Barr Hill Gin Launches 7th Annual ‘Bee’s Knees Week’ to Protect Pollinators, September 20–29, 2024 PHOTO CREDIT: CALEDONIA SPIRITS (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 decline in bumblebee populations is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. The mission of the Barr Hill distillery is to reverse this decline and restore bumblebee populations to their former glory. Barr Hill is committed to a multi-pronged approach to achieve this goal, including habitat restoration, pesticide reduction, and climate change mitigation.
It’s a week-long celebration of honey and all things bee-related. Bee’s Knees Week is a fun and educational experience for people of all ages. It’s a chance to learn about bees, their importance to our ecosystem, and the delicious honey they produce.
Bee’s Knees Week is a global initiative that takes place annually in the first week of June. It’s a celebration of the iconic cocktail, the Bee’s Knees, and its key ingredient, gin. The week-long event encourages participants to explore the world of gin, learn about its history, production, and different varieties.
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
