Bees Knees Batch Cocktail

I am in full preparation mode for my sister’s upcoming baby shower. We are doing a honeybee theme, I’ve been working on a beehive cake, honeycomb decorations, and honey-filled beverages, including this Bees Knees Batch Cocktail.

The Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition-era cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, and honey simple syrup. This batch cocktail version adds lemon seltzer to make it more of a sip-able day cocktail with a little bit of fizziness.

Ingredients (makes 20 servings; multiply/divide as needed):

• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup honey
• 2 cups fresh lemon juice
• 1 (750 ml) bottle gin
• 1 (1 l) bottle lemon seltzer

First, make your honey simple syrup. Add the water and honey to a pot over medium high heat and bring to a simmer. Stir until the honey and water are fully combined. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

You can also add this to a pint jar and refrigerate for up to one month.

When the mixture has cooled and you’re ready to make the batch cocktail, grab a pitcher (paid link) that holds at least 3 quarts.

Juice your lemons until you have 2 cups of lemon juice (about 10 to 12 lemons). Add to the pitcher.

Pour in the gin, followed by the simple syrup, and the lemon seltzer.

Stir to combine.

To serve, add ice to a rocks glass then fill with the mixture.

The seltzer helps lighten this drink up a bit, without taking away from the nice balance of citrus from the lemon, the juniper flavor of the gin, and the sweetness of the honey simple syrup.

I think this will be a fun cocktail to have at the bee-themed baby shower!