Bee's Knees

Last night, I had a soccer game that started at 10pm.  I don't know about you, but by 10pm, the last thing I want to do is sprint and run around.  Perhaps the worst part is the brief opportunity to cool-down before trying to go to sleep.  It never quite works.

Some friends have recommended drinking a beer before heading to bed.  That might work for someone else, but it doesn't sound too appealing to me.  If the game were earlier, a beer might go over well, but just before turning in, I'd just assume pass. 

Today's drink though, doesn't sound half bad. The Bee's Knees is the drink, named after a phrase that is meant to describe something that's top shelf.  Also, it's a nice little allusion to the use of honey in the cocktail. 

The Ultimate Book of Cocktails page 129

Bee's Knees

1 1/2 oz gin
1/4 oz honey
1/4 oz lemon juice

Shake the ingredients very well with ice to integrate the honey, and strain into a cocktail glass.

For this cocktail, I'm using New Amsterdam gin, Nellie and Joe's Key West Lemon Juice, and locally produced honey.

This is a very easy, very good cocktail.  If you like gin, this is an especially good cocktail that yields good gin flavor, while also leaving the door open for the rest of the ingredients to enter the mix. 

The drink will sometimes taste like a strong alcoholic lemonade, but for the most part there is exceptionally clean gin flavors that are both refreshing and at times, lip-smacking.

I'm a big fan of this cocktail, and would pair it with something spicy, as it would be the perfect cocktail to counterbalance any heat.  And, if you have a late night soccer game, think of it like the alcoholic version of orange wedges you used to get after Little League games. 

See you on Friday!