By Whenever I sit down to a delectable meal, I never think about how this bountiful harvest got to my plate. And I certainly don’t ponder the critical role bees play in making my beloved fruits, vegetables and nuts possible through pollination. But the truth is, we all should be thanking these humble and hard-working creatures. Unfortunately, it turns out our winged little friends are under siege.
According to a recent National Geographic report, “Over the past 15 years, bee colonies have been disappearing in what is known as the ‘colony collapse disorder.’ Some regions have seen losses of up to 90%.” Experts blame the decline of both commercial and wild bee health on something called the varroa mite, a parasite that invades hives and spreads diseases. It’s not clear if this has anything to do with global warming, but regardless, it’s a big deal.
With so much to worry about in this incredibly chaotic world, it would be easy to overlook the plight of the tiny bee. But we do so at our own peril. Every plump red tomato, sweet succulent strawberry, crisp tart apple, and bountiful ear of corn owes its very existence to the bee. I sure hope we can find a way to save these amazing creatures. In the meantime, I devote this cocktail to the bees. It’s my own twist on the Prohibition Era drink of the same name.
The Bees Knees
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- 2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz Lavender syrup
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- Cube of honey comb to garnish
Prep
- Pour vodka, lemon juice, and honey into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain into a glass.
- Skewer a honey comb cube to garnish.
- Proost! (Makes one drink.)
David Pitlik is a corporate writer by day, a comedy writer from a previous life, and a lover of great food, wonderful drink and sparkling banter with good friends.
