The Beekeeper

A classic French 75 combines gin, lemon and Prosecco to make a refreshing and bold drink. Meanwhile, in a Bee's Knees, you’ll find gin alongside honey and lemon for a naturally sweetened take on a sour. This cocktail combines the two for a refreshing, bubbly drink with depth. Straight from Willibald's farm in Ontario, Willibald’s Pink Gin (drinkwillibald.com) has a delicately floral and fruity backbone that's amplified by its slight ageing in red wine barrels and rounded out with an addition of wildflower honey. A simple syrup made with local honey and freshly squeezed lemon will make this drink sing. And don’t forget to top this with Ontario’s bubbly mead.

2 ounces Willibald Pink Gin
1 ounce lemon juice, fresh squeezed
½ ounce honey syrup
2 ounces sparkling mead, such as Royal Canadian Mead's Feels Like Friday
Garnish with sage leaf, dried lavender or bee pollen or a combination (optional)

To make the honey syrup, heat equal parts local wildflower honey and water on the stove until incorporated. Let cool.

Shake the ingredients with ice in tin until frosted. Strain into a Collins glass and top with sparkling mead and add the garnish.