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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Quick Lavender Bee’s Knees Gin Cocktail

    Published: Jan 11, 2021 · Updated: May 4, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Lavender Bee's Knees

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Bitters give a cocktail that certain something, and in this Lavender Bee's Knees they are the key ingredient. The addition of lavender bitters creates a delicious twist on a classic gin cocktail.

    Lavender Bee's Knees
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make a Lavender Bee's Knees
    • Recipe Tips
    • Don't Miss These Gin and Honey Cocktails
    • FAQs and Substitutions
    • Happy Hour Snack Pairings
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Lavender Bee’s Knees Recipe

    A Bee's Knees cocktail is a classic that's been on drink menus since the Prohibition era. Adding lavender bitters creates a delightful floral twist on this classic cocktail with minimal effort.

    Honey simple syrup is quick and easy to make and since it lasts for weeks, it's something I keep in the refrigerator at all times. Which is why I use lavender bitters to flavor this cocktail - no special lavender honey syrup required! (Though if you want to make some, use my lavender syrup recipe and just swap out honey for the sugar.)

    Garnish this drink with a sugar rim to make your cocktail feel extra special. Run a slice of lemon around part or all of the rim of your glass, then dip it into a shallow dish filled with sugar. I used colored sugar in the photos here, but that's entirely up to you!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for a Lavender Bee's Knees.
    • Your favorite gin
    • A lemon⁠
    • Honey syrup⁠
    • Lavender bitters

    How to Make a Lavender Bee's Knees

    Combine gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and lavender bitters together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. 

    Pouring lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.

    Shake well. 

    Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass.

    Enjoy! ⁠

    Lavender Bee's Knees
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    Recipe Tips

    • Make your honey syrup ahead of time so it has plenty of time to chill in the refrigerator. It should be cold before using it in your drink.
    • This is a small cocktail, designed to be sipped, so serving it in a chilled glass is ideal. To chill your glass, fill it with ice before starting your cocktail preparation. Once your drink is done, toss out the ice (and any water that's melted along with it), and strain in your drink.

    Don't Miss These Gin and Honey Cocktails

    Bee's Knees
    Bee's Knees Cocktail
    Honey Orange Gin Cocktails
    Honey Orange Gin Cocktail

    FAQs and Substitutions

    Can I used bottled lemon juice in this drink?

    There are only 4 ingredients, so fresh lemon juice is a must in this drink. One lemon should provide enough juice for at least 2 cocktails. Before you cut into it, roll your lemon on the counter while firmly pressing down to help the lemon release as much juice as possible.

    How do you make honey simple syrup?

    Heat ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Add ½ cup honey into the hot water and stir until the honey dissolves. Be sure to make the syrup ahead of your cocktail hour so it has time to chill before you make your cocktail. Shaking up a cocktail with warm syrup will make the ice start to melt quickly in the shaker, putting too much water in your drink.

    How should I garnish a Lavender Bee's Knees?

    You can garnish with a thin slice of lemon, a lemon twist, or even fresh lavender sprigs, but my favorite garnish for this Lavender Bee's Knees recipe is a sugar rim. How to do it: Before you make your cocktail, run a lemon slice on the edge of your glass and dip the glass into a shallow plate of raw or colored sugar. You can also mix crushed lavender flowers into the sugar for an extra special touch.

    Where can I find lavender bitters?

    Most stores that carry liquor also carry bitters. Look for them in the section with cocktail mixers and garnishes. You can also buy lavender bitters online. I love Scrappy's Lavender Bitters in this cocktail.

    Happy Hour Snack Pairings

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    BBQ Oyster Crackers

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    Print the Recipe Card

    Print

    Lavender Bee’s Knees Recipe

    Lavender Bee's Knees
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    The addition of lavender bitters creates a delicious twist on a classic gin cocktail. 

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Cocktail Shaker
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz gin
    • 1 oz lemon juice
    • 1 oz honey syrup
    • 3 dashes lavender bitters

    Instructions

    Combine everything together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 

    Shake well. 

    Strain into a glass.

    Equipment

    Image of Nick and Nora

    Nick and Nora

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    Image of Cocktail Shaker

    Cocktail Shaker

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    Image of Lavender Bitters

    Lavender Bitters

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    Keywords: gin cocktail, lavender bitters, bees knees, lavender bees knees, gin drinks, classic cocktail, classic drink

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

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    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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