The Bee's Knees cocktail emerged during the Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933), a time when the production and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned. To mask the taste of poorly made spirits, bartenders often used sweeteners and flavors. The Bee's Knees was created as a refreshing drink that combined gin with honey and lemon juice, making it a popular choice among both casual drinkers and speakeasy patrons. The term 'bee's knees' itself is an old slang phrase meaning excellent or the best, implying that this cocktail was considered one of the top drinks of the time.