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Penicillin Cocktail

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A penicillin cocktail is the perfect prescription whenever you're feeling a bit poorly or down in spirits. This aptly named elixir is sure to cure just about anything that ails you. With a comforting combination of honey, lemon, and ginger, the flavor profile is very reminiscent of a classic hot toddy, albeit a chilled one. And yet somehow it offers a more beguiling sort of warmth. In addition to a reassuring base of blended Scotch, the penicillin also boasts a finishing float of Islay single malt Scotch, which brings rich woodiness and a crackling fireplace kind of coziness to the mix. Looking for a little solace of the cocktail variety? Drink one and call me in the morning.

Penicillin cocktail in an old fashioned glass garnished with a slice of crystallized ginger skewered by a crystal cocktail pick.

Honey simple syrup is an essential ingredient for this cocktail, but don't despair...it's incredibly quick and easy to make. All you need is honey, water, and a few minutes over the stove. (I like to have some on hand at all times, and it also keeps practically forever.)

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Ingredients for a Penicillin Cocktail

Ingredients for a penicillin cocktail.
  • blended Scotch whisky
  • ginger liqueur 
  • fresh lemon juice
  • honey simple syrup
  • ice...plenty for shaking and preferably one big cube for serving
  • Islay single malt Scotch whisky
  • slice of crystallized ginger or lemon wheel, to garnish (optional)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for a Penicillin Cocktail

Slices of crystallized ginger on a brown cutting board next to a serrated knife.

Carefully slice the crystallized ginger for garnish, if using.

Pale yellow liquid in an old fashioned glass juicer next to two lemon halves and a small knife.

Squeeze the fresh lemon juice. (And maybe cut a lemon wheel for garnish, if desired.)

Pale brown liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a metal cocktail shaker next to a bottle of blended Scotch.

Pour the blended Scotch whisky into a cocktail shaker.

Pale yellow liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a metal cocktail shaker next to a bottle of ginger liqueur.

Add the ginger liqueur.

Pale yellow liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a metal cocktail shaker next to an old fashioned glass juicer.

Then pour in the fresh lemon juice.

Amber brown liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a metal cocktail shaker next to a jar of honey simple syrup.

Finally, add the honey simple syrup.

Ice cubes being tipped from a white plastic ice scoop into a metal cocktail shaker.

Add plenty of ice.

Pale yellow liquid being strained from a cocktail shaker over a large ice cube in a chilled old fashioned glass.

Then shake until well-chilled and strain into a chilled old fashioned glass over fresh ice (preferably one large cube).

Pale amber liquid being tipped from a small metal spoon into pale yellow liquid with a large ice cube in an old fashioned glass next to a bottle of single malt Scotch.

Top with the Islay single malt Scotch whisky.

Penicillin cocktail in an old fashioned glass garnished with a slice of crystallized ginger skewered by a crystal cocktail pick.

Garnish with a slice of crystallized ginger or lemon wheel, if desired, and serve immediately.

Hint: Ultimately, the final flavor profile of this cocktail will certainly be influenced by the particular bottles of Scotch that you choose to employ, so I recommend letting your favorites be your guide. And if you don't happen to be a fan of strong peaty elements in your Scotch, you can of course omit the finishing float of Islay single malt.

Looking for more cocktail recipes to revive your spirits? Try these:

📖 Recipe

Penicillin cocktail in an old fashioned glass garnished with a slice of crystallized ginger skewered by a crystal cocktail pick.
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Penicillin Cocktail

A penicillin cocktail is the perfect prescription whenever you're feeling a bit poorly or down in spirits. This aptly named elixir is sure to cure just about anything that ails you. With a comforting combination of honey, lemon, and ginger, the flavor profile is very reminiscent of a classic hot toddy, albeit a chilled one. And yet somehow it offers a more beguiling sort of warmth. In addition to a reassuring base of blended Scotch, the penicillin also boasts a finishing float of Islay single malt Scotch, which brings rich woodiness and a crackling fireplace kind of coziness to the mix. Looking for a little solace of the cocktail variety? Drink one and call me in the morning.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword cocktail
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 drink

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces blended Scotch whisky
  • ½ ounce ginger liqueur
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • ½ ounce honey simple syrup
  • ice (plenty for shaking and preferably one big cube for serving)
  • ½ ounce Islay single malt Scotch whisky
  • slice of crystallized ginger or lemon wheel, to garnish optional

Instructions

  • Pour the blended Scotch whisky, ginger liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and honey simple syrup into a cocktail shaker along with plenty of ice.
  • Shake until well-chilled and strain into a chilled old fashioned glass over fresh ice.
  • Top with the Islay single malt Scotch whisky.
  • Garnish with a slice of crystallized ginger or lemon wheel, if desired, and serve immediately.

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