Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsJ.D. Hoyt's Supper ClubBee's Knees Recipe

Bee's Knees Recipe

Time12m
Serves1

Fords Gin, fresh lemon juice, and homemade honey simple syrup. On the rocks.

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

Honey syrup

Method

Honey syrup

  1. 1

    Make honey simple syrup

    Combine equal parts honey and hot water (0.75 cup honey + 0.75 cup hot water) in a heatproof container or small saucepan. Stir or whisk until the honey fully dissolves into the water and the mixture is homogeneous. Let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a clean bottle or jar and refrigerate. Syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks. Measure 0.75 oz for each cocktail.

Cocktail

  1. 2

    Prepare glass

    Fill an old-fashioned glass with 4 cubes of fresh ice and set aside to chill while you mix the drink (or add ice at the end if you prefer your drink less diluted).

  2. 3

    Combine ingredients

    In a cocktail shaker, add 6 ice cubes, 2 oz Fords Gin, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice (juice from about 1/2 medium lemon), and 0.75 oz honey simple syrup.

  3. 4

    Shake

    Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty and the mixture is well chilled and slightly aerated.

  4. 5

    Strain and serve

    Double-strain the shaken cocktail into the prepared old-fashioned glass over the fresh ice. If you chilled the serving glass instead of adding ice, pour over fresh ice cubes now.

  5. 6

    Garnish

    Express the oils of a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in, or float a thin lemon wheel on the surface. Serve immediately.

  6. 7

    Notes: For a drier Bee's Knees, reduce honey syrup to 0.5 oz. Adjust honey syrup to taste. Use fresh-squeezed lemon for best results.

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