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.
The Scotch Old Fashioned Recipe:
The Scotch Old Fashioned is a riff on the original that highlights smoke and oak in the flavor profile. Keep reading to learn the recipe.
Grapefruit Penicillin Recipe:
The Penicillin Cocktail was created in 2005, named as a joke on its cure-all properties. After all, we can’t drink Hot Toddies every night of winter
The Morning Glory Fizz:
An early example of a "hair of the dog" cocktail, the Morning Glory Fizz shakes up Scotch, protein, and vitamin C. Check it out here!
Poinsettia Old Fashioned:
This holiday twist on the Old Fashioned pays homage to everyone’s favorite seasonal perennial, the brilliant red poinsettia plant.
The Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned Recipe:
S'more lovers stuck indoors for the winter will love this fireplace-ready smoky Old Fashioned with toasted marshmallow. Get the recipe here!
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.