There are no antibiotics in this drink, but it’s a pretty fail-safe remedy for the winter blues. An incredibly flavorful, Scotch-based cocktail, the Penicillin manages to be both boozy and refreshing. Fresh lemon and ginger provide pleasing bite, while honey adds smoothness.
In addition to the blended Scotch base, a float of Islay Scotch finishes things off. The Penicillin may not be a household name yet, but if its ranking on the list of the globe’s most popular cocktails is a testament to its fame, it’s bound to become one soon. Now, read more about the rest of the world’s top 50 cocktails.
Ingredients
2 ounces blended Scotch, such as Monkey Shoulder or Famous Grouse
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce honey simple syrup
4 nickel-sized slices of ginger
¼ ounce smoky Islay Scotch
Directions
Put ginger slices and honey syrup in the base of a shaker and gently muddle.
Combine other ingredients (except Islay Scotch) and shake with ice.
Double-strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
Float the Islay Scotch over the top of the drink by pouring it over a bar spoon for even distribution.
R&D’s Hot Oaxacan Penicillin - This Hot Oaxacan Penicillin contains classic components of both the Hot Toddy and the Penicillin, with ginger, honey, lemon, and hot water.
Grapefruit Penicillin - The grapefruit brings some seasonal flavor to this cocktail, adding a winter element. This is a great cocktail for a pre-dinner cocktail hour to get your appetite going.
The Smoky Tea Penicillin - For this twist on a Penicillin, cocktail columnist Natalie Migliarini uses smoky black tea from China.
High Rye Gold Rush:
Johnnie Walker High Rye shines in this riff on the popular modern classic, the Gold Rush, originally made with rye whiskey.
The Millionaire’s Holiday:
Sometimes, a decadent drink is all it takes to feel like a million bucks. Check out the Millionaire’s Holiday cocktail recipe here!
Bobby Burns:
A riff on the Rob Roy, the Bobby Burns is a deep amber-colored cocktail brimming with a burst of citrus to counter sweet and savory notes.
Johnnie Walker Bobby Burns:
This Rob Roy, topped with a lemon peel, is a complex classic worthy of regular rotation in your seasonal cocktail repertoire.
Candied Apple Manhattan:
In the Candied Apple Manhattan, Johnnie Walker Black Label’s flavors of smoke and spice star in this variation on the storied cocktail.
The Inside Baseball Recipe:
Bar manager Brett Adams created this cocktail — a combination of Scotch, mezcal, amaro, and Italian liqueur — as an alternative to the Margarita.