May I introduce Honeybee, born from a quest to craft the perfect sweet, slow-sipper. This delightful digestif features Galliano—an aromatic Italian liqueur known for its smooth blend of vanilla, anise, and subtle citrus notes.
To raise the complexity and depth, I’ve paired Galliano with a base of white rum and added a unique twist – Red Bull Yellow Edition. This tropical citrus-flavored energy drink introduces a bright, fruity vibrance to the mix. Toasted caramel syrup enriches it with warm, dessert-like sweetness, while orange bitters adds balance and nuance, tying everything together.
The result is a golden-hued, dessert-worthy cocktail with character and rich flavor profile. Its brilliant, deep yellow color and sweetness immediately brought to mind the image of a honeybee, which inspired the name.
This photograph shows the Honeybee served “up” in elegant glassware to showcase its striking hue. However, I’ll let you in on a little secret—it’s actually best enjoyed over ice in a chilled glass. The cold temp slows the sip, allowing each layer of flavor to shine as the drink evolves.
Avoiding a “Sting”
Red Bull Yellow is carbonated, and while we shake the cocktail to blend the ingredients and mellow the fizz, this step requires care. Shaking a carbonated mixer without precaution can result in a messy surprise. To avoid any cocktail chaos, pause once or twice mid-shake to briefly open the shaker and release the built-up pressure. It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference in presentation—and clean-up.
Whether you’re looking for a unique after-dinner drink or just something a little different to sip and savor, the Honeybee offers a buzz of sweetness, style, and sophistication in every glass.
Honeybee
A sweet digestif with vanilla, anise, citrus, caramel and orange
Ingredients
- 1 oz Diplomatico white rum
- 1/2 oz Galliano
- 2 oz Red Bull Yellow
- 1/2 oz toasted caramel syrup
- 2 dashes angostura orange bitters
- Tiny fern frond – garnish
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake to combine and de-carbonize the Red Bull-Yellow. Pause once or twice after a short shake and open the shaker to release the pressure or suffer a messy explosion!
- Strain and pour into a frozen Nick and Nora or coupe glass – up, or over a large rock in a rocks glass
- Garnish with the tip of a fern frond
