Bee's Kiss Cocktail

The Bee's Kiss is a delightful and decadent twist on the classic Bee's Knees. By adding heavy cream, the cocktail transforms from a sharp, refreshing sour into a smooth, dessert-like libation. The gin's botanicals are softened by the cream, while the honey and lemon provide a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. It's a rich, velvety cocktail that feels both classic and indulgent.
Bee's Kiss Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Bee's Kiss is classified as a classic cocktail from the Prohibition era. Due to its rich and creamy nature, it also falls into the category of a dessert drink, often served after a meal.

Serving

Served "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe glass, the Bee's Kiss is a moderately strong cocktail with a rich, creamy texture.
Serving size
Approximately 4.5 oz / 135 ml
Alcohol content
~16-19% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Originating during the Prohibition era in the United States, the Bee's Kiss, much like its cousin the Bee's Knees, used strong flavors like honey and lemon to mask the harsh taste of bathtub gin. The addition of cream provided a luxurious texture, making it a popular after-dinner or dessert cocktail in speakeasies.
Origin
United States, Prohibition Era (1920s).

Bee's Kiss Cocktail

The drink is consistently known as the Bee's Kiss, without any common alternative names or translations.
Original name
Bee's Kiss

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a velvety, creamy texture and a pale yellow appearance, with a balanced flavor profile of sweet honey, tart lemon, and a rich mouthfeel.
Flavor
Creamy, honeyed, lemony, botanical
Aroma
Honey, lemon, cream, juniper
Taste balance
Sweet, sour, creamy
Aftertaste
Smooth, sweet, lingering citrus
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, pale yellow, creamy white
Texture
Rich, creamy, velvety, smooth
Seasonality
Indulgent, year-round, slightly warming

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by its creaminess, with a strong balance of sweet and sour notes and a moderate alcohol presence. It is not bitter, salty, or spicy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This creamy cocktail requires four main ingredients: gin, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, and heavy cream.
  • Gin2 ounces / 60 ml
    A London Dry Gin is recommended for its classic botanical structure.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice0.75 ounce / 22.5 ml
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor.
  • Honey Syrup0.75 ounce / 22.5 ml
    Use a 2:1 ratio of honey to hot water, stirred until dissolved and cooled.
  • Heavy Cream1 ounce / 30 ml
    Use heavy cream (around 35% milk fat) for the best texture. Half-and-half can be substituted for a lighter version.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

A cocktail shaker is essential for emulsifying the cream and chilling the drink, while double-straining ensures a silky smooth texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Hawthorne strainer and fine-mesh strainer for a double strain.

Instructions

The key to this drink is shaking well, preferably with a dry shake first, to create a smooth, frothy texture before straining into a chilled glass and garnishing.
1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
2. Combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker.
3. Optional but recommended: Perform a 'dry shake' (shaking without ice) for 15 seconds to help emulsify the cream and create a richer foam.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice, seal it, and shake vigorously for another 15-20 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
5. Double-strain the cocktail (pouring through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer) into the chilled coupe glass.
6. Garnish with a light grating of fresh nutmeg on top of the foam.

Garnishing

A simple dusting of freshly grated nutmeg over the drink's surface adds a wonderful aromatic complexity and is the traditional garnish.
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, lightly dusted over the top of the drink.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains dairy (heavy cream), making it unsuitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, and it is not vegan. It is, however, vegetarian and free from eggs, nuts, and gluten.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively high-calorie cocktail due to the heavy cream and honey syrup, with a moderate amount of sugar and carbohydrates.
Calories
Averagely 280-330 kcal / 1170-1380 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is best suited as a dessert drink or a rich after-dinner treat. Its creamy texture makes it a wonderful nightcap or a drink for a special celebration.
  • After-dinner
  • Dessert
  • Special Occasion

Pairing suggestions

Best enjoyed by itself as a liquid dessert, it can also be paired with simple, not-too-sweet desserts like shortbread or a bowl of fresh berries to complement its flavors.
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Light pastries
  • Fresh berries
  • On its own as a dessert

The Bee's Kiss: A Creamy Prohibition Classic

The Bee's Kiss is a Prohibition-era gem that offers a luxurious, creamy take on the more familiar Bee's Knees. It balances gin's botanical character with the sweet and sour notes of honey and lemon, all enveloped in a velvety texture from heavy cream. Perfect as an after-dinner drink or a decadent treat, the Bee's Kiss is a smooth, sophisticated, and satisfying classic cocktail.

Similar Cocktails

Bee's Knees

The original version of this drink, made without the heavy cream, resulting in a sharp and refreshing gin sour.

Alexander

A family of creamy cocktails, typically made with gin or brandy, crème de cacao, and cream. It is sweeter and more chocolate-forward.

White Lady

Also a gin sour, but uses Cointreau for sweetness instead of honey, and often incorporates egg white for texture instead of cream.

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