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Bee Sting Cocktail

This Bee Sting Cocktail is a vibrant gin-based drink that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and spicy notes. It features a homemade honey-lemon syrup, fresh lemon juice, and the exciting kick of muddled jalapeño, creating an invigorating and complex flavor profile ideal for those who enjoy a spirited drink with a peppery edge.
Print Recipe
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine world
Servings 2 people
Calories 513.1 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan For preparing the honey-lemon syrup
  • 1 Muddler For crushing the jalapeño
  • 1 Cocktail Shaker For mixing and chilling the drink
  • 1 Jigger or Measuring Spoons For accurate ingredient measurements
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Strainer To remove jalapeño solids

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 medium lemon
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 medium jalapeño pepper
  • 2 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce honey-lemon syrup recipe above
  • Ice

Instructions
 

  • Prepare Honey-Lemon Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, and 1 pinch kosher salt. Heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring until the honey fully dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  • Juice 1 medium lemon to obtain 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
  • Slice 1/2 medium jalapeño pepper. For a milder drink, remove the seeds and white pith; for more heat, leave some in.
  • In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the sliced jalapeño to release its flavors and oils. Be careful not to over-muddle.
  • Add 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce of the cooled honey-lemon syrup, and 1 ounce fresh lemon juice to the shaker with the muddled jalapeño.
  • Fill the shaker with ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
  • Prepare two serving glasses by filling them with fresh ice.
  • Double-strain the cocktail mixture from the shaker into the prepared glasses, ensuring no jalapeño solids transfer.
  • Taste and adjust the drink if necessary, adding a dash more syrup for sweetness or lemon for tartness.
  • Garnish each cocktail with a thin slice of jalapeño or a lemon twist for an elegant presentation and aromatic finish.

Notes

1. **Syrup Temperature:** Ensure your honey-lemon syrup is completely cooled before mixing; warm syrup will over-dilute the cocktail. Prepare it in advance if possible.2. **Jalapeño Heat:** Taste a tiny piece of the jalapeño before muddling to gauge its spice level. Adjust the amount or muddle with seeds removed for less heat, or include some seeds for a bolder sting. Gently muddle to extract flavor without bitterness.3. **Balance is Key:** This cocktail thrives on the balance of sweet, sour, and spicy. Always taste a small amount before serving and adjust with a tiny bit more syrup, lemon juice, or even a pinch of salt to round out the flavors.4. **Gin Choice:** A good quality, crisp gin with botanical notes will complement the other ingredients beautifully. Avoid overly savory or intensely floral gins that might clash.