The Bee’s Knees Lavender: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Some cocktails whisper their elegance; others perfume the entire room. The Bee’s Knees Lavender does both. It carries the sunny optimism of the Jazz Age, the botanical clarity of modern craft gin, and the aromatic romance of lavender fields in Provence. What began as a prohibition-era lemon-honey gin sour has evolved—through contemporary bartenders and home enthusiasts—into a floral, refined expression that feels both nostalgic and unmistakably modern.

This is the story of how a speakeasy classic met a botanical renaissance and emerged with new grace.

I. Origins

The Bee’s Knees Begins in the Jazz Age

The original Bee’s Knees emerged during Prohibition (1920–1933), when bootleg gin needed all the help it could get. Honey—luxurious, fragrant, and richly textured—was a natural mixer, masking rough edges and elevating cocktails beyond their illegal origins.

The phrase “the bee’s knees” itself was 1920s slang for something excellent or the height of fashion. Naming a cocktail after it was both branding and bravado—an assurance that even in illicit basements, elegance could reign.

How Lavender Enters the Story

Lavender is not part of the original Bee’s Knees recipe. Its rise corresponds to the botanical gin revolution beginning in the early 21st century:

• Gin distillers introduced floral, herbaceous profiles.

• Bartenders explored culinary ingredients—thyme, rosemary, chamomile, rose.

• Lavender honey gained popularity in upscale kitchens.

• Modern cocktail culture embraced aromatics and sensory storytelling.

Lavender found its place in the Bee’s Knees precisely because the original is a minimalist, honey-forward canvas. A small adjustment radically shifts the physics of the drink:

• Honey → becomes floral honey syrup

• Lemon → sharpens the contrast

• Gin → enhances botanical resonance

• Lavender → adds elegance, perfume, identity

Thus, the Bee’s Knees Lavender is not merely a riff. It is a natural evolution of a recipe built on purity, citrus, sweetness, and botanicals.

II. Historical Evolution

From Speakeasy Necessity to Modern Darling

The Prohibition Bee’s Knees was designed to cuddle up against bad gin. But by mid-century, as gin quality improved, the drink fell somewhat out of fashion. The Martini and Tom Collins overshadowed it. It was not until the early 2000s—when bartenders revisited pre-Prohibition classics—that the Bee’s Knees returned to menus:

• Honey cocktails felt fresh compared to ubiquitous simple syrup.

• Citrus-forward drinks matched the turn toward lighter, brighter flavors.

• Speakeasy culture made the 1920s glamorous again.

Lavender’s Arrival

The Lavender Bee’s Knees rises to prominence in the 2010s, when cocktail programs embraced:

• House-made syrups

• Garden-to-glass philosophy

• Floral distillations

• Aromatherapeutic cocktails

Lavender appealed to bartenders because:

• It amplifies gin’s botanicals.

• It plays beautifully with honey.

• It provides a signature aroma from the first sip.

• It bridges culinary and bar worlds.

Lavender syrups began appearing in boutique cafés, upscale bars, and lavender farms that produced artisanal honey.

A Modern Classic Is Born

By the late 2010s, the Lavender Bee’s Knees became a brunch staple, a wedding signature cocktail, and a craft gin tasting-room favorite. It is now firmly rooted in the repertoire of contemporary classics—a Prohibition relic polished with the sophistication of the modern botanical era.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The beauty of the Bee’s Knees Lavender lies in its ingredient purity:

1. Gin

The gin defines the cocktail’s structure. Ideal choices:

• New Western/Botanical gin — lavender-friendly, floral, soft.

• London Dry gin — crisp backbone, citrus-focused.

• Citrus-forward craft gins — bright and modern.

Avoid gins with heavy juniper or spices that compete with lavender.

2. Honey

Honey provides sweetness and flavor. Lavender honey amplifies the theme, but any high-quality honey works. Important notes:

• Honey must be diluted into a honey syrup (typically 1:1) for proper integration.

• Floral honeys introduce perfume.

• Dark honeys add depth but may overshadow lavender.

3. Lavender

Lavender can enter the drink in three ways:

• Lavender honey syrup – the most balanced approach.

• Lavender simple syrup – requires precise infusion to avoid soapiness.

• Lavender bitters – subtle, controlled, aromatic.

The key is restraint. A Bee’s Knees should whisper lavender, not shout it.

4. Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable. It shapes the drink’s structure:

• Bright acidity

• Floral highlight

• Connection to honey’s warmth

• Crisp finish

5. Balance

The Bee’s Knees Lavender succeeds when:

• Honey is lush but not heavy

• Lavender is aromatic but not perfumey

• Citrus is crisp but not tart

• Gin remains the anchor

This drink is a dance of lightness and texture.

IV. Cultural Significance

1. A Bridge Between Eras

The Lavender Bee’s Knees marries:

• Prohibition resilience (the original Bee’s Knees)

• Farm-to-glass craft movement (modern lavender syrups)

• Aromatherapy & wellness culture (lavender’s calming associations)

• Botanical gin renaissance

It feels both vintage and fresh.

2. A Culinary-Cocktail Hybrid

Lavender’s popularity in culinary circles—especially French and California cuisine—helped normalize herbs in cocktails. This drink represents a broader trend: chefs and bartenders working in harmony.

3. An Aesthetic Icon

The Lavender Bee’s Knees is a modern social media star:

• Soft pastel tones

• Coupe glass elegance

• Garden-party energy

• Photogenic garnishes (lavender sprigs, lemon twists)

It thrives in wedding menus, brunch events, farm-to-table restaurants, and luxury spas.

4. A Drink for a Mindful Era

Lavender evokes calm. Honey evokes natural sweetness. Gin evokes botanical complexity. Together, they make a cocktail that feels intentional, grounded, and restorative.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Bee’s Knees Lavender

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) gin

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) lavender honey syrup*

• Optional: 1–2 drops lavender bitters

• Garnish: lavender sprig or expressed lemon peel

*Lavender Honey Syrup:1 part honey + 1 part warm water + 3–5 small dried lavender buds.Steep 10–20 minutes, strain.

Method

1. Add gin, lemon, and lavender honey syrup to a shaker.

2. Fill with ice.

3. Shake hard until chilled and frothy.

4. Double strain into a chilled coupe.

5. Garnish delicately with a lavender sprig or lemon peel.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe or Nick & Nora

• Ice: None (served up)

• Garnish: Lavender sprig or lemon peel

• Style: Floral gin sour

Technique Notes

• Over-steeping lavender causes bitterness—taste frequently.

• Use fresh lemon; bottled juice flattens the drink.

• Adjust sweetness by altering honey syrup concentration.

• Shake vigorously to achieve a silky, cohesive texture.

Variations & Lineage

• Lavender Lemon Bee’s Knees: Add a dash of lavender bitters for intensity.

• French Garden Bee’s Knees: Add a barspoon of St-Germain.

• Smoked Lavender Bee’s Knees: Lightly flame a lavender sprig before garnishing.

• Sparkling Lavender Bee’s Knees: Top with dry sparkling wine for brunch.

• Herbal Bee’s Knees: Add thyme or rosemary sprigs to syrup infusion.

Service & Pairing Tip

• Perfect with pastries, fruit tarts, chèvre, salads with edible flowers, or lightly smoked fish.

• Ideal for brunch, spring celebrations, garden parties, and spa retreats.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

Why the Lavender Bee’s Knees Endures

1. Simplicity: Three ingredients plus lavender.

2. Versatility: Works in every season but feels especially spring-forward.

3. Elegance: Light, breezy, refined.

4. Craft identity: Celebrates honey, botanicals, and artisanal gin.

A Cocktail for the Botanical Future

As distillers experiment with:

• lavender-forward gins

• honey-fermented spirits

• local botanicals

• terroir-driven London Dry expressions

…the Lavender Bee’s Knees becomes a natural ambassador for the botanical cocktail era.

This drink will likely remain a pillar of garden-party menus and spring cocktail lists for decades to come.