By The Back Story
You’ve probably heard the expression, “You’re the bee’s knees,” but have you heard of the Bee’s Knees cocktail?
This classic Prohibition-era drink has been gaining popularity recently. It’s a delightful blend of gin, honey, and lemon. Trendy bars have started featuring it on their menus, and it even ranks as the 30th most popular cocktail on a popular booze-centric site. Surprisingly, it’s ahead of trendy cocktails like the Cosmopolitan and the Dark ‘n’ Stormy.
Now, there’s an entire week dedicated to celebrating this sip.
We have to credit Caledonia Spirits, a Vermont-based distillery with deep roots dating back to 2011, for the creation of Bee’s Knees Week. The celebration kicked off on September 22nd and will run through October 1st. It’s no surprise that Caledonia initiated this week, as their founder, Todd Hardie, is not only a farmer but also a beekeeper who used raw honey in his small-production winery. Teaming up with Ryan Christiansen, who had experience in the homebrewing business, they came up with the idea to establish a distillery that would pay tribute to these essential creatures in our food systems. Raw honey, produced by bees, is one of the most unique and complex natural ingredients according to Christiansen, who now owns the distillery.
Barr Hill Gin: A Unique Spirit Finished with Honey
Sure enough, honey finds its way into one of Caledonia’s signature products, Barr Hill Gin. This exceptional spirit is finished with locally sourced raw wildflower honey, which serves as the perfect balance to juniper, the key botanical in gin. In fact, every batch of Barr Hill contains a whopping 2,600 pounds of raw honey.
Bee’s Knees Week: A Celebration of Gin
The creation of Barr Hill Gin led to the establishment of Bee’s Knees Week a few years ago. Last year, nearly 2,000 bars, restaurants, and spirits shops participated in this celebration of the iconic cocktail.
A Unique and Fascinating Twist on Gin
As a professional copywriter and gin enthusiast, I have a soft spot for classic London Dry gins. However, I must admit that Barr Hill’s New American gin style adds a captivating and critical element to this beloved spirit. The addition of honey creates a slightly sweet flavor profile that is truly appealing. I highly recommend giving it a try.
Embrace the Honey-Infused Goodness
While the honey-flavored Bee’s Knees cocktail is undoubtedly the perfect match for Barr Hill Gin, don’t be afraid to experiment with this unique spirit in other cocktails as well. It even shines when enjoyed on its own, reminiscent of a martini with a delightful hint of honey.
In conclusion, don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the distinctive flavors of Barr Hill Gin. Trust me, it’s well worth it.
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