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We love the flavors in this classic gin cocktail, light and herbal with the lavender, perfectly citrusy with the lemon! Cheers to summer with this Lavender Bee’s Knees!
We have been busy the last few weeks wrapping up the end of summer by finding ways to use our fresh herbs from our garden before the cold nights of fall finish off our herbs. One of the herbs we have been really enjoying is our lavender, which finally has established itself enough to bloom, its purple flowers fragrantly floral in the late summer sun.
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Lavender Bee’s Knees
We have enjoyed using lavender in some of our previous cocktails like the Brandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub. Using lavender added a rich floral freshness to the recipe, too. We then decided to use a lavender infused simple syrup to make a delicious summer sipping cocktail, the Lavender Bee’s Knees.
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What is the history of the Bee’s Knees?
The Bee’s Knees is a delicious classic cocktail recipe that has been around since prohibition. Bee’s Knees got its name from the popular 1920’s phrase “It’s the bee’s knees,” meaning the best. The Bee’s Knees is a take off of the old standby, the Gin Sour cocktail, but uses honey to add a rich complex sweetness to the drink.
Likely the change from the classic sour recipe to add a big dose of honey syrup used in the original. It was to add an overwhelming sweetness to hide the questionable flavors of the bathtub gin that was common in the 1920’s.
When we started making the Lavender Bee’s Knees, we found the original seemed a little sweet, especially for a summer sipper. We also were running a little short for the amount of honey the original recipe called to make the honey simple syrup.
What makes this Bee’s Knees different?
Since we had a nice lavender infused simple syrup that we have been playing around with, we decided to sub in the lavender simple syrup for some of the honey syrup. It took this Lavender Bee’s Knees down a whole different road than the original by adding a rich floral note.
If You are Looking for a Classic Cocktail, Try These!
- Gin and Jam
- Blood and Sand
- Clover Club
- Christmas Old Fashioned
- Ward Eight
- Raspberry Gimlet
- Maple Old Fashioned
- Pimm’s Cup
- Apple Cider Sidecar
- Lumiere
- Boulevardier
- Hibiscus Salty Dog
- Pisco Sour
- Champs Elysees
We used a nice light gin, Hendrick’s, which has a nice hint of floral sweetness that worked really well with the lavender syrup, too. Fresh squeezed lemon juice brings a tart component that works really well with gin, making the Lavender Bee’s Knees a nice crisp cocktail good for sipping on a late summer evening. Keep your lemons fresh with this OXO Good Grips Silicone Lemon Squeeze & Store.
We still used a bit of honey to keep the rich sweetness and unique flavor that honey brings, but the majority of the sweetness comes from the lavender simple syrup.
What Ingredients are Needed for the Lavender Bee’s Knees?
- Lavender Simple Syrup
- Lavender Sprigs
- Water
- Sugar
- Cocktail
- Lemon Juice
- Honey
- Lavender Simple Syrup
- Gin
Crisp and tart with a floral sweetness, we found ourselves sipping this on our porch as the sun set on a couple of wonderful warm evenings the past few weeks.
Cheers!
Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
Lemon Lavender Gin & Tonic Granita Cocktail
Brandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub Cocktail
Other Bee’s Knees Cocktails
- Fig Bee’s Knees – Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Apple Bee’s Knees – A Saucy Kitchen
- Bee’s Knees – Liquor.com
- Thyme Bee’s Knees – Salt and Bitters
Other Lavender Cocktails
- Lavender French 75 – Lively Table
- Blackberry Lavender Gin & Tonic – Super Golden Bakes
- Lemon Lavender Gin Fizz – The Charming Detroiter
- Lavender Collins – Fox & Briar
- Sparkling Lavender Cocktail – Cooking LSL
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Lavender Bee's Knees - A Gin Cocktail
A lavender twist on the classic bee's knees cocktail, with gin and honey.
Ingredients
For the Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 4-5 sprigs of lavender and/or flowers
- 1 cup sugar
For the Cocktail
- 1 oz Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 oz gin
Instructions
For the Cocktail
Add the gin and honey into a shaker and stir to dissolve the honey.
Add in the remaining ingredients.
Fill shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a cocktail coupe.
Garnish with a sprig of Lavender.
Cheers!
For the Lavender Simple Syrup
Bring sugar and water to a boil, take off of heat, and add lavender sprigs.
Let sit for 15 minutes, strain out sprigs.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Recommended Products
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OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer -
CCnatrue French Lavender Flowers USDA Organic Dried Culinary Lavender 8oz -
HIC Japanese-Style Double Cocktail Jigger, 18/8 Stainless Steel, 4.75-Inches, 0.5-Ounce to 2-Ounce -
Luminarc Barcraft Coupe Cocktail (Set of 4), 5.5 oz, Clear -
Luckygoobo Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker,25oz,Silver
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 268 Total Fat: 0.2g Saturated Fat: 0.2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 27mg Carbohydrates: 30.2g Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 6.4g Protein: 0.3g
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This looks so amazing!! Definitely need to try it asap 🙂
Thanks! Hope you try it out! Cheers!
I had a lavender cocktail the other night at dinner and now I am hooked. I’m so happy I saw this today!!
That’s great! Hope you try this one! Cheers!
I love a good classic! Beautiful pics by the way!
Thanks so much, cheers!
Yum, I’ve got lavender growing on my patio and will definitely be making these next weekend.
Hope you do, it is pretty tasty, and the lavender is light and fresh! Cheers!
Love this! Lavender is one of my favorite herbs, but I’ve never had it in a drink. I can’t wait to try this now!
We hope you try it, it is really lovely in this one! Cheers!
Such a beautiful cocktail! I love lavender in my cocktails!
It really is a lovely flavor! Cheers!
Love the sound of lavendar in a cocktail! Sounds so refreshing!
We thought this one was great! Cheers!
Drool worthy!! I have recently discovered my love for gin. This recipe will be perfect for me! 🙂 xo Loren | http://www.thinkelysian.com
Awesome, it is so underrated because a lot of people are afraid of it! We hope you try it, cheers!
Anything with Gin in it is my kind of drink 🙂
I put honey in my tea, but never think of adding it to any other drink – I really need to start experimenting with it!
Honey is fantastic in cocktails, makes it sweet, but gives it a deeper flavor! Hope you try it out!
Each time I visit your blog or see a photo on Instagram, I want to either eat or try making that drink. Love your page.
Aw, thanks so much! We really love to make people hungry, so mission accomplished! Cheers!
This looks absolutely delicious, and I’m a big fan of this recipe! I’d love one right now 😉 xx Adaleta Avdic
Thanks so much! We thought this one was a winner! Cheers!
This is so lovely! Lavender is my favorite!
Thank you! We thought it was great in this drink! Cheers!
This sounds incredible. I love lavender, and I never think to use it in cocktails. What a great idea!
Thanks! We thought it was a great addition to this one! It was light and subtle!
This is just a beautiful cocktail! I have some lavender and you have inspired me!
Thanks so much! We hope you try it! Cheers!
Can I make this with dried lavender?
Absolutely! Just use a little less than the fresh amount. Enjoy!
My best friend served this drink as a signature drink at her wedding and it was a HUGE hit!!!! we are having a party later next month and I plan to serve these drinks. They are so light and refreshing!!
Oh, that’s amazing! I love hearing things like this, and I am so glad that you all loved them! Thanks for letting us know! Cheers to your party!!
I love this drink but make it a few different ways. Instead of simple syrup I make a honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part water) and either infuse that with lavender or just muddle a little dried lavender (fresher/stronger flavor) in the shaker with the plain honey syrup and other ingredients then just double strain it into the glass. Just can’t stop drinking them!
The original Bee’s Knees does have a honey simple syrup, so you are on the right track with that. Glad you enjoy it! Cheers!