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Lavender Bee’s Knees – A Gin Cocktail

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Last Updated on June 13, 2023 by Leah Hall

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.

Lavender Bee's Knees Cocktail in coupe with lavender sprig. Lemon and flowers in background

Coupe Glasses

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.

Lavender Bee's Knees Cocktail in coupe with lavender sprig. Lemon and flowers in background with gin bottleShaker

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.

Lavender Bee's Knees Cocktail in coupe with lavender sprig. Lemon and flowers in background

If You are Looking for a Classic Cocktail, Try These!

 

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.

 

We love a bit of honey to keep the rich sweetness and unique flavor that honey brings, and we hope that you try it with the floral flavor of the lavender. Try lavender in our Lavender Margarita, too!

 

What Ingredients are Needed for the Lavender Bee’s Knees?

  • Lavender Simple Syrup
    • Lavender Sprigs
    • Water
    • Sugar
    • Honey
  • Cocktail
    • Lemon Juice
    • Lavender Honey 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 to this honey classic!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Lavender Lemon Gin and Tonic Granita CocktailLemon Lavender Gin & Tonic Granita Cocktail

 

Brandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub CocktailBrandy and Blackberry Lavender Shrub Cocktail

 

Other Bee’s Knees Cocktails

Other Lavender Cocktails

Lavender Bee's Knees light cocktail in coupe with lavender sprigs. Gin bottle and lemons behind
Yield: 1

Lavender Bee's Knees - A Gin Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

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
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey

For the Cocktail

  • 1 oz Lavender Honey Simple Syrup
  • 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 oz gin

Instructions

For the Cocktail

Add the ingredients to a shaker.

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, honey 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.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 268Total Fat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 27mgCarbohydrates: 30.2gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 6.4gProtein: 0.3g

Did you make this recipe?

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Kelly @connect_through_food

Friday 24th of June 2022

This cocktail was simply divine!! I loved making the lavender simple syrup with fresh lavender! It is such a perfect summer drink to share on a patio!! Thank you Noms for the delicious recipe! ❤️

Jo

Thursday 18th of November 2021

We love this recipe & want to share it with our friends! Any suggestions on how to sub bottled lemon juice? We need 2 cups for our party.

The Noms

Thursday 18th of November 2021

Hey there, you can use bottled in the same amount if that's all you have access to! Hope you have a great time at your party, cheers!

Nicole

Saturday 30th of May 2020

I'm confused by the instructions for this one. Honey is listed in the ingredients for the simple syrup. But in the instructions there is no honey in the simple syrup and it says to add the honey to the gin? So I add a 1/2 cup of honey to the 2 oz of gin? That doesn't sound right.

The 'Noms.

Saturday 30th of May 2020

Nicole, I am sorry about that! We had refigured the recipe a few weeks ago - and part of the instructions made it past my fix. Sorry about that. It should be correct now!

Shandon Arnold

Tuesday 19th of June 2018

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 'Noms.

Wednesday 20th of June 2018

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!

Samantha

Monday 19th of June 2017

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!!

The 'Noms.

Monday 19th of June 2017

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!!

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