Bees Knees Cocktail Recipe (with Variations)

Gin, lemon juice, orange juice & honey simple syrup combine in this delicious Bee’s Knees cocktail. Served straight up in a martini glass.

Looking for more ways to use up that bottle of gin? Be sure to try my Aviation Cocktail Recipe, French 75 Cocktail Recipe and Gin and Tonic Recipe with 3 ways to customize it.

Lately, I have been noticing lots of cocktails featuring honey popping up on bar menus around town. Most feature some type of citrus along with the honey and are served straight up. Perhaps bartenders are taking a cue from the Hot Toddy – A classic wintertime drink consisting of whiskey, hot water, honey and lemon and believed to cure colds.

It does make sense though. Honey is a sweetener and can function in any cocktail much like a simple syrup would. As the base for this Bees Knees Drink, I’m making a honey simple syrup.

The reason we’re turning the honey into a syrup is so that it won’t clump up when you add it to your cocktail. Instead, it will incorporate nicely and lightly sweeten your drink.

Bee’s Knees cocktail history

According to Gin Foundry:

The Bee’s Knees is thought to have emerged during Prohibition era America, when bathtub gin was all the rage. Adding spoonfuls of honey to such bitter alcohol certainly would have helped to mask the harshness, and when mixed with the lemon would create a more appetizing and sweet concoction.

– The Gin Foundry

Ingredients needed

• Honey Simple Syrup – See info on how to make it below. Or, check out this full post on how to make it.
• Gin – Not a gin fan? You can also make this cocktail with vodka. Learn all about the differences between gin vs. vodka here.
• Orange Juice & Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed is best here!

How to make it

• First, make a honey simple syrup by combining equal parts honey and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until well blended.
• Combine honey simple syrup, gin, lemon juice and orange juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a lemon wheel.
• Enjoy! 

Bee’s Knees cocktail variations

• If you’re not a fan of gin, you could also use vodka or bourbon in this cocktail. Learn all about the differences between gin vs. vodka here.
• Want a sweeter cocktail? Simply add more honey simple syrup.
• Don’t want to make the honey simple syrup? Take a shortcut by substituting plain simple syrup, maple syrup or agave.
• Add a hint of floral by adding in a splash of St. Germain.
• Make a lavender bees knees by infusing your simple syrup with lavender.
• If you divide your cocktail between two champagne flutes and top it with sparkling wine, you’ve essentially got a French 75 cocktail.
• For a drink that’s not as strong, simply add a splash of soda or tonic water and serve it over ice.

Recipe FAQs

How long does honey simple syrup last?

• This honey syrup will last, stored in the refrigerator, for up to one month.

What gin is best for a bees knees?

• Use your favorite dry gin in this recipe. Some great options are Beefeater, Hendricks, Tanqueray and Aviation.

More cocktail recipes

• Vanilla Bean & Fig Cocktail
• Aperol Spritz
• Aviation Gin Fizz
• Paloma Cocktail with Honey Simple Syrup
• Blackberry Moscow Mule with Elderflower
• Harvest Moon Applejack Cocktail
• More → 15+ Honey Cocktail Recipes
• More → 25+ Gin Cocktails

Did you try this bee’s knees cocktail recipe?

If you loved this honey martini I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

Bee’s Knees Cocktail

Gin, lemon juice and honey combine in this delicious Bees Knees cocktail. Served straight up in a martini glass. 

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 cocktail

Created by Platings and Pairings

1x2x3x

Ingredients

Honey Simple Syrup

• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup water

Bees Knees Cocktail

• 2 ounces honey simple syrup
• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

Honey Simple Syrup

• Combine water and honey in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring often, until the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Cocktail

• Combine 2 ounces of the honey simple syrup, gin, lemon juice and orange juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
• Strain into a small chilled cocktail glass and serve.
• Reserve remaining honey simple syrup for more cocktails.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 103mg | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 28.6mg | Iron: 2mg

This recipe was originally published in 2015. It was updated in 2019 to add new photographs and update the content. The original lemon honey cocktail recipe remains the same. Enjoy! 

Watch the web story here.