Penicillin
- Glass
- Rocks
- Difficulty
- Medium
- ABV
- ~22%
Ingredients
- 2 ozblended scotch whisky60 ml
- ¾ ozfresh lemon juice22 ml
- ¾ ozhoney-ginger syrup22 ml
- ¼ ozislay scotch whisky7 ml
Instructions
Combine the blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 12 seconds — you want this drink cold and well-integrated. Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass over a large, clear ice cube. Now the float: pour the Islay Scotch slowly over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface of the drink. The smoky whisky will sit on top, creating a dramatic aromatic layer. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger on a cocktail pick.
Sips & Tips
Technique
The float is the defining technique of the Penicillin. Pour the Islay Scotch slowly over the back of a bar spoon — the goal is a distinct smoky layer that the drinker encounters on the nose before each sip. Use a heavily peated Islay like Laphroaig or Ardbeg for maximum impact. The honey-ginger syrup is easy to make: simmer equal parts honey and water with fresh ginger slices for 10 minutes, then strain.
Balance
The base is a classic sour — 2:¾:¾ of spirit, citrus, and sweetener. The blended Scotch should be approachable and malty; Monkey Shoulder is the classic choice. The Islay float is just ¼ oz — enough to perfume every sip without overwhelming the drink. If you want more smoke, increase to ½ oz. The honey-ginger syrup does double duty: the honey softens the lemon, the ginger adds warmth.
History
The Penicillin was created by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey in New York City in 2005. It's one of the most celebrated modern cocktails — a perfect example of how a simple twist on the classic sour format can create something entirely new. The name is a nod to the antibiotic, with the implication that this drink cures what ails you.
The Penicillin is the modern classic that proved the sour format still had room to grow. Smoke, honey, ginger, lemon — every element earns its place. Cheers.
Variations
All-Islay Penicillin
Use Islay Scotch as the base instead of blended Scotch, and skip the float. The result is intensely smoky throughout — a bolder, more challenging drink. Use a slightly sweeter Islay like Bowmore to balance the peat.
Rye Penicillin
Swap the blended Scotch for rye whiskey and use a small mezcal float instead of Islay Scotch. The rye's spice plays beautifully against the honey and ginger, and the mezcal adds smokiness without the medicinal peat character.
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Penicillin
Glass: Rocks | Difficulty: Medium | ABV: ~22%
Ingredients
- 2 oz blended scotch whisky
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz honey-ginger syrup
- ¼ oz islay scotch whisky
Instructions
Combine the blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 12 seconds — you want this drink cold and well-integrated. Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass over a large, clear ice cube. Now the float: pour the Islay Scotch slowly over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface of the drink. The smoky whisky will sit on top, creating a dramatic aromatic layer. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger on a cocktail pick.