Last Updated on June 11, 2023 by Leah Hall
A hot honey cocktail is the perfect way to use up your spicy honey. Instead of just on toast or pizza, try it in this bee’s knees!
We know it’s easy to get in a routine of pouring wine on a date night, but a spicy cocktail can be so much more fun! At least we think so! This one is spicy twist on the prohibition classic, and it all starts with homemade hot honey simple syrup. Combine it with lemon juice, Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin like we did, and you will win over your sweetheart!
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Bee’s Knees Cocktail
The Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition cocktail combining gin, lemon juice and honey syrup. The name is a homage of the time, the phrase “bee’s knees” was slang used to call something neat or fun!
The drink is said to be created by Frank Meier, a bartender who worked at the Hôtel Ritz Paris in the 1920s. It’s like a Gin Sour (gin, lemon & sugar) but uses honey instead of sugar. The honey creates a richer, darker drink, aaaaand it may have been used to cover up terrible gin, which happened a lot in the 20s.
Usually in a typical Bee’s Knees a London Dry gin is used, but a modern gin with citrus and floral notes will play well with lemon and honey. In our spicy version, we picked to use Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin.
Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin
Honey Simple Syrup
A homemade honey syrup in a regular Bee’s Knees is a simple combination of honey and water. In this case, we used half regular honey and half Hot Honey. You can go all hot honey if you like, but we liked the spice level in the 50/50 ratio.
To make honey simple syrup, warm the two together on the stove until you can whisk them together easily. That’s it! It will keep well in the fridge for two weeks.
Hot Honey
We have recently discovered Mike’s Hot Honey. This is not your normal honey, it is infused with hot chilies. Mike’s Hot Honey is at a lot of grocery stores, but of course you can get it on Amazon, too. So, go get a bottle, and make a hot honey cocktail! There are other brands, but this is the only one we have tried.
What do You Put Hot Honey on?
Hot Honey is so versatile you should add it to wings, pizza, roasted veggies, marinades, charcuterie, and cocktails!
Does Hot Honey Need to be Refrigerated?
No, best stored at room temperature so it’s still runny and easy to use.
So make this spicy Bee’s Knees whenever you want to enjoy an easy, refreshing cocktail. It’s only three ingredients, so this hot honey cocktail can be a good option for parties, but make sure your friends like spice!
Cheers!
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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
Other Bee’s Knees Cocktails
- Sage Bee’s Knees – Salt and Wind
- Empress Bee’s Knees – bits and bites
- Honeysuckle – Sidewalk Shoes
- Ginger Bee’s Knees – The Rogue Brussel Sprout
- Sparkling Bee’s Knees – Cooks with Cocktails
Spicy Bee's Knees - Hot Honey Cocktail
This spicy hot honey cocktail is a must make! Using hot honey to make the syrup, this Bee's Knees will be a perfect easy cocktail!
Ingredients
Spicy Honey Simple Syrup
- 2 Tablespoons hot honey
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- .25 cup of water
Hot Honey Bee's Knees
- 2 ounces Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin or any barrel aged gin
- .75 ounce lemon juice
- .50 ounce Spicy Honey Simple Syrup
Notes
Spicy Honey Simple Syrup
1. Combine honies and water in saucepan over medium high heat. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, turn off heat.
2. Pour into a jar and store in the fridge up to 2 weeks.
Hot Honey Bee's Knees
1. Combine gin, lemon juice and syrup in shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into coupe.
3. Garnish with chili pepper or lemon slice if desired.
4. Cheers!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: .2gSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: .1gSugar: 8.9gProtein: .2g
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