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Honey ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice lighten blended Scotch for a fortifying, belly-warming Penicillin co*cktail with Islay Scotch floated on top.
The Penicillin co*cktail Recipe is one of my favorites from my co*cktails recipes.
this recipe
The Penicillin co*cktail
Honey, ginger, and belly-warming blended Scotch all combine in one harmonious, home-cure-inspired co*cktail known as the Penicillin.
Topped with a woodsmoke, medicinally-aromatic layer of Islay Scotch (pronounced eye-la), the Penicillin co*cktail might be the next drink you reach for on a rough day, over a hot toddy.
What’s in a Penicillin co*cktail?
The secret to making the perfect penicillin co*cktail is gently floating the very last ingredient—Islay Scotch.
This ingredient creates a medicinal-inspired layer of Scotch that’s the “spoonful” of medicine that’s “taken” before you get to the sweet and comforting honey ginger concoction beneath.
- Blended Scotch
- Lemon juice
- Honey ginger syrup
- Ice
- Islay Scotch floated on top
Penicillin co*cktail History
The Penicillin co*cktail was invented in 2005 by Sam Ross, a bartender at the popular New York-based bar Milk & Honey. [1] [2]
But why is it named Penicillin co*cktail?
If you know about the drug penicillin, you know that it was discovered by Alexander Fleming and his student, Cecil George Paine, to be effective against bacterial infection.
The Penicillin co*cktail’s name indicates that it might have a kind of curative effect on those feeling ill.
Think of it this way: when some folks feel a cold coming on, they make a hot toddy drink to soothe their sore throats and warm their bellies.
Whereas some might make this Penicillin co*cktail…
- as the honey ginger syrup is thought to be restorative and throat-soothing,
- the Islay Scotch tastes and smells like medicine while warming your belly on a cold night,
- and the lemon juice is packed with Vitamin C.
Meanwhile, Sam Ross created the Penicillin co*cktail as a twist on the Gold Rush co*cktail with Scotch.
How to Make a Penicillin co*cktail
To make a penicillin co*cktail, start by checking your bar cart or bar fridge—do you have honey ginger syrup or honey syrup available?
If you have honey syrup, pour ¾ oz into the rocks glass and muddle it with a few slices of fresh ginger—this will serve as your honey ginger syrup.
Next, add blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey ginger syrup to a co*cktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake until well mixed.
Now, fill the rocks glass with ice. Then, pour the Penicillin co*cktail mixture over the ice.
Next, use a spoon to float the Islay Scotch over the co*cktail.
Do this by pouring the Islay Scotch gently over the back of the spoon—creating a floating layer of Islay on the Penicillin co*cktail.
Lastly, garnish with a stainless steel skewerwith candied ginger and a lemon peel.
Now, enjoy the unique Penicillin co*cktail!
More co*cktails We Love
- How to Make a Greyhound Drink
- Cadillac Margarita
- French Gimlet or the originalGimlet co*cktail Recipe
- Dirty Martini
- Coffee Martini
- Bee’s Knees co*cktail
- measuring jigger
- rocks glass
- stainless steel skewers
Thank you!
Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoying another co*cktail recipe adventure with me. Make this Penicillin co*cktail, then share a pic on Instagram or Facebook, tagging me at @beamingbaker and #beamingbaker. I can’t wait!
‘Til our next shaken, not stirred adventure…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
THE Penicillin co*cktail Recipe
- Author: Demeter | Beaming Baker
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 co*cktail 1x
Description
Honey ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice lighten blended Scotch for a fortifying, belly-warming Penicillin co*cktail with Islay Scotch floated.
Ingredients
Scale
co*cktail
- 2 oz blended Scotch
- ¾ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce honey ginger syrup* or
- ¾ ounce honey syrup*
- 3 slices fresh ginger*
- Ice
- ¼ oz Islay Scotch
Garnish
- Candied ginger
- Lemon peel
Instructions
- Add blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey ginger syrup to a co*cktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until very well mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Pour Islay Scotch over the back of a spoon onto the co*cktail to float it.
- Garnish with candied ginger and a lemon peel or lemon wedge.
Notes
*If you only have honey syrup, muddle the ginger into your rocks glass. Then, follow the rest of the recipe as instructed.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks, co*cktails
- Method: No Cook, Chill
More Drink Recipes
- To quench your thirst…Cucumber Mint Water
- Gibson Drink
- Extra Dirty Martini
- Irish Mule Recipe
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