October's Craft Cocktail Kit: The Bees Knees

Introducing the October Cocktail Kit

Bees Knees — Starring: The Classic Bees Knees & The Ivey League

Let’s talk about bees. We can just skip right past the “birds and the…” part and get straight to the bees. Bees are a rather crucial part of most ecosystems. Specifically when it comes to food that we like to eat. In urban and suburban areas it is hard for bees to find a home — dealing with lack of green space, lawn mowers, landscaping and our general fear of being stung. But we need them. Not just for our gardens and healthy green spaces but also because we love that good good called honey.

Bow & Bend Raw Honey

Our dear friends and neighbors at Bow & Bend keep bees 1 block away from our headquarters (read: home). Their honey is some of the most vibrant and exciting we've had, since the taste shifts from season to season. How beautiful is that? Their love for bees and keeping our ecosystems (along with families, habits, parenting, etc...) organic and balanced is infectious. Bees are honestly the tip of the iceberg but we’re just gonna stick with the bees for this month.

Their bees help pollinate our garden as well as 100+ yards in our neighborhood. And what do you get in return? You get some of the best honey you’ve ever had included in this October kit. All of it was made and harvested 1 block away here in Southwest Atlanta. This Bow & Bend honey is going to be the main ingredient of this month's cocktails. But we have also provided enough for you to enjoy the extra however you see fit. 

This month we will be learning how to make 2 cocktails.

Our classic is the Bees Knees, a cocktail that came about in the late 1920s (become a member to get the full and fancy history). Our modern riff is the Ivey League which is named for a dear friend of mine. If you can’t drink with them, drink to them. That’s how the old adage goes, right?

Now, who wants to mix up some local cocktail goodness?

We thought you'd never ask. This month's menu is all about this magical green juice so let's dive right in to see what's included when you order.

What's Included?

• Bow & Bend Honey: half of a pound of local hand-harvested honey from our good friends at Bow & Bend

• Fresh Lavender: To infuse into your honey syrup top add some floral aroma to our October signature cocktail.

• Citrus Concentrate: Just what you guessed. It’s citrus. But it’s concentrated. Lime and lemon peels that have been macerated to extract the essential oils and then combined with fresh juice and citric acid. Perfect to give all the citrus essence without watering down your cocktail. Commons Amaro: a splendid concoction of herbs, roots and spices to bring a distinct and structured backbone to your Ivey League cocktail

• Commons Amaro: a splendid concoction of herbs, roots and spices to bring a distinct and structured backbone to your Ivey League cocktail

• Dehydrated Orange Wheels: For garnishing that purdy libation you just made.

• Gold Bee Stir Sticks: A beautiful addition to your home bar accessories. Perfect replacement for the signature “finger stir”.

What you'll learn in your mixology class at home:

• How to steep herbs for cocktail mixers:We will focus on lavender and the best ways incorporate it into your cocktails
  
  

• How to measure ingredients:The proper process for constructing your cocktail while eliminating waste and errors.
  
  

• How to properly use a cocktail shaker: learn how to shake a cocktail. We will also cover some alternative options for shaking if your shaker isn’t handy.
  
  

• How to build a cocktail: we will discuss how Chartreuse is made, it’s awesome history, where it comes from and some common substitutes
  
  

• The basics of gin: we will discuss how gin is made, it’s impressive history, where it comes from and some common misconceptions
  
  

• How to peel & express citrus: Maximize your garnishes and the flavor of your cocktail while completing the aesthetic experience of a well-made cocktail.

So if you've been looking to make more rum cocktails...

This kit is for you! Perfectly refreshing with a few flavor profiles that will tickle the palate and sintillate the senses.