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Taste of Home, Getty Images
Taste of Home, Getty Images
Made with whiskey, lemon and honey, the Honey Bee is a smooth sipper perfect for hot days or cool nights, preferably with “Country Carter” playing in the background.
The millions who went to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour” most likely saw the moment when a gold-plated robot arm poured Queen Bey a glass of whiskey on stage, and she sipped it as her throne lowered into the floor. Dramatic exits aside, it’s no surprise that it was her very own brand, SirDavis Whisky, in that glass. Meanwhile, concertgoers got to try SirDavis whiskey cocktails like The Honey Bee at the show.
Fans already know of Bey’s love of whiskey. She sings about it in her songs (particularly the Japanese brand, Yamazaki) and posts photos of herself and husband Jay-Z sipping whiskey in beautiful glasses. She is the “grandbaby of a moonshine man,” after all. But she didn’t just slap her name on a bottle of brown spirits; she was involved every step of the way—and it shows. Like her, SirDavis has won awards and continues to turn heads.
While I haven’t tried SirDavis yet (it’s not available in my state), aficionados say it’s an American rye done in true Beyoncé style—smooth, sophisticated, sharp with soft notes of warm spices, toffee, dark chocolate, citrus and roasted nuts. It’s made in Houston (just like her) and doesn’t come off as too complicated, but still makes a statement (also like her!). The fact that it’s called “whisky” and not “whiskey”—American-made whiskeys keep the e, while those made in Scotland, Japan and Canada drop it—is Beyoncé being Beyoncé. She can do whatever she sweet-honey-buckin’ wants.
Now, with the tour over, all we have is Beyoncé’s love of whiskey to lean into until she announces the third part of her trilogy (Act 1 was “Renaissance;” Act 2 was “Cowboy Carter”) and new tour to support it. And by lean into, I mean sipping her favorite cocktail, The Honey Bee, while dancing to “Ya Ya” around the living room.
What is Beyoncé’s Honey Bee Cocktail?
The Honey Bee is a simple sipper made with three ingredients: whiskey, lemon juice and honey syrup. It was so popular during the “Cowboy Carter Tour” that Cocktail Courier’s $125 Honey Bee kit sold out in mere hours—twice—over the summer. Like Bey herself, you can dress The Honey Bee up, but deep down, she’s a simple girl with classic taste. You don’t need a special kit or even SirDavis to make this cocktail. It’s easy to whip up any time at home with any quality rye whiskey.
How to Make Beyoncé’s Honey Bee Cocktail
If you can get your hands on a bottle of SirDavis Whisky, use it. If not, use your favorite rye whiskey for The Honey Bee.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup
- Ice
- Honeycomb or lemon twist for garnish
Directions
Step 1: Mix the drink
Add the liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add a few ice cubes. Cover and shake the drink until condensation appears on the outside of the shaker.
Editor’s Tip: To make the honey syrup, combine two parts honey and one part water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer until the honey melts. Remove from the heat, let it cool and store in a glass jar or other airtight container for up to two weeks.
Step 2: Strain and serve the drink
Strain the cocktail into a coupe martini glass. Garnish it with a lemon twist or a piece of honeycomb.
Here’s What I Thought of Beyoncé’s Cocktail
All I can say is, “we clappin’, Bey!” Yes to the simple flavors and the smooth whiskey balanced by lemon and honey. It’s like a hot toddy without the tea, served cold and sipped way too easily. The Honey Bee is light enough for sunny days in the backyard, but I usually turn toward brown spirits in the fall and winter—there’s just something about whiskey cocktails when the leaves start to change. I will definitely be sipping this one on cooler evenings in front of a fire. And because the cocktail contains only three ingredients, it’s easy to make in batches for predinner drinks and holiday parties.
I’m sure it’s even better with SirDavis, and when I get my hands on some, The Honey Bee will be the first cocktail I make. Until then, I’ll put that extra honey syrup to good use with my favorite whiskey, and shake these up all season long.
