Today’s cocktail is a creation all our own and take’s it’s inspiration from an all-time favorite, the Bee’s Knees. The latter is a prohibition era drink spun from the need to mask the less than appealing aromas & flavors of ‘bath-tub’ gin. Calling upon the powerful flavors of lemon & honey to offer a bitter & sweet overlay to the time’s otherwise unsavory spirit. A combination that has held the test of time and when brought together with today’s many excellent interpretations of Gin, make for an stellar & rather strong drink.
While imbibing on a Bee’s Knee’s is a treat unto itself, the very nature of the drink limits the best of us to just 1 or 2. Not exactly ideal for daytime picnics, poolside gatherings or BBQs. With the thirst for such delicious & refreshing flavors of citrus & honey, we went to work in the kitchen & concocted the perfect extension of this cocktail. One that will afford staying power if nothing else during summer time soiree’s. Best of all, it utilizes one of our favorite, Connecticut made mixes — Ripe Bar Juice’s Lemon Sour. Enjoy!
The Buzzing Bee
- 1.5 oz Gin
- 2 tsp good honey (while a bear shaped bottle will do, fresh honey is worth the extra step)
- 3 oz Ripe Lemon Sour
In a cocktail shaker, add Gin & honey. Using a barspoon, stir aggressively to breakdown the honey & mix with the gin. Add in Ripe’s Lemon Sour, a scope of ice & shake until your hands hurt. Strain into a collins glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist. Enjoy!
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