Today’s cocktail is an un-bee-lievable good concoction that is sure to get you happily buzzed: meet The Bee’s Knees. All bee humor aside, this is one serious cocktail, seriously good that is!
If images of flappers, The Charleston, and Speakeasies come to mind when you hear the name, you wouldn’t be wrong! This cocktail originated in the roaring ’20s and has stuck around for its simple and perfectly proportioned ingredients. It became an instant classic upon its inception almost 100 years ago. It gets it’s name from a popular saying at the time, “You’re the bee’s knees!”
We love how the flavors come together beautifully while remaining simple, which makes it a great, easy cocktail for parties. The floral, pine notes of the gin mingle with the sweet honey while a splash of lemon juice pulls it all together with a tart punch. We have added egg white to the traditional recipe because drinks are so much better with egg white, don’t you agree?! They give a creamy and frothy feel to the cocktail that provides a wonderful texture that has you coming back for another sip.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Honey Syrup (recipe below)
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh egg whites
Honey Syrup:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup water
Bring honey and water to a boil in a saucepan. Take off the heat and let cool before using.
Recipe:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker without ice. Shake hard for one minute. Add the ice to the shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Pour into glass (we suggest a coupe) and enjoy.
Cocktails are first and foremost about balance and taste, but one thing you may not know plays a big roll in delicious libations is texture. The texture of a cocktail gives it body and depth that plays off all of the other components such as sweetness and acidity. The egg whites add some of the best texture, but many shy away from adding them because they may not know how to use them properly. With a few tips you’ll be whipping up an egg white cocktail worth of being given the title of the bee’s knees!
When it comes to using egg white, get the freshest eggs possible, it will help with the emulsion of the whites that makes them creamy. Alcohol essential “cooks” the eggs so no need to worry about ingesting raw eggs. Start off by mixing your cocktail using the dry shake method. This is when you add all ingredients except the ice and shake for a good minute. This allows the egg whites to get that desired frothy texture that tastes so good! After a minute, add ice and shake to chill to the perfect sipping temperature.
We love a well made drink- it is a bee-utiful thing! (buzzed cocktail napkins c/o Hattan Home)
Happy Imbibing!
Photography by Ashley Batz
