Have you ever heard the slang term “the bee’s knees”? It was used in the 1920s during the Noble Experiment to describe something really cool and hip. The cocktail itself appeared sometime during Prohibition. The recipe appears in cocktail books printed after 1936, which helps back this theory. It is fairly easy to make—the trick is to use honey syrup instead of honey itself, as honey will not dissolve when shaken with ice in a cocktail. We suggest Cadenhead’s Old Raj saffron-infused gin, at 55 percent alcohol by volume. Some authorities claim this cocktail can also be made with rum. If you’re game, we suggest the Flor de Caña four-year-old clear rum, which adds the perfect amount of grassiness and earthiness to the overall flavor profile.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Pour the gin, syrup, and juice into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the lemon twist.
tasting notes
Step 2
Dominant Flavors: citrus and honey
Step 3
Body: mouthwateringly crisp
Step 4
Dryness: medium
Step 5
Complexity: medium
Step 6
Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: juniper and saffron
Step 7
Finish: medium with bitter orange overtones
Step 8
Glass: cocktail
