Your new cozy best friend is here: the Ginger Bee's Knees cocktail. It's unexpected and complexly flavored, but still approachable and simple to make at home. It's on repeat in our house all fall and winter and I'm very happy to be sharing it with you.
This cocktail is based on the Prohibition-era "Bee's Knees" cocktail, which is a gin cocktail with lemon and honey. It's a lovely drink because the bright lemon and floral honey pair beautifully with the flavors of the gin.
However, although the Bee's Knees is great in the summer, it's a little too light and fresh for the colder times of the year. The colder months call for more robust, complex flavors and darker-colored spirits. Enter my winter adaptation: the Ginger Bee's Knees. A few key swaps make this lemon ginger cocktail perfect for sipping in front of the fire.
There are two main changes that I've made to the classic Bee's Knees cocktail in order to make it feel right for the colder months. First, I use aged gin in place of regular. If you haven't tried aged gin before, you're in for a treat. It's barrel-aged and develops a deep amber color and a more complex flavor profile somewhat reminiscent of whiskey or aged tequila. Second, I add homemade ginger syrup in place of some of the honey. The ginger gives it a warm, cozy, wintry feel and complements the subtle bourbon notes that develop during the gin's time in the barrel.
These two swaps make for an aged gin cocktail that is surprisingly complex. The lemon and honey keep it light, but the ginger and aged gin make it feel right for a cold, dark night.
I can't discuss this drink without a major shout-out to a really incredible spirit made in Vermont: the Tom Cat from Barr Hill. It's an aged gin distilled from honey that is truly fabulous. If you don't think you're a gin fan, try the Tom Cat (and this aged gin cocktail in particular). This was my own personal gateway into gin and I think you're going to love it, especially if you enjoy other aged spirits like bourbon.
This lemon ginger cocktail relies upon two different simple syrups to get all that wonderful, cozy flavor into a drinkable form. If you've never made a simple syrup before, don't let the name intimidate you. It's easy to do at home, and a simple syrup keeps great in the fridge for weeks.
A simple syrup is just a 1:1 mixture of sugar and water, cooked down until it becomes thick and syrupy. It's a great way to capture flavors that are difficult to get into a liquid form otherwise. Because ginger is a solid and honey is very sticky and thick, you can't readily add either to a cocktail; they won't dissolve. That's why the simple syrup is a very powerful tool in mixology.
You'll actually be making two different syrups for this aged gin cocktail, but don't worry, they're both quick. For the ginger simple syrup, you'll be simmering fresh ginger in a sugar and water mixture. (Hint: save any extra for this Ginger Margarita, which is great for a winter taco night).
The honey simple syrup is a bit different since honey is essentially just sugar to begin with. You'll see below that I recommend just heating some honey in a bit of water until it dissolves.
Here's what you'll need for this lemon ginger cocktail, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I love classic cocktails, and the Bee's Knees is just about as classic as they get. Its origins date back to the 1920's, where it was supposedly invented in Paris, but then became very popular in the US at prohibition-era speakeasy clubs. I think there's something so special and nostalgic about classic cocktails, but I also like finding my own ways to update the flavors. This one is the best of both worlds: a classic base with a special, seasonal upgrade.
Enjoy this lemon ginger cocktail on a chilly fall, winter, or early spring evening. It pairs particularly nicely with fall foods like squash, root veggies, and apples. Cheers and stay warm!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
As with all my cocktail recipes, please enjoy responsibly!
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The classic prohibition-era Bee's Knees cocktail gets a fall-appropriate makeover with aged gin and cozy ginger. This versatile drink is full of surprising and complex flavors.
For the Ginger Simple Syrup
For the Honey Simple Syrup
For the Cocktail
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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