The Bee Sting: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Honey drips slowly from a spoon, catching warm light as it falls into a tin. A bartender slices a fresh chili—its seeds sharp with heat—then gently shakes gin, lemon, honey, and spice into a shimmering elixir. The drink is golden, inviting, and aromatic. But the moment it hits your palate, you understand the name: sweet… then suddenly, a sting.

This is the Bee Sting—a modern spicy riff on the Bee’s Knees that marries the softness of honey with the fiery bite of chili. It’s a contemporary cocktail, beloved in craft bars for its balance of sweetness, brightness, and heat. Though not pre-Prohibition, the Bee Sting has become a defining drink of the 21st-century craft movement.

Let’s explore its origin story, the evolution of spicy honey drinks, the cultural forces behind the trend, and how to make a perfect Bee Sting at home.

I. Origins

The Bee’s Knees—gin + honey + lemon—dates to the Prohibition era and was designed to mask rough bathtub gin. Its simplicity and bright flavor profile led to a massive revival during the early stages of the craft cocktail movement.

Birth of the Bee Sting

The Bee Sting is a natural evolution of the Bee’s Knees, inspired by the rise of:

• chili-infused honey

• spicy margaritas

• heat-balanced modern cocktails

It first appeared in the early 2000s in craft bars experimenting with spicy honey syrup, often using:

• jalapeño

• serrano

• habanero (rare and dangerous!)

• Thai chili

The concept:“A Bee’s Knees… but with a sting.”

No single bartender is credited—like many modern classics, it evolved organically across cocktail menus in New York, Los Angeles, London, and even speakeasy-inspired bars in Melbourne and Seoul.

Why It Works

Honey is both:

• floral and soft

• rich in natural sugars

• an excellent carrier for infusion

Chili adds:

• sharp heat

• vegetal brightness

• aromatic complexity

Gin anchors the cocktail with botanicals that complement both ingredients.

II. Historical Evolution

Prohibition Roots

The original Bee’s Knees used honey to soften rough spirits. It was the foundation upon which later riffs, including the Bee Sting, would build.

1990s–2000s: The Return of Honey Cocktails

As bartenders sought artisanal ingredients, honey made a comeback. Craft distilleries and bars began highlighting raw, wildflower, acacia, and clover honeys.

Rise of Spicy Drinks

The late 2000s saw:

• spicy margaritas

• chili mezcal cocktails

• jalapeño-infused syrups

• hot honey culinary trends

This set the stage for the Bee Sting to thrive.

Modern Craft Bars

Today, the Bee Sting appears on:

• gin bar menus

• farm-to-glass cocktail programs

• seasonal drink lists

• tiki bars leaning into spicy-sweet profiles

Its flexibility, visual appeal, and culinary depth make it a modern favorite.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Bee Sting is minimalistic, but each element matters.

Gin

The drink works best with:

• London Dry (classic, clean)

• New Western (botanical, citrus-forward)Avoid overly piney gins—they clash with chili heat.

Honey Syrup

Honey must be diluted to mix properly. Standard ratio:

• 2 parts honey : 1 part warm water

For a Bee Sting, infuse honey with:

• thin slices of jalapeño or serrano

• seeds included for heat

• a controlled 30–60 minute infusion

Lemon Juice

Fresh only. This is non-negotiable. Lemon cuts through the sweetness and heat.

Chili

Most bartenders use:

• Jalapeño (balanced, approachable)

• Serrano (sharper heat)

The chili can be:

• infused in the honey

• muddled

• or added as a garnish

Texture

The Bee Sting is shaken vigorously to create:

• aeration

• integration

• a silky mouthfeel

IV. Cultural Significance

A Bridge Between Culinary & Cocktail Worlds

The rise of hot honey in kitchens—from fried chicken to pizza—directly influenced mixologists. The Bee Sting mirrors this culinary shift.

A Modern Flavor Profile

Contemporary drinkers crave:

• heat

• acid

• sweetness

• botanical complexity

The Bee Sting delivers all four in one glass.

Instagram & Visual Culture

Its golden hue and chili garnish make it highly photogenic, contributing to its popularity in:

• modern cocktail bars

• social media

• tasting menus

A “Gateway Spicy” Cocktail

Unlike spicy margaritas (which can be bold), the Bee Sting is:

• gentle

• fragrant

• balanced

It’s the spicy cocktail even non-spicy drinkers enjoy.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Bee Sting

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) gin

• ¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice

• ¾ oz (22 ml) spicy honey syrup (see notes)

• 2–3 thin jalapeño slices (optional for extra heat)

Method

1. Add gin, lemon juice, and spicy honey syrup to a shaker with ice.

2. Add jalapeño slices if you want more bite.

3. Shake hard for 10–12 seconds.

4. Double-strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.

5. Garnish with a jalapeño slice, lemon peel, or a stripe of chili-infused honey.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe (classic) or rocks (modern)

• Ice: None (up) or large cube (rocks)

• Garnish: Jalapeño slice or honey stripe

• Style: Spicy, floral, citrus-forward

Technique Notes

• Taste syrup periodically during infusion—heat varies by chili.

• Don’t muddle too aggressively; bitterness can result.

• Shake hard enough to integrate honey fully.

• Double-strain to avoid chili seeds in the glass.

Variations & Lineage

• Smoked Bee Sting: Use mezcal + spicy honey

• Bee’s Knees Original: No heat, classic honey + gin

• Scotch Bee Sting: Peated Scotch for smoky depth

• Tiki Bee Sting: Add pineapple juice + overproof rum float

• Herbal Bee Sting: Add ¼ oz green Chartreuse

Service & Pairing Tip

• Ideal with tacos, fried chicken, Thai curries, sushi, or grilled vegetables.

• Avoid pairing with dessert—heat + sugar + sweet food clashes.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

The Bee Sting in the Craft Era

It represents everything modern bars love:

• fresh citrus

• real honey

• controlled heat

• clean, bright gin

It’s the perfect cocktail to show off balance and technique.

A Drink With Staying Power

The Bee Sting is likely to remain a modern classic because it blends:

• familiar flavors

• culinary creativity

• simple ingredients

• easy adaptability

Legacy

The Bee Sting stands as a testament to how a century-old cocktail (the Bee’s Knees) can evolve into something bold, contemporary, and beautifully layered.

A sweet beginning.A citrus punch.And finally—a sting.