This is a recipe from the book Contraband Cocktails by Paul Dickson. I’m going to try to get through all of these and write about them eventually. In order to do so I need to get my hand on some absinthe which is not cheap. When we set up a Patreon it’s the important things like that in which you’re supporting. Anyway, the link to all the recipes I have done in terms of Volstead Era cocktails is here.
The Bee’s Knees
The Bee’s Knees is dangerously good, I didn’t expect it to taste as good as it did. If you’re not a gin drinker, this is probably your gin drink since the honey is the star player. But gin drinkers don’t worry, this is basically straight gin with lemon juice and some honey.
Aside from the honey in the recipe, the drink gets its name from 1920s slang meaning it’s “the best” or “cool.” Other expressions for the best or cool from that time are “the cat’s pajamas,” “the flea’s eyebrows,” “the snakes hips,” and “the caterpillar’s spats.” (The rule is you have to say it in your best Rosalind Russell impersonation). The reason they named it this and not “the caterpillar’s spats” is because the honey simple syrup is the backbone that makes it the bee’s knees.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Gin
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz honey syrup*
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. If you must garnish
*To make honey simple syrup take ½ cup of water and a ½ cup of honey in a small saucepan and bring over medium heat to a slow simmer, whisking often. Once the honey is liquid and smooth remove from heat and let cool until it’s room temp. This measurement is good for about 4 drinks.
