The Bee's Knees Cocktail: A Roaring Twenties Delight

1 Ratings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce honey syrup
• Garnish with a lemon wheel

Directions

• Shake all ingredients with ice.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Recognized by the International Bartenders Association as a popular cocktail recipe.

A Roaring Twenties Delight

The Bee's Knees cocktail, with its golden hue and zesty flavor, transports us to the Roaring Twenties—an era of flappers, jazz, and clandestine speakeasies. This classic libation, born during Prohibition, combines the simplicity of gin with the sweetness of honey and the tang of lemon. Let's delve into the history, intrigue, and timeless allure of the Bee's Knees.

The Mysterious Origins

The Bee's Knees cocktail is shrouded in mystery, with several intriguing stories surrounding its creation:

Frank Meier's Parisian Invention:

Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender, worked at the Café Parisian in the Ritz Hotel, Paris, when it opened in 1921. Meier was known for inventing several cocktails, including this simple yet delightful combination of gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup (see recipe below).

The Unsinkable Molly Brown's Claim:

Another version attributes the Bee's Knees to Margaret Tobin Brown, nicknamed "the unsinkable Molly Brown" due to her survival of the Titanic disaster in 1912. According to an April 1929 article, Mrs. Brown frequented women-only bars in Paris and supposedly invented the Bee's Knees gin cocktail.

Prohibition-Era Adaptation:

During Prohibition in the United States, the Bee's Knees gained popularity. Lemon juice and honey syrup were used to mask the flavor of cheap bathtub gin. The phrase "the bee's knees" was slang for something excellent or outstanding during that era.

The Sweet Nectar

Whether you're in a speakeasy or your own secret hideaway, raise your glass to the Bee's Knees—a sip that captures the buzz of the Jazz Age and the sweetness of life.

Best across seasons, from aperitif hour into the early evening. 🍸🫒✨