Happy thirsty Thursday, all! This recipe is one I have taken from a restaurant and have attempted to recreate at home. It is delicious and I think many of you would enjoy sipping this beverage (maybe even tonight as you wait for ‘trick or treaters.’ While staying in Baltimore this summer, I went to one of my favorite restaurants, the B&O American Brasserie. If you are ever in Baltimore, you will enjoy this space a great deal as it has incredible food, a neat atmosphere, and (obviously) delicious cocktails. It is located at the Hotel Monaco, Baltimore:
Interestingly, while doing some extra backup research for this post I noticed that the restaurant has served this drink in different glasses at different times. I feel like my glass, rather than a martini glass, gives the beverage a fun Prohibition-era vibe! The B&O restaurant recently posted on their Facebook page that this beverage was highlighted by Redbook magazine as one of the “39 trending cocktails [they] love.”
The Queen Bee is $14 and on their cocktails menu. This cocktail list, “consists of handcrafted libations that truly define the art of the cocktail.” This cocktail originates from the restaurant and was a winner at the 2008 Cocktail World Cup Regional Finals. I may have even had this drink all the way back then when I was still basically living in Baltimore half the time! Their menu only states the following about the beverage:
- Absolut
- Yuzu
- St. Germain
- Honey syrup
The drink had an orange twist as garnish (though mine looks like a lemon in the photo above… maybe my second one had orange?)!
Here is how I broke the cocktail down at home:
[sidebar: my double jigger is 1 1/2 ounce and 3/4 ounce, but I might have to get this OXO one
with the measurements on the inside of both ends!]
- 1 1/2 oz Absolut vodka
- 3/4 oz yuzu* juice
- 1 1/2 oz St. Germain
- 3/4 oz honey syrup
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add an orange twist for garnish, but be sure to actually twist it over the drink to let the oils out!
The honey syrup was really easy. It is just like simple syrup just with honey instead of sugar. Really watch it so it doesn’t burn and you will have a new item for your bar rotation that will keep in the fridge!
*Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit. It looks like a shrunken orange or grapefruit. It is used for many things, and I just bought a bottle of it at a gourmet food shop here in the area. You can get a pure Yuzu Juice
Will you try making the Queen Bee at home?
The extent to my drink mixing is a vodka soda. However, I have never been to B&O and need to go!!!!
Oh girlllllll we need to fancy your cocktails up! So many options out there. And it's fun!
And yes, B&O. How have you not gone? Amazing. Perfect place for a pre-football or baseball game meal. Esp since it is away enough from the Inner Harbor that tourists aren't swarming the place and close enough for an easy walk!