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Bee's Knees

A smooth Prohibition era gin sour sweetened with floral honey.

Base spirit
Gin
Style
Sour
Glassware
Coupe
Technique
Shake

The Bee’s Knees replaces sugar with honey syrup in a gin sour, adding floral depth and richer texture. Shaken with lemon, it pours softly opaque with lifted citrus aroma. Light honey varieties keep balance. Prohibition-era slang and early recipes link the drink to the period’s expression for “the best,” and modern revival came through craft bartenders rediscovering honey cocktails.

A coupe of Bee's Knees with a pale golden hue and a lemon twist.

Ingredients

Servings

Did you know?

“Wondrich links the Bee’s Knees to Prohibition honey drinks revived by craft bartenders.”

Source:Wondrich Imbibe!; PunchDrink archives

Bartender's Note

Use a 2:1 honey syrup so it integrates smoothly.

Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.

How to make the Bee's Knees

  1. 1Add gin, lemon juice, and 2:1 honey syrup to a shaker filled with ice
  2. 2Shake until well chilled
  3. 3Strain into a coupe
  4. 4Garnish with lemon twist and serve

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