Bee's Knees

Citrusy · Classic/vintage · Hall of Fame and must know/try

4.2 477 ratings

Ingredients

How to make

Flavour profile

16.9% alc./vol. · 1.4 standard drinks · 175 calories

History

Honey and lemon are often combined for cold relief, but this soothing drink can be enjoyed at any time. David Embury, in his 1948 book The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, is credited with adding a splash of orange juice to the classic Bee's Knees (gin, lemon, and honey). He noted, "The addition of a small amount of orange juice makes for an interesting variation".

For many years, David A. Embury was credited with the idea that the Bee's Knees emerged in America during Prohibition. The theory was that the lemon juice and honey in the cocktail masked the poor quality of gin. However, the Bee's Knees actually originated in Paris, France. Early in the book, the Bee's Knees was spoken of disparagingly. This was because, as it originally appeared during Prohibition, it consisted of equal parts lemon juice, honey, and gin. If made as a variation of the standard Gin Sour, with honey substituted for sugar syrup, it is acceptable. Jared Brown, a cocktail historian, uncovered an article in the April 22, 1929, edition of the Standard Union from Brooklyn, New York. The article reported on a trend in Paris for women's-only bars. The penultimate paragraph states, "The Bee's Knees is an invention of Mrs JJ Brown of Denver and Paris, widow of the famous miner, and is a rather sweet combination including honey and lemon." Mrs Margaret Brown (born Margaret Tobin in 1867, married to James Joseph Brown in 1886) was an American socialite and philanthropist. Since her death in 1932, she has become better known as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Her eventful life, including her survival of the Titanic disaster, inspired a 1960s Broadway musical and a subsequent 1964 film. The claim that this "partying American millionairess" created the Bee's Knees is disputed by the drink's first appearance in a cocktail book. The French 1929 publication Cocktails de Paris credits its creation to Frank Meier, head bartender at the Hôtel Ritz Paris. BEES' KNEES 1/6 jus de citron 1/6 Miel Faire ce mélange avant 2/3 Gordon's dry gin Frapper le tout Frank Meier, Bar de Ritz. Both the French book and the newspaper article crediting Mrs Margaret Brown were published in 1929 and confirm Paris as the birthplace of the Bee's Knees. It is possible that Meier made the cocktail for The Unsinkable Molly Brown, who was likely a patron of the Ritz, perhaps at her suggestion. Frank Meier's claim to the drink is reiterated in his 1936 book, The Artistry of Mixing Drinks. The recipe is accompanied by a design that signifies it was one of his own creations. Bees' Knees In shaker: the juice of one-quarter Lemon, a teaspoon of Honey, one-half glass of Gin; shake well and serve.

Created by Margaret “Unsinkable Molly” Brown