Bees Knees Recipe

Make honey syrup

Combine 2 tablespoons raw honey and 1 tablespoon warm water in a small jar or bowl. Stir or shake until fully combined and pourable. Cool briefly while you prepare the rest of the cocktail. (If you prefer to use straight honey, see note: it will be harder to dissolve.)

Chill a coupe or martini glass by filling with ice water. Set aside.

Add 2 oz gin, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a medium lemon), and 0.75 oz honey syrup into a cocktail shaker.

Fill the shaker with ice (about 1 cup) and seal. Dry-shake (no ice) for 8–10 seconds only if you used whole honey rather than syrup to help emulsify; otherwise proceed to the next step.

Shake vigorously with ice for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes very cold and slightly frosty. This chills the drink and slightly dilutes it for balance.

Dump the ice water from your chilled glass. Fine-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass using a hawthorne or fine mesh strainer to remove small ice chips for a smooth texture.

Express a lemon twist over the drink by holding a thin strip of lemon peel over the glass and pinching it to release oils, then drop the twist in as a garnish.

Serve immediately.