I call this ginger rose cocktail a “Distract-a-Bee.” It’s one of my favorite signature cocktails for parties. It’s spicy, sweet, and elegantly floral.
It was inspired by one of my favorite Monty Python sketches, “Confuse-A-Cat.” At the end of the sketch, a random list of other “services” rolls up the screen with names that include “Bewilderbeast,” “Puzzle-A-Puma,” and my favorite, “Distract-A-bee.”
That name seems very appropriate for this drink. Honey, elderflower, rose and ginger would certainly distract a bee (and ladies like me). The name also makes me giggle every time.
It’s also known in the wild as a “Son of a Bee Sting.” I first tried it at a speakeasy bar in New York called Little Branch.
A friend told me that it was one of the most delicious cocktails in NY, and it wasn’t on the menu, so I had to request it special. Oh BOY was my friend right.
When I serve it, I’ll spritz the glass with rosewater, but I’ll also ask guests to allow me to spritz the backs of the hands they drink from. That way the delicate, rosy aroma lasts till the last sip.
I use Fee Brothers rosewater for my cocktails. It’s very light and smells so elegant.
Tip! You can make your own ginger syrup by juicing ginger (or just go to a local juice bar like I do, and order a shot to go) then mix ¼ of a cup into a cup of water with a half-cup of sugar. Instant ginger syrup!
To make honey syrup, just mix ½ cup of honey in a cup of water.
For More Tasty Cocktail Inspiration
- 5 Delicious Signature Cocktails for Your Party
- The Tangerine Daisy Cocktail
- A “Miss Fisher’s Mystery” Cocktail
And for even more inspiration, follow me on INSTAGRAM @shekeepsalovelyhome, on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK! And if you ever make any of my tasty drinks or treats, take a picture and tag me. I want to see!
The Distract-A-Bee Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce St. Germain
- ½ ounce honey syrup
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¼ ounce ginger syrup
- A spritz of rosewater
- A piece of candied ginger
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients hard with ice, pour into a chilled glass and spritz with rose water. Garnish with candied ginger.
Nutrition
Geoff
Congratulations on a playful cocktail that delivers! Aromatic, well balanced, and visually appealing. I was wondering what to do with the ginger syrup I received as a gift – now I am wondering how to get more because I plan to batch this for a party. Spritzing with rosewater is something I never thought of – next level for an immersive cocktail experience!
Genevieve Manion
Thank you! This is honestly one of my favorite cocktails of all. Always a show stopper at a party!