This co*cktail Sweetener Is (the Secret to) the Bee’s Knees (2024)

Honey syrup can be used in your co*cktails in a way similar to simple syrup, adding complexity as well as sweetness. It’s an essential ingredient in a Bee’s Knees, Gold Rush and Brown Derby, among others.

Keep in mind that different varieties of honey, and those harvested at different times of year, will have different strengths and flavor nuances. You may wish to use different types of honey according to the type of co*cktail you’ll be making with it. Milder honeys, such as clover and alfalfa, lend themselves well to brighter co*cktails, while richer and earthier varieties, like buckwheat, are best in dark-spirit drinks. Before making the syrup, you’ll want to taste the honey you’re using and adjust the proportion of honey to water accordingly; milder honeys may be best with a two-to-one ratio of honey to water.