About the Bee's Knees
History
The Bee's Knees is often credited to the Prohibition era, when honey and citrus were used to mask the harsh flavors of bathtub gin. The drink's name derives from 1920s slang meaning "the best." Some sources associate it with Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender at the Ritz Paris, though documentation is sparse. The cocktail fell into obscurity after Prohibition ended, as drinkers gained access to higher-quality spirits that required less masking. It experienced a revival during the craft cocktail renaissance of the early 2000s, when bartenders rediscovered pre-Prohibition recipes and adapted them for modern palates using quality ingredients.
Technique
The Bee's Knees requires shaking, not stirring, due to the honey syrup's viscosity and the need to integrate citrus juice. Vigorous shaking with ice cubes emulsifies the honey, aerates the mixture, and provides proper dilution to balance the sweetness and acidity. Shake for twelve to fifteen seconds until the shaker frosts over. The drink is typically double-strained through a fine-mesh strainer into a chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass to remove ice shards and any undissolved honey particles. Some bartenders prefer a dry shake first to ensure complete honey integration before adding ice.
Ingredient notes
London Dry gins like Beefeater or Tanqueray provide the traditional juniper-forward backbone that stands up to honey and lemon. New Western-style gins with softer juniper profiles can work but may produce a less structured drink. Honey syrup at a two-to-one ratio (honey to water) dissolves more readily than raw honey while maintaining viscosity and flavor. The honey variety matters: clover and wildflower honeys offer mild sweetness, while buckwheat or chestnut honeys introduce robust, earthy notes. Fresh lemon juice is essential; bottled juice lacks the bright acidity needed to balance the honey's weight.
Variations
The Bee's Knees has inspired several named variations. The Bees Knees Royale adds champagne as a topper, creating a longer, more celebratory drink. Some recipes substitute orange juice for lemon, producing a sweeter, less tart profile. The Brown Derby uses bourbon instead of gin with grapefruit juice, sharing the honey-citrus template but diverging significantly in character. Bartenders sometimes split the base between gin and elderflower liqueur, or add herbs like thyme or lavender to the honey syrup. Adjusting the ratio to equal parts citrus and honey creates a sweeter cocktail that some prefer.
When to serve & pairings
The Bee's Knees works well as a pre-dinner aperitif, with enough acidity to stimulate appetite without overwhelming the palate. It pairs effectively with light appetizers like goat cheese crostini, smoked salmon, or oysters. The honey's floral notes complement spring and summer menus, though the drink functions year-round. Brunch service suits the cocktail's bright, approachable profile. The coupe glass presentation keeps the drink cold while showcasing its pale yellow color. Consider serving alongside Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dishes where honey and lemon appear as culinary elements, creating flavor continuity between food and drink.