Rosemary Bee’s Knees | Lemon, honey, gin & limoncello cocktail

This gin-based Bee’s Knees is the quintessential classic cocktail for anyone with a penchant for something tart and sour. As the name might suggest, a Bee’s Knees cocktail incorporates the warm sweetness of bee honey. This rich nectar takes the edge off the lemon and gin, rounding off the hard-hitting flavours and turning the drink into something that can be very easily imbibed. This version is a rosemary Bee’s Knees cocktail that captures the distinct woodsy, peppery fragrance of the rosemary herb.

Honey plays an important part in giving the cocktail a richer mouthfeel than simple syrup. We use a bold honey in this recipe that has a distinctively astringent quality. Its deep colour turns the cocktail a dark amber colour and lends a more sophisticated depth to the flavour. Opt for a delicate honey, such as clover honey or sage honey, to create something lighter.

Pure Honey vs. Honey Syrup

Pure honey can be used as-is in this rosemary Bee’s Knees cocktail recipe as long as it is of a runny consistency. If so, it can be incorporated directly into the shaker. If you have a honey that is particularly thick or viscous, you can make a simple honey syrup.

Honey Syrup Recipe

1 cup pure honey
1 cup water

Directions: Combine the honey and water in a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until the honey is fully incorporated. Remove the pot from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Transfer the syrup to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator. The syrup will last up to two weeks.

Looking for more sour cocktails? Check out these flavourful recipes:

• Rye whiskey sour + clove & star anise spiced syrup
• Naked & Famous Riff | Smoky mezcal, Bruto Americano, Chartreuse & sour lime cocktail
• The Fresh & Fruity | Sweet raspberry & limoncello Bentianna cocktail

Rosemary Bee’s Knees | Lemon, honey, gin & limoncello cocktail

Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy

This refreshingly tart and sour gin-based Bee’s Knees number is a classic lemon-and-honey cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. A twist of peppery rosemary imparts a subtle herbaceous fragrance.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 ounces gin (we use Marylebone Cask Aged Gin)

• 1/2 ounce limoncello

• 1/2 ounce lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce runny honey, or honey syrup (see recipe above)

• 1 sprig rosemary

• honeycomb slice & rosemary sprig to garnish

Preparation

• Add the gin, limoncello, lemon juice, honey, and rosemary sprig to a shaker.
• Top with ice, cover, and shake until chilled, about 15 seconds.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a fresh slice of honeycomb and rosemary sprig.

Notes

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Rosemary Bee’s Knees | Lemon, honey, gin & limoncello cocktail

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