Have a cocktail, honey!

Easy on the gin.

I'm not one to reblog, and especially not on my fourth post, but I was sent this email from the National Honey Board with a list of beautiful and refreshing summer cocktails made with honey. They look and sound absolutely divine so I had to share them with you all...

Bee's Knees Cocktail

From Chef Ricardo Zarate (makes 1 drink)

Bee's Knees Cocktail

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 jigger gin
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

Note: the orange juice is optional.  Bars in Los Angeles and New York that serve the Bee's Knees omit it.

Combine all the ingredients and shake well with ice. Strain into a glass

Note: when made as directed, the honey often forms into a giant ball in the middle of the shaker.  To avoid this, combine three parts honey to one part water and stir together until completely mixed, then continue with the recipe.

Honey Mango Margarita

Makes 1 beverage

Honey Mango Margarita

• 1-1/4 oz. gold tequila
• 2 oz. margarita mix
• 1/2 fresh ripe mango**
• 2 oz. Honey Simple Syrup
• 1 scoop crushed ice

Sugar rim glass. Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. 881 oz. Monin Mango syrup can be substituted for fresh mango.

Honey Simple Syrup: Mix 4 parts honey to 1 part hot water in a store n pour. Or alternatively, use a covered container that is convenient to pour from.

Honey Mint Juleps

Makes 14 servings

• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups mint leaves
• 1 cup honey
• 3 1/2 cups bourbon 
• Crushed ice
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Add mint leaves; stir until wilted.  Add honey; stir until dissolved.  Let mixture stand until cool.  Strain and discard mint.  For each julep, combine 1/4 cup bourbon with 2 tbsp. honey mint syrup.  Pour bourbon mixture over crushed ice in frosted tumbler or tall glass.  Garnish with mint sprigs.  

Mandarin Blossom

Makes 1 beverage

Mandarin Blossom

• 1 oz. Honey Simple Syrup
• 3 oz. fresh sour
• 1 1/2 oz. Absolut mandarin
• 2 tablespoons egg white for froth

Shake all ingredients with ice.  Strain into a cinnamon-sugar rimmed martini glass.  Garnish with an orange twist.  Cinnamon sugar is a blend of super fine sugar and just enough cinnamon to give a light brown colour.

Enjoy and Happy Summer!