Pioneer Woman Bee’s Knees

Pioneer Woman Bee's Knees turns gin, honey syrup and fresh lemon juice into a bright, silky classic gin cocktail in 15 minutes. Save this easy honey lemon gin cocktail recipe for spring happy hour, bridal showers, brunch or summer dinner parties, because it's a simple shaken drink.

Shake the drink hard with plenty of ice for a full 10 seconds, because that chills and dilutes it just enough. Skip the shake and it tastes sharp and warm instead of smooth.

Making a honey syrup first thins the honey so it blends into the gin and lemon without clumping at the bottom of the shaker. Straining into a chilled coupe keeps every sip cold without watering it down.

Pioneer Woman Bee's Knees

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Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

210

kcal

Gin, honey syrup and lemon juice shake into a smooth, herbal cocktail with a bright citrus finish. Chilling the glass keeps each sip crisp from start to finish.

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. honey
  

• 1/4 c. hot water
  

• 2 oz. gin
  

• 1 oz. honey syrup
  

• 1 oz. lemon juice
  

• Edible flowers or a lemon twist
  

Directions

• Make the honey syrup: Combine 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup hot water in a liquid measuring cup and whisk until smooth. Then set it aside to cool to room temperature.
• Chill the syrup: Pop the cooled syrup in the refrigerator until you're ready to mix the drink. That way it goes straight into the shaker cold.
• Fill the shaker: Add 2 oz. gin, 1 oz. honey syrup and 1 oz. lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover it tightly so nothing leaks when you start shaking.
• Shake it: Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frosty. That chills the drink and gives it a light, silky texture.
• Strain and garnish: Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass. Then top it with edible flowers or a lemon twist and serve right away.

Tools for this recipe

• OXO Steel cocktail shaker, Zulay metal lemon squeezer, OXO steel double jigger. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I make a batch of these ahead for a party?

Mix the gin, honey syrup and lemon juice in a pitcher up to a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Shake each serving with ice right before pouring, since the ice is what gives the drink its chill and silky texture.

How far ahead can I make the honey syrup?

Stored in a covered jar in the fridge, the honey syrup keeps for up to two weeks. Make a double batch and you can use the extra in lemonade or iced tea.

What can I use if I don't own a cocktail shaker?

A tightly lidded mason jar works just as well. Fill it with ice and the ingredients, screw the lid on firmly, then shake and strain through a small sieve.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice tastes brighter and gives the drink its clean, balanced finish. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but the cocktail will taste flatter and a little sharper.

What's the most common mistake with this cocktail?

Using honey straight from the jar is the usual culprit, since thick honey sinks and never mixes evenly. Thinning it into a syrup first fixes that and keeps every sip balanced.