Bee’s Knees

Recipe from Marshall Minaya

Adapted by Robert Simonson

Published Feb. 8, 2023

Bee’s Knees
Caitlin Ochs for The New York Times
Rating
4(568)
Comments
Read comments

This recipe from Marshall Minaya of Valerie, a bar in Midtown Manhattan, is classic, adhering to the original’s mixture of gin, lemon juice and honey. The addition of Barr Hill Gin, a spirit from Vermont that is finished with raw honey, adds an extra honeyed note to the cocktail. —Robert Simonson

Featured in: Celebrating the Roaring 2020s With a Bee’s Knees Cocktail

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe

  • Print Options

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:1 drink
  • 2ounces gin, preferably Barr Hill Gin
  • ¾ounce fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ounce honey syrup (see Tip)
  • Ice
  • Peel from 1 lemon, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

186 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 9 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 2 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake until chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Express a lemon peel over the surface of the drink and drop into glass.

Tip
  • To make honey syrup, combine 2 ounces honey with 1 ounce hot water in a sealed container. Shake until integrated. Let cool. Makes enough for 4 drinks.

Ratings

4 out of 5
568 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

Geoff

I'm sorry, I can't resist... If you replace the honey with maple syrup, would the drink then be called... Tree's Knees? 😂

stephanie

I add a little grated ginger to the honey syrup and it’s divine!

David

Using different types of honey yields subtle variations in the drink: we love orange blossom honey for this.

Rob

Good cocktail, but the honey makes a big difference. Made it once with cheap honey and once with a fancier one. Don't cheap out on the honey, but do experiment with the honey syrup ratio because some are sweeter than others.

matimat

One of my favorite cocktails! But I am partial to Tanqueray gin

Rebecca T.

the best way to consume honey and really experience all the nuance of flavor. ever

Private comments are only visible to you.

Credits

Adapted from Marshall Minaya, Valerie, New York

Recipe Tags

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.