Bee’s Knees Cocktail Recipe: A Classic Gin Drink with Fresh Citrus and Honey

Simple, bright and sweet in all the right ways, the Bee’s Knees cocktail is a Prohibition-era gem that’s made a big comeback among craft cocktail lovers. It’s one of those timeless drinks that feels fancy yet easy to mix at home. With just three core ingredients—gin, honey and fresh lemon juice—the Bee’s Knees proves that you don’t need much to create something special.

This cocktail got its quirky name in the 1920s when the phrase “bee’s knees” meant something outstanding or the best of the best. True to its name, this drink has a delicate balance of floral gin, tart lemon and smooth honey that works perfectly any time you want something refreshing with a touch of old-school charm.

If you’re new to gin cocktails or just want a break from sugar-heavy drinks, the Bee’s Knees is an excellent go-to. Let’s break down how to make it, why it works so well and a few twists to try when you want to put your own spin on it.

Why the Bee’s Knees Is a Classic

The Bee’s Knees was created during Prohibition when bartenders often used honey and citrus to mask the harsh flavors of bootleg gin. Over time, it stuck around not because it had to but because it’s delicious. Honey adds a natural sweetness that’s softer and rounder than plain sugar syrup, while lemon brings crisp acidity that makes each sip refreshing.

The drink is perfect for spring and summer but tastes just as good on a chilly evening when you want something bright to lift your mood.

Ingredients for a Bee’s Knees Cocktail

A classic Bee’s Knees cocktail keeps it simple:

2 ounces gin (a floral or citrus-forward gin works well)
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce honey syrup (see below)
Ice
Lemon twist for garnish

How to Make Honey Syrup

Honey is thicker than regular simple syrup, so it needs to be thinned to mix well into a cold drink. Honey syrup is easy:

Combine equal parts honey and hot water (for example, ½ cup honey and ½ cup hot water).
Stir until the honey dissolves completely.
Let it cool and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week.

How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail

Step 1: Chill Your Glass

A Bee’s Knees is best served cold in a coupe or martini glass. Chill your glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink.

Step 2: Shake the Ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, fresh lemon juice and honey syrup. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds. Shaking chills the drink and mixes the honey syrup evenly.

Step 3: Strain and Garnish

Discard the ice water from your glass if you used it. Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass using a fine strainer. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist or a thin lemon wheel on the rim.

Tips for a Perfect Bee’s Knees

Always use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice won’t have the same brightness or zing.
Adjust the honey syrup to taste. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more.
Use good-quality gin. A citrusy gin like Bombay Sapphire or a floral gin like Hendrick’s works well.
Chill your glass for an extra crisp finish.

Flavor Variations to Try

One of the best things about the Bee’s Knees is how easily it can be customized:

Add herbs: Muddle fresh thyme, basil or rosemary in the shaker for a garden-fresh twist.
Try different honey: Experiment with local honeys—orange blossom, lavender or wildflower can subtly change the flavor.
Switch the citrus: Swap lemon for fresh lime juice for a tangier version.
Make it bubbly: Top the finished drink with a splash of sparkling water or Champagne for a sparkling Bee’s Knees.

When to Serve a Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees is a perfect brunch cocktail, especially when you want something more refined than a mimosa. It’s also great for summer garden parties, wedding showers or just a relaxing evening on the patio.

Because it’s light yet flavorful, it pairs nicely with fresh appetizers like goat cheese crostini, smoked salmon or charcuterie boards.

History in Every Sip

The Bee’s Knees is more than a tasty gin cocktail—it’s a little sip of history. During Prohibition, Americans got creative with their drinks, and many recipes from that time have faded away. But this one stuck because it’s simple, balanced and adaptable.

Bartenders today love it because it highlights gin’s botanicals without overwhelming them. The honey rounds out the edges that plain sugar sometimes sharpens, while lemon keeps everything crisp and clean.

Final Sip

If you love cocktails that feel timeless, the Bee’s Knees is one to master. With just gin, lemon and honey syrup, you can mix a drink that’s bright, refreshing and worthy of any special moment.

Next time you want something classic yet easy to make, shake up a Bee’s Knees and see why this sweet, citrusy cocktail is still the bee’s knees nearly a century later. Grab your favorite gin, fresh lemons and a little honey—and you’re just a few shakes away from a drink that never goes out of style.