Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Ingredients for Tequila Honey Bee
- 1 dash of mezcal
- 2 ounces of reposado tequila (such as Espolón)
- 1 ounce of honey syrup
- 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Garnish: lemon peel
Instructions for how to make a Tequila Honey Bee
For the honey syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine equal parts honey and water.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the honey has dissolved.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. The honey syrup can be stored in a jar or bottle in the fridge for up to a month.
For the cocktail
- Rinse a highball glass with a dash of mezcal, coating the inside of the glass with a thin layer and then discarding the excess.
- In a shaker with ice, add 2 ounces of reposado tequila, 1 ounce of honey syrup, and 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Shake the mixture until well-chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Top the cocktail with two dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Garnish with a lemon peel and serve.
Tequila Honey Bee
Equipment
- small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 dash of mezcal
- 2 ounces of reposado tequila such as Espolón
- 1 ounce of honey syrup
- 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Garnish: lemon peel
Instructions
- For the honey syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine equal parts honey and water.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the honey has dissolved.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. The honey syrup can be stored in a jar or bottle in the fridge for up to a month.
- For the cocktail:
- Rinse a highball glass with a dash of mezcal, coating the inside of the glass with a thin layer and then discarding the excess.
- In a shaker with ice, add 2 ounces of reposado tequila, 1 ounce of honey syrup, and 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Shake the mixture until well-chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Top the cocktail with two dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Garnish with a lemon peel and serve.
Table of contents
Me and the Bee
I really do love the Tequila Honey Bee. I have a sweet tooth and I love citrus so this drink does it for me. Refreshing, sweet, and strong this drink is a treat for me.
I’ve tested and tasted many drinks in my days and few are as interesting as this drink. It’s strong but not overwhelming with earthy hints of sweet and tart that hit at just the right time.
It’s not a drink I have all the time, but when I do have it at a party or during a night out I always enjoy it.
Introducing the Tequila Honey Bee Cocktail
Looking for a unique and refreshing tequila cocktail? Look no further than the Tequila Honey Bee! This drink, created by Nick Korbee, the executive chef and beverage director at Egg Shop in New York City, is a delicious twist on the classic Bee’s Knees cocktail. By combining reposado tequila with a touch of smoky mezcal, honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and Angostura bitters, the Tequila Honey Bee offers a balanced blend of sweet and tart flavors with a hint of aromatic spice notes.
The Tequila Honey Bee cocktail is a unique and refreshing drink that combines tequila’s smooth and complex flavors with the sweetness of honey and the tanginess of fresh lemon juice.
This cocktail has a fascinating history and growing in popularity, making it a must-try for any enthusiast. The Tequila Honey Bee cocktail is believed to have originated from the classic Bee’s Knees cocktail, which dates back to the Prohibition era in the United States. However, adding tequila and mezcal in the recipe has given this cocktail a distinct flavor profile that sets it apart from its predecessors. The balance of sweet and tart flavors, with a hint of aromatic spice notes, makes the Tequila Honey Bee a winner.
How to make a Tequila Honey Bee
To make the Tequila Honey Bee, start by rinsing a highball glass with a dash of mezcal, coating the inside of the glass with a thin layer and then discarding the excess. Then, in a shaker with ice, combine 2 ounces of Espolón reposado tequila, 1 ounce of honey syrup, and 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Shake until well-chilled, then strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Finally, top the cocktail with two dashes of Angostura bitters and garnish with a lemon peel.
How to choose the right honey and tequila
When making a Tequila Honey Bee cocktail, choosing the right types of honey and tequila is important to ensure the best possible taste experience.
Picking the right honey for your drink
First, let’s talk about the honey. The recipe calls for honey syrup, which is a mixture of equal parts honey and water. When choosing the honey to use in this cocktail, it’s best to go with a lighter, more floral honey, such as clover or orange blossom. Here is a good option. This is the honey I use for this drink and regular food flavoring.
These types of honey will provide a sweet and delicate flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients in the cocktail. Avoid using darker, stronger-flavored honeys, such as buckwheat or chestnut (yuck), as they may be too robust and could clash with the other flavors in the drink.
Picking the right tequila for your cocktail
Next, let’s talk about tequila. The recipe calls for tequila. I recommend reposado tequila, which has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two months and up to a year. This type of tequila has a smoother, more complex flavor than blanco (unaged) tequila, but is not as strong as añejo (aged longer than a year) tequila. It’s important to choose a good quality reposado tequila to ensure that the cocktail’s flavors are balanced and not overpowered by a harsh or low-quality tequila. Some popular brands of reposado tequila include Espolón, El Tesoro, and Herradura.
In addition, the recipe also calls for a dash of mezcal, which is a type of agave spirit that has a smoky, earthy flavor. Mezcal is a great addition to this cocktail because it adds complexity and depth to the drink. When choosing a mezcal, it’s best to go with a mild, subtle one, as a strong or overly smoky mezcal could overpower the other ingredients in the cocktail. Del Maguey Vida and Montelobos are good mezcal options in this cocktail.
There you go, when making a Tequila Honey Bee cocktail, choose a light, floral honey for the honey syrup, a good quality reposado tequila for a balanced flavor, and a mild, subtle mezcal to add complexity to the drink. With these choices, you’ll be sure to have a delicious and well-balanced cocktail that will impress your guests.
Pro tip
Pro tip: To make the honey syrup, follow Korbee’s advice and mix equal parts honey and water. Experiment with the ratio to achieve your desired honey flavor intensity. The honey syrup can be stored for up to a month, so you can enjoy more honey-laced cocktails in the future.
Mezcal
If you’re new to mezcal, the Tequila Honey Bee is a great gateway cocktail to experience the smoky agave spirit. With its unique blend of flavors and simple preparation, the Tequila Honey Bee is a must-try for anyone who loves tequila cocktails. So, grab your ingredients and get mixing!
Find Your Perfect Drink
If you’re in the mood for the perfect cocktail, head over to the cocktail finder to quickly and easily find the perfect drink. Filter by ingredient, alcohol, flavor, or occasion. The easiest way to find a drink.
Join the Drink Mix Artist community now and receive new drink ideas straight to your inbox! Subscribe today and elevate your beverage game.
A surpize shot of honey for sure