(Editor’s Note: It is time for a toast to launch a new column in the San Francisco Bay Times, “Cocktails With Naj.” In each feature, talented mixologist Naiady “Naj” Porta Oliveira will highlight a new cocktail or mocktail and crafters of note. We love that this first article highlights Bee’s Knees Week, an initiative that members of our team have supported since its inception and that creates new pollinator habitat. As if to usher in Bee’s Knees Week, a rare bee species—the San Francisco leaf-cutter bee—was recently spotted on Mount Tamalpais for the first time since 1980! We hope that more good news about bees and pollinators will be forthcoming, and are grateful for the work that Todd Hardie. Ryan Christiansen, and others on the Barr Hill team continue to do.)
By Naiady Porta Oliveira–
Barr Hill Gin, America’s most awarded gin and creator of Landcrafted® spirits, announces its 7th Annual Bee’s Knees Week, set for September 20–29, 2024. This initiative combines cocktail culture with conservation, aiming to protect vital pollinator habitats across the United States. As a 1% for the Planet partner, Barr Hill will provide funds to 1% for the Planet-
approved partners such as the Garden for the Environment, located here in San Francisco. This year’s habitat program will pilot outcomes that benefit pollinators and community gardens.
Since its inception, Bee’s Knees Week has helped create more than 700,000 square feet of new pollinator habitat. This year, Barr Hill has set an ambitious goal: to reach 1 million square feet of new habitat pledged and planted by the end of the event.
The urgency of this mission is clear. North American bumblebee populations have plummeted by nearly 50% since 1974. These pollinators are essential not just for Barr Hill’s distinctive spirits, but also for food security. Bees contribute to over 90 different food crops in the U.S., adding more than $20 billion to the economy annually.
“Stewardship of the land is central to our mission,” says Ryan Christiansen, President and Head Distiller at Caledonia Spirits, Barr Hill’s parent company. “We’re passionate about making a positive change for pollinators. They play a crucial role in our ecosystem and economy.”
How to Help the Bees
Participation in Bee’s Knees Week is simple and delicious!
Enjoy a Bee’s Knees cocktail at a participating venue such as: Nopa in San Francisco, Paper Plane in San Jose, The Beehive in San Francisco, Tupper & Reed in Berkeley, and Lo & Behold in Healdsburg (you can find—mapped by zip code—more participating bars, restaurants, and stores on the Bee’s Knees website (https://bit.ly/4dPxWsO).
Whether you’re a professional bartender or a home cocktail enthusiast, Bee’s Knees Week offers a chance to enjoy exceptional spirits while making a positive impact. Visit Bee’s Knee’s Week online (https://bit.ly/4cQsg0C) or follow @barrhillgin on Instagram to learn more and find participating venues.
Barr Hill Gin is on a mission to connect cocktail culture with agriculture by crafting world-class spirits, educating consumers, and protecting the hardworking bees that make it all possible. Now that’s something worth raising a glass to. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4cQsg0C
Bees Knees Cocktail
The Barr Hill Bee’s Knees Cocktail is a refreshing blend of award-winning Barr Hill Gin, regional raw honey syrup ( https://bit.ly/4dNYRFw ), and
fresh lemon juice. The phrase “bee’s knees” was Prohibition-Era slang for “the best.”
Ingredients:
2 oz Barr Hill Gin
.75 oz fresh lemon juice
.75 oz raw honey syrup (2 parts
honey to 1 part hot water. Let
cool.)
lemon twist garnish
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in a shaker, add ice, shake, then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass or coupe. Add garnish.
Naiady “Naj” Porta Oliveira, a queer San Francisco native, blends a deep love for mixology with a passion for vibrant LGBTQ+ culture. As a cocktail columnist, they craft unique drink recipes that reflect the eclectic spirit of their city and community. When not shaking up new concoctions, they’re exploring San Francisco’s dynamic nightlife and advocating for inclusivity in every pour.
Cocktails with Naj
Published on September 5, 2024
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