A 1920’s classic straight from the hotel Ritz Paris. The Bee’s Knees is easy to make, bright, sweet and tangy – a cocktail worthy of its name!
Bee’s Knees Cocktails
What’s in a Bee’s Knees?
Ingredients:
- 50ml Penrhos London Dry Gin
- 25ml Lemon Juice
- 20ml Honey Syrup
How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Chill a cocktail glass
- Add ice into a shaker then the gin, lemon juice and honey syrup and shake well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
How to make honey syrup for a Bee’s Knees
50:50 mix of honey & hot water, dissolve and let cool, then add to cocktails.
Where does the Bee’s Knees come from?
During the 20’s in the countries where prohibition was enforced, there was a lot of bathtub gin and rough liquor made. Cocktails came about to try and mask the harsh taste of the poor-quality alcohol.
The Bee’s Knees is credited to the hotel Ritz Paris and its bartender during the Roaring 20’s Frank Meier, who was Austrian-born. Quite a character, Meier was a key member of the Resistance during World War II while working at the Ritz.
A rather fun story about the origin of the Bee’s Knees is Mrs JJ Brown of Denver and Paris, a survivor of the Titanic and known as ‘the unsinkable Molly Brown’ came up with the cocktail in a women’s only bar in Paris to hide a particularly strong gin. This was written in an article of the Standard Union in April 1929 but it’s acknowledged that Meier was the true creator.
Why is it called a Bee’s Knees?
It’s named after a common phrase in the 20’s, ‘It’s the Bee’s Knees’ meaning it’s excellent or the best.
Alternatives to the Classic Bee’s Knees
It’s been said that a good Bee’s Knees can convert a non-gin drinker to gin. This is a gateway cocktail to a long love affair with all the aromas and tasting notes of gins.
Chilli Bee’s Knees
Ingredients:
- 50ml Penrhos Rhubarb Gin
- 50ml Orange juice (fresh is best) freeze any leftovers for future garnishes
- 25ml Hot Honey Syrup (50:50 Mix of spicy honey and hot water)
How to make a Chilli Bee’s Knees:
Add all ingredients into your shaker, shake with ice and strain into your cocktail glass. Garnish with a small chilli or chilli flakes.
To make hot honey syrup: If you can’t find hot honey, chop up one chilli and infuse with the honey syrup. Leave to cool before creating the cocktail.
Apple & Elderflower Bee’s Knees
Ingredients:
- 50ml Penrhos Apple and Elderflower
- 25ml Lemon Juice
- 20ml Honey Syrup (50:50 mix of honey & hot water, dissolve and let cool to add to cocktails)
How to make an apple & elderflower Bee’s Knees:
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake well and strain into a cocktail glass for a refreshing tasty drink.
If you're inspired, why not try the classic Bee's Knees with our London Dry Gin
