Bee’s Knees
Article & Photos by: allie albanese
Empress Gin adds a unique flavor, a touch of color, and extra pizzazz to this classic Bee’s Knees cocktail recipe.
It’s been a while since I’ve whipped up a classic cocktail, so given that it’s a cold and grey Hump Day here in Georgia, I decided to cheer things up with a simple and delicious Bee’s Knees cocktail!
Created by Austrian-born Frank Meier, this classic, Prohibition-era tipple got its name from the phrase “bee’s knees,” which was popular slang at the time to describe something outstanding. Quite the fitting name if you ask me given that I love Gin and Gin is front and center in this drink! (And for the record, “the bee’s knees” is also a phrase we still use here in the south.)
Made with only three ingredients, the Bee’s Knees is a lovely combination of sweetness and acidity, the honey syrup giving it a bit more richness than your traditional simple syrup (which some say was purposefully used to help mask the harsh flavor of the Bathtub Gin being used at the time!). Given that this is a super simple drink to make, it’s perfect for large groups or for parties. Or for any day of the year that you need a touch of cheer!
You can use any kind of Gin in this, too! For a more juniper-forward drink, go with a classic London dry, and for a more honey and lemon-forward drink, go with one that’s more floral or citrusy. Today, I wanted something extra cheerful, so I used Empress 1908 to give it that glorious purple hue.
A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she seeks to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.
As the Beverage Director and Bar Manager of a high-volume cocktail bar, Allie spent years honing her mixology skills and learning about the fascinating world of drinks. In the time since, she’s worked as a wine and cocktail consultant for both private and corporate clients, as well as a freelance journalist writing about cocktails, wine, food, and travel for various publications across the United States and abroad.
When mixing a drink for herself, you’ll likely find Allie with a fresh Gin Gimlet or a spicy Old Fashioned in hand!
Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.
Bee’s Knees
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 Drink
Description
Empress Gin adds a unique flavor, a touch of color, and extra pizzazz to this classic Bee’s Knees cocktail recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- ¾ oz Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Honey Syrup
- Garnish: Lemon Twist
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
- To make the honey syrup, add equal parts honey and water to a saucepan and heat until the honey dissolves.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Drink
- Cuisine: Cocktails
Hi Friends, I’m Allie!
I’m an Italian-German-Southerner with a deep passion for food, drinks & travel. After 15 years in NYC as a Certified Sommelier & cocktail creator, plus a stint in New Zealand learning how to make wine, I’m now back home in Georgia where I blend my love for culinary arts & travel into my work as a writer & photographer. Thank you so much for joining me here at Parched where I look forward to exploring the world together one bite, sip & adventure at a time!
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The color of this drink is so beautiful! Love Empress Gin 🙂
I love Empress Gin, too! It’s both tasty and pretty, which is a perfect combination in my book! 😁