The inception of The Business, an exquisite blend of gin, lime juice, and honey syrup, was a game-changer in the prosperous world of cocktail creation. Sasha Petraske at Milk & Honey, his innovative bar, created this masterpiece in the early 2000s. The cocktail, together with Petraske and his bar, holds revered esteem as a pivotal influence in the upsurge of the cocktail renaissance. The Business epitomises their dazzling genius.

In line with their signature technique, Milk and Honey sought to create a refined ambiance for savoring their meticulously prepared cocktails using The Business as their trademark. To accomplish this, Petraske took a leaf out of the book of time-honoured cocktail recipes. Several of Milk & Honey's concoctions took a foundation from Prohibition-era cocktails, with just a new twist. For The Business, the Bee's Knees classic was revamped - lemon juice was replaced with lime.

Craftsmanship and precision were valued attributes in the running of Milk & Honey's program, characterized by Sasha Petraske’s book, 'Regarding Cocktails.' Bartender Zachary Gelnaw-Rubin described Petraske’s precision by saying that even a tiny flaw would make it unfit for a dog, showcasing the attention to detail put into each glass. He further emphasized, "When there are only three ingredients, you have little behind which to hide imperfection.”

The exacting meticulousness and simplicity of The Business and Petraske’s other cocktail creations sparked a revolution in the cocktail landscape during its revival years. Simplicity worked well, as The Business emulated the classic sour cocktail template of spirit, citrus juice, and a sweet element, typically a syrup. It used a rich honey syrup inspired by the Prohibition-era Bee’s Knees cocktail. This three parts honey to one part water method leads to a profound and diverse depth of flavor, surpassing simple syrup and enriching the texture.

The Business shares a distinct parallel with the classic Gimlet, both highlighting the acquaintanceship between gin and lime juice. The inclusion of lime juice connects the botanical-forward gin and rich honey syrup, offering a more bright, citrus punch than lemon juice.

Here's how you can make it: You will need 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, 3/4 ounce of honey syrup, and 1 lime wheel for garnish (optional). Pour all of these ingredients into a cocktail shaker containing ice. Vigorously shake until fully chilled, and after double straining, present it in a chilled coupe glass, garnished with a lime wheel.