Regan
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I made this tonight. It was a fun end of the week cocktail to help brighten the week!
★★★★★
Andrea
This was my drink for last night’s “Zoom & cocktails” with friends! I used lemons from my lemon tree. Might try this with some Meyer lemons (also have a tree) next. Your recipes are helping me get through this situation. Thank you!!!
★★★★★
Linda
I really enjoy your weekly blog and am looking foreword to trying your Bee’s Knees cocktail. Do you have any good recipes for mocktails/non-alcoholic drinks?
Kate
Hi Linda, thank you! I have a couple. You might enjoy this “pink drink” or frozen mint lemonade!
Grace
I made this with Meyer lemon juice. (I have Meyer Lemon trees and freeze the juice in ice cube trays). I didn’t have gin so used vodka instead. It was delicious but I’ll try it with Hendricks as soon as I can get to the liquor store. I also like the idea of adding ginger and mint. Going to have to try several varieties!
★★★★★
Macy
Would it be an abomination to use maple syrup?! Alas, not enough honey and this sounding perfect for my afternoonz
Kate
Hey Macy! I haven’t tried, but I usually enjoy maple syrup in cocktail. Please report back!
Terri
This was great with vodka per your suggestion!
Terri
Awesome! Made with vodka per your suggestion!
★★★★★
Isabelle
This was amazing! So perfectly sweet
★★★★★
Shelby
We’ve been making these with tea infused gin! Just put a couple of tea bags (I’ve done earl grey or chamomile) in some gin and let it sit for a few hours.
Moira Jacobson
Kate: I love your recipes! Because of you and Love Real Food, my husband and I have been able to maintain our plant based diets for over a year.
So, do you have plans for another cook book soon?
Blessings,
Moira
Jeri
This was wonderfully delicious and refreshing for a 91 degree afternoon in Arizona on my back patio. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Jeri! I appreciate your review.
Hayley
Mixed together on a whim tonight instead of sneaking into my wine stash. Even though it was a cool spring night this cocktail was much appreciated!
★★★★★
Maria
Is that not the cutest dog ever !!! Goodness…..
Love Cookie….love Kate. Thank you for everything you share…….
Xoxo❤️Maria
★★★★★
Gabriele
Love this…..thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Monica
How long can the honey syrup keep? Does it have to be refrigerated?
Thanks!
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Monica! The syrup will keep longer in the fridge (up to two weeks or so) than at room temp.
Jenn
I was just checking my measurements and came across your post. I’m a cocktail blogger from Kansas City too! Small world. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. I’m mixing up a lavender Bee’s Knees tonight. Cheers!
Liz P.
There are no words for how much I love this — I might even love it too much! I have always been a huge whiskey sour fan, and I love gin, so this was right up my alley. I didn’t have any honey, so just did it with sugar simple syrup. So delicious! My favorite thing to do is make one (or two) around lunchtime, then pop them in the freezer. By cocktail hour, they are ice cold and a little slushy — YUM!
★★★★★
Angie Tytherleigh Thorpe
Tried this with grapefruit juice and mango honey so delicious! Can I still call it a bees knees?
Kate
That sounds delicious!
Maria
Love this drink and the recipe is perfect! It tastes exactly the Bee’s Knees cocktail I get in one of our favorite restaurants here in Orange County, California. Thanks!
★★★★★
Diana
I want to try your hemp Parmesan cheese but am wondering if the hemp seeds can be eaten whole. Don’t they need to be ground first.
Kate
Hi Diana! They are hemp seeds or hearts from the shell. If that makes sense? Let me know if you still have questions!
alex
Im allergic to honey, can i substitute it with agave syrup or something else?
Kate
Hi Alex! You could maybe try some maple syrup instead, but of course that wouldn’t be as authentic. I bet it would still be delicious!
Robin Boots
Hi Kate,
I made these Bees Knees cocktails with a lavender simple syrup (which I made for the purpose from lavender in my garden), honey, and lemon juice. I mixed those 3 ingredients with a small whisk until they were uniform. I used Tanqueray gin and shook with ice and strained. They were excellent and pretty in cobalt blue champagne glasses. The lavender flavor was lost, so I will make a lavender honey syrup in the future. My family liked these so much we have decided “A cocktail a day keeps boredom at bay.” We’ll be trying a different cocktail recipe each day. Thank you.
Robin Boots
★★★★★
Eric S
Excellent gin cocktail. Followed directions exactly using Beefeater 24. My wife liked it and that’s a good thing.. It’s a keeper for Bee’s Knees Week later in September. Thanks !
Annie M
This is my new favorite summer cocktail! It’s perfectly tart with a little sweet. Love it!
★★★★★
Nicholas Spagnuolo
Cheers for adding the variations that can be easily made!
Christina Abney
Delicious!!!!
★★★★★
Ian Renaud
Great recipe! Tried this tonight and was blown away.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Ian!
Natalie Jesski
Love love love! We made this perfect this evening to spritz our night up. We have such great local honey, a lemon tree and we added fresh rosemary stems (smacked of course to release the oils). We also wanted to say we just bought your cook book this past week, Love Real Food and have already enjoyed 3 recipes. Thank you so much. You are our #1 go to for all recipes!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing! I’m glad you are enjoying it.