The Bees Knees was originally created as a Prohibition cocktail, with just 3 simple ingredients: gin, lemon juice, and honey. My lavender Bees Knees adds a soft floral note to the sweet and tart drink, delivering a flavor perfect for spring and summer, with a lovely purple hue!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright and balanced. Fresh lemon juice and honey create the perfect sweet-tart base
- Soft floral twist. Lavender adds a subtle, elegant note without overpowering the drink
- Smooth and sippable. Honey gives it a naturally rounded, silky finish!
- Simple ingredients. Just a few components come together for big flavor
- Botanical and refreshing. Gin and lavender pair beautifully for a light, aromatic cocktail
- Easy to customize. Adjust the lavender for a hint of floral or a more pronounced lavender flavor
- Feels elevated. A small twist on a classic makes it feel a little more special
- Perfect for warm weather. Light, refreshing, and great for spring and summer sipping!
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Ingredients List
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce lavender simple syrup
- ¼ ounce honey (wildflower or lavender honey is best)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I like Empress gin since it enhances the purple color, but you can use your favorite gin (a botanical gin like Hendrick works well). Swap the gin for a Jamaican or similar golden rum for a Honey Bee cocktail variation
- Fresh lemon juice is truly best for flavor, but you can use bottled in a pinch
- Instead of lavender syrup, you can omit it and simply use ¾ ounce of lavender infused honey instead (it can just be a little hard to find, so I use the syrup for flavor instead). Thin the honey with a little hot water to help it dissolve better if you use all honey
Step By Step Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a handful of ice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, and the honey is fully incorporated, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into a chilled glass
- Garnish with a sprig of lavender or twist of lemon peel if desired (optional). Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Appetizers
- Goat cheese crostini: Tangy and creamy to balance the honey and lemon
- Brie with honey: Soft and buttery with a subtle sweetness that complements the drink
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon: Sweet, salty, and refreshing
- Marinated olives: A briny contrast to the citrus and floral notes
Seasonal Dishes
- Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette: Peppery greens mirror the citrus brightness
- Strawberry spinach salad: Fruit-forward and fresh with a hint of sweetness
- Caprese salad: Light, clean flavors that pair well with gin-based cocktails. The fruit in my Red White and Blue Caprese Salad makes the perfect complement!
- Herb-roasted chicken: Simple and savory without overpowering the drink
Mains
- Grilled shrimp: Slightly sweet and perfect with citrus notes
- Fish tacos: Lime and fresh toppings complement the cocktail beautifully.
- Chicken skewers: Easy, flavorful, and great for entertaining. Try my Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs!
Desserts
- Shortbread cookies: Buttery and simple, letting the cocktail shine
- Lemon bars: Bright citrus enhances the drink’s flavor
- Honey cake: Echoes the honey in the cocktail!
- Berry desserts: Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries pair beautifully with lavender. My Air Fryer Blueberry Crisp is a great option!
Occasion Vibes
Perfect for brunches, garden parties, date nights, or any warm-weather gathering where you want something light, refreshing, and a little elevated!
Recipe FAQs
What Alcohol Goes In A Bee’s Knees?
A classic Bee’s Knees cocktail is made with gin, along with fresh lemon juice and honey. The gin’s botanical flavors pair perfectly with the bright citrus and natural sweetness.
What’s The History Of The Bee’s Knees Cocktail?
The Bee’s Knees dates back to the Prohibition era in the 1920s. It was created as a way to mask the harsh taste of homemade gin by mixing it with honey and lemon. The name “bee’s knees” was slang at the time for something excellent or top-notch.
How Do You Make A Bee’s Knees Drink With Lavender?
To make a lavender version, simply add lavender syrup or a small amount of culinary lavender to the classic mix of gin, lemon juice, and honey (or honey syrup). Start with a light hand on the lavender so it enhances the drink without overpowering it.
Tips For the Best Lavender Bees Knees
- Chill your glasses in advance (10-15 minutes in the fridge or freezer) to keep the drink colder for longer with less dilution!
- For a less sweet drink, use a sugar-free lavender syrup, or reduce the amount used to ¼ ounce
- If you find the drink too strong or too sweet, you can always dilute with a small amount of cold water or unsweetened sparkling water, to your personal tastes
Serving Tips
- Use a coupe or martini glass. It highlights the soft color and gives the drink an elegant feel! If you happen to have a Nora glass, it’s an excellent choice that’s on-theme for the Prohibition era style
- Use clear glassware. This lets the soft, pale color of the cocktail shine
- Garnish simply. A lemon twist or a small lavender sprig adds a refined touch without overpowering the drink
- Serve immediately. Best enjoyed fresh while cold and bright!
Final Thoughts
This lavender Bees Knees adds a soft floral twist to a Prohibition-era classic cocktail that makes it an absolutely perfect seasonal sipper for spring and summer, while remaining simple, timeless, and delicious!
With just 4 ingredients, it’s easy to make, yet delivers a huge depth of flavor thanks to botanical gin, tart lemon, sweet honey, and the floral notes of the lavender. It’s a cocktail I love to sip on warm summer nights or relaxing in the garden on a sunny afternoon.
Katie’s tip
If you have some extra syrup to use up (or just love floral sips), check out all of my Lavender Cocktails for more inspiration to suit any occasion or taste!
Lavender Bees Knees (With Empress Gin)
Equipment
- Martini glass (or similar)
- Liquid measuring cup (or jigger)
- Shaker (or similar; like a mason jar with lid)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Empress Indigo gin
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce lavender simple syrup
- ¼ ounce honey (wildflower or lavender honey is best)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, along with a handful of ice2 ounces Empress Indigo gin, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce lavender simple syrup, ¼ ounce honey, Ice cubes
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, and the honey is fully incorporated, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into a chilled glass
- Garnish with a sprig of lavender or twist of lemon peel if desired (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
- I use Empress gin since it enhances the purple color, but you can use your favorite. Swap the gin for Jamaican or golden rum for a Honey Bee cocktail variation
- Fresh lemon juice is truly best for flavor, but you can use bottled in a pinch
- Instead of using lavender syrup, you can omit it and simply use ¾ ounce of lavender infused honey instead (it can just be a little hard to find, so I use the syrup for flavor instead). Thin the honey with a little hot water to help it dissolve better if you use all honey
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any swaps or garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
