Bee's Knees

classic #cocktail #gin #honey #lemon #prohibition

Spec

  • 2 oz Gin (London Dry)
  • 0.75 oz Lemon juice (fresh)
  • 0.75 oz Honey syrup (3:1 honey to hot water)
  • Lemon twist

Build

Shake all ingredients with ice for 12 seconds (honey syrup needs the shake to integrate). Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Express lemon twist and drop in.

Story

Prohibition-era, 1920s. Honey covered up the burn of bathtub gin. The name comes from 1920s slang for excellence — 'the bee's knees.'

Service note

Coupe, no ice. Honey syrup must be properly thinned — straight honey will not integrate.

Tasting notes

Bright, floral-sweet, balanced. Should taste of honey, not be cloying.

Costing

  • Pour cost: $2.45
  • Menu price: $16
  • Margin: 85%

Costing is directional. Confirm against current beverage grid when invoices update.