Penicillin Cocktail Recipe (with Easy Step-by-Step Video)

Treat yourself with a penicillin cocktail to be cured of all your pains. Scotch, ginger and lemon makes this cocktail exactly what the doctor ordered.

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The Penicillin cocktail is a modern classic that combines smoky Scotch, spicy ginger, honey, and citrus.🍋

Learn how to make this award-winning drink created by Sam Ross that’s taking over cocktail menus worldwide. Perfect for whisky lovers and adventurous drinkers! 🥃 This drink is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Penicillin cocktail

Penicillin Cocktail

Recipe by Julian Solorzano
5.0 from 1 vote

The Penicillin is a contemporary classic cocktail that combines blended Scotch whisky with fresh lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and a float of peated Islay Scotch, creating a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, smoky, and sour flavors.

Course: Rocks (Old-Fashioned) GlassCuisine: ContemporaryDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

servings
Calories

200

kcal
Total time

3

minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Ounces Blended Scotch (Monkey Shoulder or Compass Box Great King Street)

  • 1/4 Ounce Islay Single Malt Scotch (Laphroaig 10 Year preferred)

  • 3/4 Ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

  • 3/4 Ounce Honey-Ginger Syrup

  • 1 Piece Candied Ginger (for garnish)

Directions

  • Combine blended Scotch, fresh lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup in a shaker.
  • Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds.
  • Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
  • Float the Islay Scotch on top using a bar spoon.
  • Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.

Equipment

Recipe Video

Notes

  • For the honey-ginger syrup, combine equal parts honey and hot water, then steep with fresh ginger for 30 minutes.
  • The float of Islay Scotch is crucial – don’t skip it! It adds that essential smoky aroma.
  • Can’t find candied ginger? A lemon twist works in a pinch.
Vertical image of the penicillin cocktail with rosemary garnish.
Vertical image of the penicillin cocktail with rosemary garnish.

Why I Like It

The Penicillin is just one of the cocktails that use my favorite ingredient, honey syrup. if you are curious about other cocktails that use honey syrup or just about syrups in general, check out our Guide on “everything you need to know about honey syrups” post.

Like Chandler Bing’s sarcasm, this drink is sharp, witty, and surprisingly sweet! 😏 The combination of smoky Scotch and spicy ginger is like the Ross and Rachel of flavor combinations – they were clearly meant to be together.

Plus, it’s one of those rare cocktails that manages to be both sophisticated and fun, like watching Friends reruns while wearing a tuxedo!

The Best Ingredients For a Penicillin

Let’s get specific about what makes this cocktail truly shine!

For the Blended Scotch Base: Compass Box Great King Street Artist’s Blend is my absolute favorite for this cocktail – it’s got the perfect balance of fruit and maltiness. Monkey Shoulder also works beautifully, while Famous Grouse provides a solid budget-friendly option.

For the Smoky Float: Laphroaig 10 Year is the traditional choice and my personal go-to. It’s like adding a campfire to your glass! Ardbeg 10 Year works wonderfully too, while Caol Ila 12 Year offers a slightly gentler smoke profile.

For the Honey-Ginger Component:

  • Local raw honey is essential – forget the processed stuff!
  • Fresh young ginger root (the younger, the less fibrous)
  • Pro tip: Look for organic ginger with smooth, thin skin for the best flavor
Image of penicillin cocktail with garnish.
Image of penicillin cocktail with garnish.

A Brief History of the Penicillin

Created by Sam Ross in 2005 while working at Milk & Honey in New York City, the Penicillin is practically a baby in cocktail years. Yet it’s achieved something remarkable – it’s already considered a modern classic, appearing on prestigious cocktail menus worldwide.

Ross was riffing on the classic Gold Rush (a bourbon, honey, and lemon combination) when he had his eureka moment.

By splitting the base spirit between blended Scotch and a float of peated Islay whisky, he created something entirely new and exciting.

The Penicillin has inspired countless variations and helped spark a revival in Scotch cocktails. It’s often credited with making peated whisky more approachable to newcomers, kind of like how Leonardo DiCaprio made period dramas cool again! 🌟

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast or just starting your cocktail journey, this drink offers something special – like finding out there’s one more episode of your favorite show when you thought the season was over!

Jedain crimson cocktail 2.
Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

Hey there! 👋 I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old Cocktail enthusiast from Columbus, Ohio. I've fallen head over heels for the art of crafting cocktails, with a particular passion for anything whiskey-based. (Bourbon has captured my heart).

This blog documents my adventures in mixology (shakers, stirrers, and all). Follow along as I explore classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, share my favorite Bourbon discoveries, and chronicle my journey through the world of craft spirits and cocktail creation.

Nick eggert.
Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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