This Bees Knees cocktail recipe is a creative twist on the classic gin cocktail. Featuring fresh blood orange juice and a honey simple syrup, this take on the bees knees drink is refreshing, stunning and easy to make!

How do you make a bees knees cocktail?

The bees knees cocktail is often described as a gin and honey cocktail. Classically, a bees knees drink is made of three main components:

  • gin (2 ounces)
  • fresh lemon juice (1 ounce)
  • honey simply syrup (.75 ounce)

How do you make a bees knees cocktail?

It’s just like making a simple martini! Here’s the easy process:

  • Combine the gin, juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  • Shake vigorously
  • Strain into martini glasses

close up image of two halves of a blood orange

Mix it up: a few ways to give the bees knees cocktail a fun twist

Blood Orange Bees knees

First off, this blood orange version is a must-try. Not only does the blood orange add a vibrant pink color, but it also mellows the tart lemon just enough. An elegant cocktail just got even more elegant.

Lavender Bees Knees

Add a couple of dried lavender blossoms to the honey simple syrup while cooking over the stove; let cool syrup cool completely then strain lavender out before using.

Rosemary Bees Knees

Add a sprig of rosemary to the honey simple syrup while cooking over the stove; let cool syrup cool completely then strain lavender out before using.

Tequila Bees Knees

Swap the gin out for your preferred tequila.

Blood Orange Honey Bee | Zestful KitchenLooking for more blood orange cocktail recipes? I’ve got you covered!

Blood Orange Boston Sour Cocktail

Photograph of a prink cocktail in a coupe glass set on a marble table.

Blood Orange & Ginger Mimosa

Photograph of blood orange mimosas in champagne flutes

Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this Blood Orange Bees Knees cocktail.

To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can click the button on any of the photos, or the red button on the side bar or below the recipe. Cheers!

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Photograph of a pink cocktail in a martini glass set on a marble table

Blood Orange Honey Bee

  • Author: Lauren Grant Zestful Kitchen
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail + ¾ cup simple syrup 1x
  • Category: Cocktail
  • Method: Stove top
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Add some winter elegance to the classic honey bee cocktail with blood orange juice and a homemade honey simple syrup.


Ingredients

Scale

For 1 Bees Knees Cocktail

  • 2 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce honey simple syrup (*recipe below)
  • 1 ounce fresh blood orange juice
  • ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
  • Ice
  • Blood orange slice, for garnish

Honey Simple Syrup

  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup honey

Instructions

For 1 Bees Knees Cocktail

Add gin, simple syrup, blood orange juice, and lemon juice to a shaker; fill with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

For the honey simple syrup:

Heat water and honey over medium in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring until honey is completely dissolved and bubbles start to form around the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool.

 


Notes

Store syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 212
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 4mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Bees Knees cocktail, honey gin cocktail, gin cocktail

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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Comments

  1. Congrats!!! I love the organization you have going on here — I totally need to revamp the organization of my site and keep putting it off!! And I’ll cheers you with that drink ANY DAY!

  2. Congrats on the new site! Looks great and so does this delicious drink! Asking my hubby to make it for me!