Name: Killer Bee (Mezcal, Lemon, and Honey Cocktail)
Yield: Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients: 1 1⁄2 ounces honey; 2 ounces mezcal, such as Del Maguey Vida brand; 1 1⁄2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

Photo of three tall cocktails from Nopalito in San Francisco

Photo by Eva Kolenko

This is our Mexico-inspired twist on a classic cocktail called the Bee’s Knees, a light and refreshing drink made with gin, lemon, and honey syrup. The Killer Bee replaces the gin with mezcal, a smokier and more aggressive spirit (hence the more aggressive cocktail name). It’s a great way to kick off a meal.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 ounces honey

2 ounces mezcal, such as Del Maguey Vida brand

1 1⁄2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

Preparation

Step 1
To make a honey syrup, in a small bowl or jar, combine the honey with 1 1⁄2 ounces water.
Step 2
In a cocktail shaker, combine the mezcal, lemon juice, and 3⁄4 ounce of the honey syrup (save the remaining honey syrup for another cocktail). Fill the shaker three-quarters of the way with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds if serving on the rocks or 15 seconds if serving “up.” Strain into an ice-filled double old-fashioned glass or bucket glass, or serve up with no ice.