Patrick (Paddy) Moore World Bee Day
Today we honour the hardworking and essential creature, the bee.
The UN explains the need for this awareness. “Pollination is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.
The goal today is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which (in turn) would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.”
Bees Knees
The Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition-era cocktail. The unique name is a convention of that time: The phrase “bee’s knees” was a popular slang expression used to denote something excellent or outstanding. According to Liquor.com, the drink is credited to Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender who plied his trade at the Hôtel Ritz Paris during the 1920s. It’s a simple extension of the classic Gin Sour (gin, lemon, sugar) that features honey instead of sugar. The honey creates a richer drink, and it may have been used to mask the nasty taste of subpar gin, which was prevalent at the time.
Recipe
| What you need 2 ounces gin 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 ounce honey syrup What you do Add gin, lemon juice and honey syrup into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. To make Honey syrup ½ cup honey ¼ cup water Add honey and water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container. Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month. Adding a tablespoon of vodka to the syrup will extend its life. |
