- 45 ml1.5 ozblended scotch
- 20 ml0.75 ozlemon juice
- 20 ml0.75 ozhoney-ginger syrup
- 7.5 ml0.25 ozIslay scotch
Garnish: candied ginger
- Method
- Shaken
- Strength
- ~20% ABV
- Difficulty
- ●●●
Method
- Shake the blended scotch, lemon juice and honey-ginger syrup hard with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Float the smoky Islay scotch gently on top.
- Garnish with candied ginger.
The story
A New York bartender in the mid-2000s built this as a wink toward old folk-remedy cocktails, naming it for the medicine while actually loading it with honey, ginger and smoky scotch instead. It is one of the most imitated modern cocktails of its decade.
Flavour
Quick answers
Penicillin questions
How do you make a Penicillin?
Shake the blended scotch, lemon juice and honey-ginger syrup hard with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Float the smoky Islay scotch gently on top. Garnish with candied ginger. You need 45 ml (1.5 oz) blended scotch, 20 ml (0.75 oz) lemon juice, 20 ml (0.75 oz) honey-ginger syrup and 7.5 ml (0.25 oz) Islay scotch.
What's in a Penicillin?
Blended scotch, lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup and Islay scotch, garnished with candied ginger.
Is a Penicillin shaken or stirred?
Shaken. Shaking chills, dilutes and aerates the citrus or cream.
What glass is a Penicillin served in?
A rocks, over ice cubes.
How strong is a Penicillin?
About 20% ABV once it is diluted, about as strong as a glass of fortified wine.
Barback: 100 Cocktails
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