Sweet, citrusy and bright with a floral note, here’s how to make the Lavender Bee’s Knees cocktail.
The Bee’s Knees cocktail dates back to the Prohibition era, and the term “bees knees” means “the best”, a slang phrase popular in the US in the 1920s. The gin cocktail was thought to be an antidote to the harshness of bathtub gin which was popular at the time by adding sweetness and citrus to create a more potable libation.
This classic combination of gin, lemon juice and honey is reworked in the Lavender Bee’s Knees cocktail with the addition of a floral note from lavender. Essentially a gin sour, the cocktail makes use of lavender honey water, using equal parts honey and water infused with lavender flowers.
Sweet, citrusy and bright with a floral note, the Lavender Bee’s Knees cocktail is ideal to sip any time of the day and to enjoy during spring time when the lavender bush is in bloom.
Lavender Bee’s Knees Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 60 ml gin
- 20 ml lemon juice
- 20 ml lavender honey water*
- 1 dash lavender bitters
Glassware: coupette
Garnish: lavender sprigs
Method
To make the cocktail, add the gin, lemon juice, lavender honey water and lavender bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard until cold. Strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with lavender sprigs.
* To make the lavender honey water, in a small saucepan add 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of lavender flowers and bring to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes. Fine strain and measure the amount of liquid. While it’s still warm, add an equal part of honey to the liquid and stir until fully dissolved. It keeps in the fridge for one week.
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