Honey Recipe: Bee’s Knees Cocktail

One of my customers at last week’s farmer’s market suggested that this week I post a cocktail for my Friday recipe. This worked out well, since I’ve been out of town on work most of this week… and Lord knows I could use a drink!

Originally designed to cover up the taste of bathtub gin in the roaring 20’s during prohibition, this cocktail has a refreshing flavor that’s perfect for a hot summer night.

Original recipe on Saveur website.

For the honey syrup:

• 3 parts honey
• 1 parts hot water

For the cocktail:

• 1 Part fresh lemon juice (I used concentrate and you could tell it would have been better with fresh)
• 1 Part honey syrup
• 2 Parts gin (I haven’t had gin in a very long time and I was delightfully surprised at the aromatic flavor of it. If you haven’t tried gin or if it’s been a while, give it a try — you might be surprised.)

Instructions

1. Make the honey syrup: In a container, combine honey and hot water and stir until completely mixed. Use immediately or store and refrigerate for up to 5 days. (While honey can last pretty much forever, once it has water mixed into it, it will ferment… e.g. make mead aka Honey wine.)
2. In a shaker, combine fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, gin, and ice.
3. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass. The original recipe called for a 6-oz coupe glass but I think a tumbler or or stemless wine glass might be more fashionable – better yet, use a Long Island Ice Tea glass and double the portion.