Bee's Knees

The Bee's Knees is Prohibition's greatest gift to gin cocktails and proof that restrictions breed creativity. Created in the 1920s when bathtub gin needed masking, this simple cocktail combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup to create a sophisticated, approachable drink that's far better than its medicinal origins suggest. The name comes from Prohibition-era slang meaning "the best" or "the cat's meow." Served in a chilled coupe glass, the Bee's Knees represents Prohibition-era ingenuity, the craft cocktail revival, and the elegance of three-ingredient cocktails. The drink embodies 1920s slang, speakeasy culture, and the historical use of honey in cocktails. The Bee's Knees' honey sweetness, botanical gin, and citrus brightness create balanced, sophisticated drinking. The honey adds complexity that simple syrup cannot match, creating floral depth and silky texture. The cocktail demands quality ingredients: good gin (modern quality, not bathtub), fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup (honey dissolved in water for easy mixing). The drink represents Prohibition creativity, the revival of forgotten classics, and the power of simple ingredients. The Bee's Knees inspired the 2000s-2010s cocktail trend of using honey in drinks. Whether served at a speakeasy or modern cocktail bar, the Bee's Knees delivers honey-sweetened sophistication.