The Bee's Knees

The Bee's Knees was born out of necessity in the 1920s, when bartenders needed something sweet enough to cover up the paint-thinner bite of bathtub gin. Honey became their secret weapon, and lucky for us, the drink stuck around long after we got our hands on decent spirits again. What makes this cocktail so brilliant is its simplicity. You've got bright lemon juice cutting through floral gin, while honey syrup smooths everything into something dangerously drinkable. The result tastes like sunshine with a botanical backbone, citrusy and sweet without being cloying. It's basically a gin sour that traded simple syrup for something with actual personality. This is your go-to when you want something refreshing but substantial, something that feels fancy without requiring a specialty liquor store run. Serve it ice-cold in a coupe glass, and suddenly you're in a velvet-curtained speakeasy instead of your kitchen. Give it a shake next time you need proof that the best drinks don't need complicated ingredient lists.