Penicillin Cocktail
The Cure for a Dull Drink
The Penicillin Cocktail is another drink from the legendary Milk and Honey cocktail bar that is well on its way to becoming a contemporary classic. You make it with Blended Scotch, honey and ginger syrup, lemon juice and finish it with an Islay Scotch float.
The Islay Scotch float is the touch of genius that adds a hint of smoky flavor to add complexity to the sweetness from the honey and lemon juice while also balancing out any sharpness from the citrus fruit.
How to make a penicillin cocktail
The Penicillin cocktail is a sour cocktail. It has the classic sour balance of spirit, sugar and acid. In addition, there are three elements that make this cocktail unique.
- Blended Scotch – Scotch is gaining popularity as a base for cocktails, but it is still relatively rare as a cocktail ingredient. Blended Scotch is approachable and has a broad range of flavours that can make a cocktail more interesting.
- Ginger and Honey Syrup – Ginger and honey syrup is a delicious and easy way to add flavor to cocktails, sodas, or even tea. Ginger and honey bring heat and spice to this drink. Then, smoky Scotch flavours balance it all out.
- Islay Scotch float – Islay Scotch has a distinct smoky flavour that has earned it a lot of fans around the world. Its strong smoky flavours can be divisive, but for people that like the style it is a favourite.
This is a cocktail that contains citrus juice. That means you will shake it. Combine everything in a shaker or mixing glass with ice. Shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice when it is well chilled and diluted.
Penicillin Cocktail Ingredients
Blended Scotch
A distiller or blender makes blended scotch by combining grain whiskey and a variety of Single Malt Scotches. Where Single Malt Scotch has singular, distinct flavours, Blended Scotch showcases a broad range of flavours.
A couple of my favourite Blended Scotches for the Penicillin Cocktail would be Great King’s Street Artist’s Blend from Compass Box, Black Bottle or Monkey Shoulder. They are all quality whiskies at good prices.
Islay Scotch
Islay scotch is a type of single malt scotch that is produced on the Isle of Islay. It is made from malted barley that is dried over a peat fire, which gives it its characteristic smoky flavor.
There are currently eight distilleries on the Isle of Islay producing Islay scotch: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig. Each distillery has its own unique flavor profile, and all of them are worth trying if you’re a fan of single malt scotch.
At Milk and Honey they used Laphroaig in the original recipe. This is still a great choice, but feel free to switch it up. ArdBeg is great if you want a little more intense smoke, Bowmore if you want to dial it back a bit.
Ginger Syrup
Ginger syrup is a delicious and easy way to add flavor to cocktails, sodas, or even tea. It’s also a great way to add a bit of sweetness without using refined sugar.
To make ginger syrup, simply combine 1 cup of sliced fresh ginger with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, then discard the ginger. Pour the syrup into a jar or bottle and refrigerate until needed. The syrup will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
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Penicillin Cocktail History
Sam Ross is the creator of the Penicillin Cocktail. He is a bartender and mixologist who has worked at some of the best bars in the world, including Milk and Honey in New York City and The London EDITION. He is currently the head bartender at Attaboy in New York City.
Ross created the Penicillin by playing around with the Gold Rush, another classic Milk and Honey cocktail. He layered a float of Compass Box’s Peat Monster scotch on top of a Scotch sour made with a mix of honey and ginger syrup. The drink was a hit from the beginning, and Ross has since become known for it.
Penicillin Cocktail Recipe
This delicious cocktail from Milk & Honey in NYC is quickly becoming a house favorite. Learn how to make it yourself with this simple recipe.
- cocktail shaker
- strainer
- 2 oz Blended Scotch Whisky
- 3/4 oz Ginger and honey syrup
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/4 oz Islay Single Malt Scotch
Variations on the penicillin cocktail recipe
The recipe for the Penicillin cocktail is very adaptable. There are several popular variations. A few of our favorites are a Penicillin-Tequila: This variation replaces the Islay Scotch float with tequila.
A Mezcal Penicillin cocktail is also a great choice. Smoky mezcal is a delicious alternative to Islay Scotch.
Gin and rum are make great alternatives to Scotch as well. Play around with the different components until you find you favourite.
Why you should drink a penicillin cocktail tonight!
There are many reasons why you should drink a Penicillin Cocktail tonight! Here are just a few of them. The Penicillin Cocktail is a tasty and refreshing drink that is perfect for any occasion. If you like the combination of spice, smoke and malt whisky flavours this is a fantastic cocktail for you. It has a distinct flavour that is unique and enjoyable.
It is easily adaptable. There are many variations of the recipe that can be made, so you can find the perfect one for you.
The penicillin cocktail is a great drink to make at home with ingredients that you likely have on hand. If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage tonight that feels like it may be a cure for what ails you, consider making yourself a Penicillin Cocktail.
Sour Cocktails
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Bourbon Cocktails
Keep an eye out for our guide to Bourbon cocktails. Coming soon.
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