The story of The Bees Knees

With Summer fast approaching, we wanted to celebrate a Prohibition-era cocktail that to us, sums up the taste of Summer. The Bees Knees cocktail is made up of gin, fresh lemon juice and honey. Although it was invented, like so many Prohibition cocktails, as a way to hide the taste and smell of moonshine and bathtub gin, you can make The Bees Knees to suit your tastes, matching different gins (from the sweeter Old Tom to a more juniper-led gin) with different honeys (from Manukas to heather honeys to your favourite local variety). It’s name comes from Prohibition-era slang meaning ‘the best’ so you’ll be sure to enjoy. 

Variants of The Bees Knees

For a great twist, take a look at 'Bees teas', by Twisting Spirits to see how they make use of the Earl Grey flavouring in their gin.

You could always dilute the honey (if you want to make it slightly less sweet), add in a splash of orange juice to lengthen the drink, or use a basil leaf as a garnish, if you like a more aromatic finish.

Recommended products

Colonsay Gin

from Wild Thyme Spirits

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Dartmouth Gin

from Dartmouth Distillery Co.

£36.50

Hills And Harbour Gin

from Crafty Distillery

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