King Bee

We’ve got a lot of bee-centric drinks in Cocktail Party; we’re unabashed about our love for honey in all its forms. Bärenjäger, a rich honey liqueur, is a mainstay in our freezer even though it’s hardly ever called for in fancy cocktails.

So naturally, we’re absolutely crazy about Nate Dumas’ King Bee, from the PDT cocktail book. The herbal, grassy flavors of the pisco and the Bénédictine intensify the meadow-honey flavor and scent of Bärenjäger, while the sherry floated on top gives each sip a sun-kissed, wonderfully nutty fragrance.

The recipe as written, specifically calling for Bärenjäger, Bénédictine and oloroso sherry, is perfect as-is. We’ve tried it with other herbal and honey liqueurs and different types of sherry, and the balance is never quite right. Best to stick to the recipe – the King Bee accepts no substitutions.