Bee's Knees Cocktail

Bee's Knees

With our outdoor space taking shape, I've been spending a lot of my time outside. If you live in the south, you know that must mean I really like my new table because being outside in the summer feels like sitting in an oven. 

We went to dinner with my husband's godparents the other night to catch up with them. I love his godmother. She is stylish, smart, fun-loving and sassy. You better believe if you serve her a cocktail she doesn't like, she's sending it back...as many times as it takes to get it right (one of the attributes that makes me love her). She's as southern as they come. You won't catch her outside of the house without her face fixed. She once told a waiter to wash off some of his cologne because it was so strong she couldn't enjoy her meal. Ha! She is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and gets it. 

I admire that. 

We introduced them to a new restaurant down the road from our home. They had just returned from a trip to NYC to visit their daughter. The waiter came to take our order. "I'll have the bee's knees" she said. I had never heard of it. "I tried it at a restaurant in New York. It was their specialty. I just like something refreshing with my meal."

I tasted a sip of it and loved it, which was surprising because I'm not much for gin. 

Being out in the heat, I got a craving for that refreshing sipper I had with my godmother-in-law. 

I drove to our local package store and picked up what they called a 'sweeter gin' to make my drink. The first one didn't come out too well and I'll tell you why. This recipe calls for honey. The problem with honey in a cold drink is that it doesn't melt. For the second batch I poured my honey into a small pot on the stove with a little water and made it into a simple syrup. Voila! This little trick made all the difference. 

I added a few chamomile flowers for garnish because honey and chamomile go together so naturally. It also looks like a little cup of sunshine. :)

Bee's Knees

Preparation: 5 min

                  Cook Time: 0 min  Total Time: 10 min                       

Ingredients

        

          2 oz gin

          3/4 oz lemon juice

          1 oz honey simple syrup (2 tbsp honey + 2 tbsp water)

Instructions

        

          Boil honey with water until honey disintegrates (about 1-2 min). This recipe makes one drink so portion 

          accordingly. Allow the simple syrup to cool. I stick mine in the fridge. In a shaker combine all ingredients 

          with ice until well blended. This drink is usually served in a martini glass, but I serve mine in a low ball 

          glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with a lemon twist or a few chamomile flowers.