Bee's knees

Bee's knees
IBA official cocktail
A bee's knees cocktail made with gin, 1:1 honey syrup, lemon juice and orange juice
TypeCocktail
Base spirit
ServedStraight up: chilled, without ice
Standard garnishGarnish with lemon peel
Standard drinkware Cocktail glass
IBA specified
ingredients†
  • 2oz gin
  • 1oz honey syrup
  • 1oz lemon juice
  • 1oz orange juice
  • garnish with lemon peel
PreparationCombine gin, honey syrup, lemon juice and orange juice into a mixing tin. Shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
Bee's knees recipe at International Bartenders Association

A bees knees (or bee's knees) is a Prohibition era cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey. It is served shaken and chilled, often with a lemon twist.

The name comes from prohibition-era slang meaning "the best".