A brief history of the humble Cocktail
What we know today as “Cocktails” first came into favor in the United States during the late 19th century, particularly in the 1880s and 1890s. This period is known as the “Golden Age of Cocktails,” and it saw the creation of many classic cocktail recipes that are still popular today, such as the Martini, the Manhattan, and the Old Fashioned.
During this time, the cocktail culture flourished in large cities like New York, where bartenders competed to create new and innovative drinks to impress their clientele. The popularity of cocktails was driven in part by the growth of the middle class, who had more disposable income to spend on drinks and socializing.
Cocktails also gained popularity as a result of the protestant temperance movement or “teetotalers” as they were known which led to Prohibition, which began in 1920 and lasted until 1933. During this time, the production and sale of alcoholic beverages were illegal in the United States, which led to the rise of speakeasies and clandestine drinking establishments. Bartenders in these establishments had to be creative with the ingredients they had available, leading to the creation of new and unique cocktails.
Today, cocktails remain a popular choice for socializing and entertaining, with new recipes and variations constantly being dreamed up and enjoyed by people around the globe.
The name “Bee’s Knees” was a popular slang term during the Prohibition era, meaning “the best” or “excellent”, and was often used to describe anything that was considered to be of high quality.
The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Here’s a recipe for you to try:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or a sprig of fresh thyme, if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious Bee’s Knees cocktail!
Note: To make honey syrup, combine equal parts honey and hot water, stir until dissolved, and let cool before using in your cocktail.
