Strawberry Bee's Knees Cocktail #FLStrawberry #SundaySupper

Ingredients

• 60 mlgin (or vodka, if preferred)
• 4Florida strawberries
• 30 mlstrawberry honey syrup (see below)
• 30 mlfresh lemon juice
• To tasteice
• To tastestrawberry or lemon twist, to garnish
• 60 mlstrawberry raw honey (or unflavoured natural honey)
• 60 mlhot water

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the syrup

   Put the strawberry honey and hot water in a jar. Close it and shake vigorously until the honey has dissolved; do not heat the mixture in a pan. Refrigerate any syrup you do not use.

2. 2

   Muddle strawberries

   Put the strawberries and strawberry honey syrup in a cocktail shaker and muddle until the berries release their juice. For more juice, leave the mixture to stand for a few minutes.

3. 3

   Add ingredients

   Add the remaining cocktail ingredients to the shaker.

4. 4

   Shake until chilled

   Shake the mixture until it is chilled.

5. 5

   Strain and serve

   Strain into a martini glass or coupe, or serve over ice in a mason jar.

6. 6

   Add the garnish

   Finish with a strawberry or a lemon twist.

7. 7

   Adjust to taste

   For a tarter drink, add more lemon juice. For a less sweet one, reduce the strawberry honey syrup.

What is a Bee’s Knees?

The Bee’s Knees is a gin cocktail traditionally built around citrus and a sweetener. It is associated with the Prohibition era in the United States, when honey and lemon were used to soften the taste of gin.

This version brings strawberries into the mix, muddling them with honey syrup for a fruity, seasonal variation. Lemon keeps the drink lively, while the syrup makes it easy to adjust the sweetness.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 225 calories, 1g protein, 24g carbs, 0g fat.

Most of the calories come from the gin and the honey syrup; the syrup and strawberries also provide most of the carbohydrates, while lemon juice contributes a smaller amount. There is little protein or fat. Pair the cocktail with a plate of vegetables and a protein-rich savoury snack to make the occasion more balanced.

Making the strawberry honey syrup

Dissolve gently: shake the honey with hot water in a jar until no clumps remain. The method specifically avoids heating the honey in a pan.

Save the extra: the cocktail uses 30 ml of syrup, so refrigerate any remainder in a sealed jar.

Muddling the fruit

Press the strawberries in the shaker with the syrup until they are juicy, rather than trying to crush them into a smooth purée. Letting the mixture sit for a few minutes is an optional way to draw out more juice.

Balancing sweet and tart

Start with the stated amounts of syrup and lemon, then taste and adjust to preference. More lemon makes the drink tarter; using less syrup reduces its sweetness.

Fresh lemon juice gives the cocktail its citrus component. Add any extra gradually so it does not overwhelm the strawberry and honey.

Shaking and straining

Shake the cocktail until chilled, then strain it into your chosen glass. Straining leaves the muddled fruit behind while keeping its flavour in the drink.

Choosing a glass and serving

A martini glass or coupe gives the drink a classic cocktail presentation, while a mason jar over ice makes for a more casual serve. Garnish with a strawberry or lemon twist.

Serve it alongside a savoury snack or a light appetiser if you want something to nibble with the cocktail.

Recipe notes & tips

• Muddle the strawberries until they are juicy so their flavour reaches the syrup.
• Let the muddled fruit and syrup stand for a few minutes if you want to draw out more juice.
• Shake until the drink is chilled before straining.
• Add extra lemon juice a little at a time when adjusting the tartness.
• Make the syrup in a jar and shake until the honey dissolves rather than heating it in a pan.

Variations

• Use vodka: Swap the gin for vodka if you prefer.
• Make it tarter: Add a little more fresh lemon juice to taste.
• Reduce the sweetness: Use less strawberry honey syrup.
• Serve over ice: Pour the strained cocktail over ice in a mason jar.
• Choose a garnish: Finish with either a strawberry or a lemon twist.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Heating the honey: The method calls for shaking it with hot water in a jar, not cooking it in a pan.
• Skipping the muddle: Press the strawberries until they release their juice so they flavour the drink.
• Overdoing the lemon: Add extra juice gradually and taste as you go.
• Using all the syrup: Measure 30 ml for the cocktail and refrigerate any remainder.
• Serving without chilling: Shake the ingredients until chilled before straining.

How to store

Serve the cocktail freshly made. Refrigerate unused strawberry honey syrup in a sealed jar; the recipe does not specify how long it keeps.

Frequently asked questions