This Blackberry Bee's Knees is a fun twist on a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, honey syrup and fresh blackberries.
For more blackberry drink ideas, check out our Homemade Blackberry Syrup recipe post.
What is a Bee's Knees?
The original Bee's Knees cocktail is a classic Prohibition-era drink made from gin, honey, lemon (and sometimes, orange) juice. It was believed that the honey would mask the aromas of the forbidden bathtub gin.
Today, this cocktail has become a timeless favorite. This aptly named libation nods to the bee's honey while using 1920's slang ("The Bee's Knees") to express its simply "The Best".
We'd have to agree - this drink is the cat's pajamas.
Ingredients for This Cocktail
This Blackberry Bee's Knees uses all the usual Bee's Knees ingredients plus the addition of a few fresh blackberries. It's a fun (and pretty!) way to add a fruity seasonal twist to this delicious gin drink. Here's what you'll need:
From left to right...
- Honey Syrup - This simple syrup gives this cocktail its signature floral flavor. Try it in our other recipe for Spicy Mezcal Margaritas!
- Blackberries
- Gin
- Lemon Juice - Freshly-squeezed, please!
Honey Syrup
This two ingredient cocktail syrup is a must for the home bar! Check out the full honey syrup post for more details and drink inspiration!
Best Gin to use in a Bee's Knees
This cocktail can be made with any style of gin you fancy. We typically opt for herbaceous, botanical-forward gins often found in the London Dry, Plymouth or New American style.
Some brands of gin pair especially well with the sweet and floral flavors of honey in this cocktail. Here are some of our favorite brands (and a few of their key tasting notes) to use in a Bee's Knees:
- Spring 44 - We chose to make our Blackberry Bee's Knees with Spring 44 for its unique earthy and floral notes that compliment the fruit and honey perfectly. This gin marries the London Dry and New American styles with a dry balance of juniper and botanical flavors like lavender, mint and jasmine.
- St. George Terroir - This New American Gin company makes beautifully complex gins hailing from California. Their 'Terroir' gin is infused with herbaceous notes of bay laurel and sage that go brilliantly with the blackberries in this drink.
- Bombay Sapphire - A London Dry style that is driven with flavors of juniper and citrus with a subtle spicy finish.
- Beefeater - This classic London Dry gin is a great inexpensive option to have in your home bar. This dry gin balances juniper and rich floral notes that pair well in many cocktails.
- Aviation - Great for those looking for a little less juniper and pine! Aviation is a softer style of gin featuring notes of lavender and orange peel - perfect for a Bee's Knees cocktail!
More Cocktails Recipes
Check out our entire collection of original cocktail recipes for more libation inspiration!
Recipe
Blackberry Bee's Knees
ADJUST SERVINGS
Special Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer
- 1 Fine-Mesh Cocktail/Tea Strainer
Ingredients
Blackberry Bee's Knees
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice freshly-squeezed
- 1 ounce Honey Syrup
- 3 - 4 blackberries
- Ice as needed for shaking and serving
- Additional blackberries, lemon twist or edible flowers Optional garnish
Honey Syrup (Enough for About 8 Cocktails)
- ½ Cup honey
- ½ Cup water
Instructions
Blackberry Bee's Knees
- Combine gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, blackberries and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until the shaker is frosted and nearly too cold to handle.
- Strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer into a chilled coupe or over rocks. Garnish with an additional blackberry, lemon twist or edible flowers, as desired. Serve immediately. Cheers!
Honey Syrup
- Heat water in a kettle, stovetop or microwave until simmering. In a heat-safe container combine water and honey. Stir until honey is thoroughly dissolved. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 month.
* A Note About Salt
Unless otherwise noted, all recipes on The Sage Apron are developed using Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. It is a great all-purpose salt for cooking and baking. If using table salt, reduce quantities by about half.
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