This Chamomile Bee’s Knees Herbal Mocktail is an alcohol-free spin on a classic Prohibition-era cocktail. And it’s everything I’m craving headed into spring. It’s tart, sweet, well-balanced, and beautifully highlights the unique flavor and calming herbal benefits of chamomile, one of my favorite herbal friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This Chamomile Bee’s Knees Herbal Mocktail recipe only requires three basic ingredients and can easily be scaled up.
- The combination of sweet honey and mouth-puckering lemon creates a perfectly bright, tart, and refreshing mocktail that’s hard to resist.
- Chamomile not only brings a lovely floral, apple-y flavor, but it’s also a beautifully soothing, calming herb perfect for unwinding and relaxing.
Making Chamomile Bee’s Knees Herbal Mocktail
The original Bee’s Knees cocktail dates back to the 1920s and is often associated with the Prohibition Era in the US, though it likely actually originated in Paris. This popular cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, and honey for a bright, tart drink.
In place of the gin, we’ll be making a strong chamomile tea with a bit of juniper and coriander to replicate the earthy flavors of gin. It’s not a perfect dupe, of course. But the strong chamomile tea brings a floral, slightly-bitter flavor that balances out the sour lemon and sweet honey perfectly.
The Ingredients
To make the Chamomile Bee’s Knees Herbal Mocktail, you’ll need…
Dried chamomile – I prefer “loose leaf” chamomile tea as it tends to be fresher and have more of the flavor and medicinal benefits of the herb. However, you can make this mocktail using a few bags of chamomile tea, if that’s what you prefer.
Dried juniper berries – Juniper is one of the classic herbs used in gin and brings a subtle earthy, woody, astringent flavor to the mocktail. You can sometimes find dried juniper in the spice aisle at the grocery and health food stores. Or online, of course. But it is optional and, if you can’t find it, the drink is still delicious without it.
Dried coriander seed – Also an optional addition, coriander is another spice that’s commonly used in gin and has a fresh, citrusy, and floral flavor with a sharp finish. This one is generally easier to find in the grocery store. Opt for whole coriander seed, if possible, and grind it yourself for the best flavor.
Lemon juice – The main flavor in this mocktail. There’s really no substitute for this, so if you don’t like lemon, this probably isn’t the drink for you.
Honey simple syrup – Honey is the ingredient that makes this a “bee’s knees” mocktail instead of a “gin sour” mocktail. And a honey simple syrup is made with equal parts honey and water. But you can use regular simple syrup or maple syrup in place of the honey syrup if preferred.
The Method
This recipe is incredibly simple but it does require some time for the tea to cool before using, so plan accordingly.
Start by gently crushing the juniper berries and coriander seeds. You can use a mortar and pestle if you have one. Otherwise, place the dried herbs in a small plastic storage bag and smash them with the back of a large spoon to crush them lightly.
In a small mason jar or heat-proof glass measuring cup, add the chamomile, juniper berries, and coriander seeds. Top with one cup of freshly boiled water and give the herbs a stir. Then cover and let steep for 1 hour.
Strain out the herbs and compost (if possible) or dispose of the spent herbs. Cover the chamomile tea again and place it in the fridge until cool. The tea can be made up to one day in advance but any more than that and it will lose much of its flavor.
Next, make the honey simple syrup by combining the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until the honey has fully dissolved into the water. Make sure the mixture doesn’t get too hot—you don’t want it to simmer or boil, just warm up enough to dissolve the honey. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before transferring to a small jar and placing it in the fridge to cool completely.
To make the herbal mocktail, combine the chamomile tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist. Enjoy!
Benefits of Chamomile
Chamomile is a well-loved herbal ally, and for good reason! It’s a gentle yet powerful herb that feels like a comforting hug. Cheesy, yes—but also accurate. It’s an incredibly soothing herb that offers a number of supportive health benefits.
Chamomile is most commonly turned to for its calming effects, which can help to ease anxiety and nervousness. It also helps to support deep, restful sleep—especially when tension or stress make it hard to unwind.
Chamomile is also a bitter and carminative herb that helps to soothe digestive issues like bloating, cramping, and heartburn. The calming effects combined with digestive support make it a particularly helpful herbal ally when stress is negatively affecting digestion.
It also offers antispasmodic properties that help ease muscle and menstrual cramps, as well as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits that make this gentle herb a go-to for wounds, rashes, and even pinkeye.
Chamomile is also a classic remedy for colds and flu, often combined with elderflower, peppermint, and yarrow to help reduce fevers and promote rest. And because it’s such a gentle herbal ally, it’s often called on for little ones to soothe colic, teething, and fussiness.
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Other Herbal Mocktail Recipes You May Like
- Sparkling Ginger Rose Herbal Mocktail: Indulge in a heart-opening Sparkling Ginger Rose Herbal Mocktail! This refreshing, alcohol-free drink blends rose, ginger, and raspberries for a floral, zesty sip.
- Ginger Citrus Sunshine Mocktail: This bright, warming Ginger Citrus Sunshine Mocktail is delicious, healing, and perfect for bringing a dose of the sun’s energy into your day.
- Rosemary Pear Mocktail: This delicious fall mocktail recipe combines pears and rosemary for a unique, herbal drink that’s perfect for this time of year.
- Cooling Chamomile Peach Lemonade: This herbal lemonade combines juicy summer peaches with soothing chamomile for a cooling, relaxing drink the whole family can enjoy.
Chamomile Bee’s Knees Herbal Mocktail
Ingredients
For the chamomile tea
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
- 1 teaspoon dried juniper berries optional
- ½ teaspoon dried coriander seeds optional
For the honey simple syrup
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
For the mocktail
- 4 ounces chamomile tea
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce honey simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon wheel or twist for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by gently crushing the juniper berries and coriander seeds. You can use a mortar and pestle if you have one. Otherwise, place the dried herbs in a small plastic storage bag and smash them with the back of a large spoon to crush them lightly.
- In a small mason jar or heat-proof glass measuring cup, add the dried chamomile and smashed juniper berries and coriander seeds. Top with one cup of freshly boiled water and give the herbs a stir. Then cover and let steep for 1 hour.
- Strain out the herbs and compost (if possible) or dispose of the spent herbs. Cover the chamomile tea again and place it in the fridge until cool. The tea can be made up to one day in advance but any more than that and it will lose much of its flavor.
- Next, make the honey simple syrup by combining the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until the honey has fully dissolved into the water. Make sure the mixture doesn’t get too hot—you don’t want it to simmer or boil, just warm up enough to dissolve the honey. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before transferring to a small jar and placing it in the fridge to cool completely.
- To make the herbal mocktail, combine the chamomile tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist. Enjoy!
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