At Snowdonia Spirit Co, we take great pride in crafting exceptional gins that embody the spirit of Wales and offer endless possibilities for creating some of the most iconic cocktails. Today, we’re excited to share with you one of our all-time favourites – the Bee’s Knees – a cocktail that is the very essence of summer, brimming with light, refreshing, and citrusy flavours.
Using our very own Lemon Gin, this cocktail is more than just a drink; it’s a celebration of the harmonious blend of ingredients that make gin a beloved spirit. In this post, we’ll dive into the history of the Bee’s Knees cocktail, why it’s the ideal summer drink, and how you can easily make it at home using our Lemon Gin and Welsh Wildflower Honey from Snowdonia Honey.
A Brief History of the Bee’s Knees Cocktail
The Bee’s Knees cocktail has a history as vibrant as its flavor. Originating during the Prohibition era in the United States, this cocktail emerged at a time when quality spirits were hard to come by, and bartenders had to get creative to mask the harshness of bootlegged alcohol. The phrase “bee’s knees” was popular slang in the 1920s, signifying “the best” or “the height of excellence,” which perfectly describes this delightful cocktail.
It is widely believed that the Bee’s Knees was created by Frank Meier, a legendary bartender at the Hôtel Ritz Paris, who wanted to craft a cocktail that was not only drinkable but also thoroughly enjoyable. By blending gin with the natural sweetness of honey and the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice, he managed to create a cocktail that was both sophisticated and satisfying. As gin quality improved over the years, the Bee’s Knees became a staple in the cocktail world, celebrated for its simplicity and elegance.
Why the Bee’s Knees is the Perfect Summer Cocktail
When summer arrives, we all crave light, refreshing drinks that can be enjoyed outdoors, and the Bee’s Knees is exactly that. The combination of gin, lemon, and honey creates a cocktail that is perfectly balanced, with a refreshing zing that makes it the ideal companion for a warm, sunny day. Our Lemon Gin elevates the drink, adding a bright citrus note that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the honey.
What makes the Bee’s Knees particularly appealing in the summer is its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s easy to make, yet it offers a depth of flavor that belies its straightforwardness. Whether you choose to serve it in a sophisticated coupe glass or over ice in a highball glass for a more casual affair, the Bee’s Knees is versatile enough to suit any summer occasion.
The Importance of Quality Ingredients, Snowdonia Spirit Co.’s Lemon Gin and Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey
When crafting a Bee’s Knees cocktail, the quality of the ingredients is key to achieving the best flavor. At Snowdonia Spirit Co., we believe that every great cocktail begins with a great spirit, which is why our Lemon Gin is the perfect foundation for this classic drink.
Snowdonia Spirit Co.’s Lemon Gin – 40% ABV
Our Lemon Gin is a labor of love, crafted with a carefully selected blend of botanicals designed to enhance the natural flavours of lemon. The result is a gin that is bright, zesty, and full of character, with a smooth finish that makes it an ideal choice for mixing in cocktails. With an ABV of 40%, our Lemon Gin strikes the perfect balance between strength and flavour, ensuring that it holds its own against the other ingredients in the Bee’s Knees.
The citrus notes in our Lemon Gin are what make it truly stand out in this cocktail. The sharpness of the lemon is perfectly complemented by the botanicals, creating a gin that is not only refreshing but also complex enough to be enjoyed neat. However, when mixed with honey and lemon juice, our Lemon Gin truly comes to life, resulting in a cocktail that is both balanced and incredibly delicious.
Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey, The Ideal Sweetener
The second essential ingredient in the Bee’s Knees is honey, and we highly recommend using Welsh Wildflower Honey from Snowdonia Honey. This honey is sourced from the lush meadows and hillsides of Wales, where bees gather nectar from a diverse range of wildflowers, resulting in a honey that is as unique and vibrant as the landscape itself.
Welsh Wildflower Honey is known for its rich, floral notes and its complex, layered sweetness, which adds depth and character to the Bee’s Knees cocktail. Unlike commercially processed honey, which can often be overly sweet and one-dimensional, this wildflower honey has a natural, unfiltered quality that enhances the other flavours in the cocktail without overpowering them.
To incorporate the honey into the cocktail, we recommend making a honey syrup. This is done by mixing equal parts Welsh Wildflower Honey and hot water until the honey is fully dissolved. The syrup allows the honey to blend more easily with the gin and lemon juice, ensuring a smooth, well-balanced drink. The unique floral undertones of Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey will elevate your Bee’s Knees cocktail, giving it a distinctive flavor that is truly one-of-a-kind.
How to Make the Perfect Bee’s Knees Cocktail
Now that we’ve covered the history and the importance of using quality ingredients, it’s time to get hands-on and make the cocktail! Here’s our tried-and-true recipe for a Bee’s Knees cocktail using Snowdonia Spirit Co.’s Lemon Gin and Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey.
Ingredients:
50ml Snowdonia Spirit Co.’s Lemon Gin (40% ABV)
20ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
20ml Honey syrup (made with Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey)
Ice cubes
Lemon twist, for garnish
Method:
Prepare the honey syrup: Start by making your honey syrup. In a small saucepan, combine equal parts Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey and hot water. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool before using. Any leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Mix the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine 50ml of Snowdonia Spirit Co.’s Lemon Gin, 20ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 20ml of honey syrup. Add a handful of ice cubes.
Shake it well: Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This will ensure that all the ingredients are well mixed and that the cocktail is nicely chilled.
Strain and serve: Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass. For a more casual presentation, you can also serve it over ice in a highball glass.
Garnish: Add a lemon twist for a touch of elegance and an extra hint of citrus aroma.
Enjoy: Take a sip and savour the refreshing, well-balanced flavours of the Bee’s Knees cocktail.
Why We Love the Bee’s Knees Cocktail
At Snowdonia Spirit Co., the Bee’s Knees is one of our absolute favourites, and for good reason. It perfectly captures everything we love about gin – its complexity, balance, and versatility. This cocktail is both simple and sophisticated, making it ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a summer garden party or a quiet evening at home.
The combination of our Lemon Gin with Snowdonia Honey’s Welsh Wildflower Honey creates a drink that is uniquely Welsh, with flavours that evoke the natural beauty and rich traditions of our homeland. Whether you’re new to gin or a seasoned aficionado, the Bee’s Knees is a cocktail that everyone should try at least once.
So why not give it a go? With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a cocktail that is truly the bee’s knees. Iechyd da!
The post Bee’s Knees Cocktail, The Perfect Summer Gin Delight first appeared on Snowdonia Spirit Co.