Penicillin
A celebrated modern classic created by Sam Ross, the Penicillin serves as a cure-all for the cocktail soul. It balances the spicy heat of fresh ginger and the floral sweetness of honey with tart lemon juice, all grounded by a base of blended Scotch. The drink is famously finished with a float of smoky Islay whisky, providing an aromatic peat smoke nose without overpowering the palate.
What it tastes like
The aroma is dominated by medicinal peat and smoke from the whisky float. The palate combines sharp ginger spice with honey sweetness and bright lemon acidity. It has a silky mouthfeel and finishes with a lingering warmth of smoke and spice.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Blended Scotch Whisky2 oz
- Fresh Lemon Juice0.75 oz
- Honey Syrup2 tsp
- Ginger Syrup2 tsp
- Islay Single Malt Scotch0.25 oz
- Candied Ginger1 ml
Preparation
- 1
Combine the blended Scotch, lemon juice, honey syrup, and ginger syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- 2
Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until the tin is frosty.
- 3
Strain the mixture into a chilled Old Fashioned glass over a fresh, large ice cube.
- 4
Gently float the Islay single malt Scotch on top of the drink by pouring it over the back of a bar spoon.
- 5
Garnish with a piece of candied ginger on a pick or balanced on the ice.
Substitutions
- Blended Scotch WhiskyJapanese Whisky — This results in a cleaner, more floral base while maintaining the structure of the cocktail.
- Honey SyrupAgave Nectar — Agave provides a leaner sweetness with earthy undertones compared to the floral profile of honey.
- Ginger SyrupMuddled Fresh Ginger — Using fresh ginger increases the sharp, raw heat but may result in a thinner texture.
- Islay Single Malt ScotchMezcal — Mezcal offers a vegetal, earthy smokiness that differs from the medicinal, briny smoke of Islay Scotch.
Variations
Medicina Latina
Replace the blended scotch with reposado tequila and the Islay float with a smoky mezcal for an agave-based version.
Apple Penicillin
Swap half of the blended scotch for apple brandy to add a crisp, autumnal fruitiness to the smoky profile.