Spring Honey Bee

A floral, pastel-hued gin cocktail sweetened with honey and rounded out with a touch of fizz—perfect for celebrating the arrival of spring.

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📝 Description

This bright, pretty cocktail features butterfly-pea-infused Empress 1908 gin, honey simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice. A frothy egg-white top and a splash of club soda add texture and elegance. Bonus: the gin shifts from indigo to pink when mixed—a stunning visual that's decked out for sunny days and outdoor sips.

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🍽️ Servings: 1

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes (excluding syrup chill)

🔥 Cook Time: None

📅 Total Time: 5 minutes (plus syrup prep)

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🥄 Ingredients

• 2 oz Empress 1908 gin

• ¾ oz honey simple syrup

• ¾ oz elderflower liqueur

• 1 egg white (or substitute)

• 1½ oz fresh lemon juice
  NOTE: I found this to be too much lemon juice. I suggest starting with 3/4 oz in the dry shake; if you want more lemon juice, add when you shake again in small quantities until you have the right mix of citrus for your palate.

• Club soda, to top

Pro Tip: Chill the syrup ahead of time so the cocktail stays crisp when shaken.

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👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Make the Syrup:
   In a jar, combine hot water and honey. Shake well until dissolved. Chill before using.

2. Dry Shake:
   Add gin, honey syrup, elderflower liqueur, egg white, and lemon juice to a shaker. Shake vigorously without ice to create foam.

3. Shake Again:
   Add ice to the shaker and shake until well chilled.

4. Strain & Top:
   Strain into a highball or Collins glass with a large ice cube. Top with club soda.

5. Garnish & Serve:
   Add a lemon twist or edible flower if desired, and serve immediately.

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🌿 Optional Garnishes or Serving Suggestions

• Lemon twist or candy bee decoration

• Edible flower for visual flair

• Serve alongside light hors d’oeuvres or fresh salads

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🧂 Variations & Tips

• Swap in a flavored honey syrup (lavender, thyme) for extra floral notes

• Use gluten-free elderflower liqueur if needed

• Try gin substitutions—emergent color effect works best with butterfly-pea gin

• Try egg white substitutions - aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas (or other beans) or Fee Brothers Foam

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💡 Notes & Hacks

• Hack: Prep a pitcher of syrup and chill for easy batch drinks

• Real-life Tip: Dry shake first—key to fluffy egg-white top

• Mistake Fix: If foam doesn’t form, try a second dry shake

• Serving Hack: Pre-chill glasses for a frosty presentation

• User Tip: Use an oversized ice cube to slow dilution

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📷 Photo

Imagine a pastel pink cocktail in a tall glass, crowned with airy foam, garnished with a lemon twist or flower.

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📓 Additional Notes

• Storage: Syrup keeps up to 2 weeks; cocktail best fresh

• Freezer-friendly: No

• Source: Adapted from Danielle at Danilicious Dishes

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📬 Sip Into Spring!

Fall for cocktails that bloom with color and complexity? 💬 Tap ❤️, leave a comment, or subscribe for more vibrant, seasonal drink recipes. Have a floral-gin tip or twist? Chime in below!