Penicillin Cocktail features honey ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice which lightens blended Scotch for a fortifying, belly-warming drink with Islay Scotch floated on top.

The Penicillin Cocktail Recipe is one of my favorites from my Cocktails recipes.

Penicillin Cocktail in an old fashioned glass

The Penicillin Cocktail

Honey, ginger, and belly-warming blended Scotch all combine in one harmonious, home-cure-inspired cocktail known as the Penicillin.

Topped with a woodsmoke, medicinally-aromatic layer of Islay Scotch (pronounced eye-la), the Penicillin Cocktail might be the next drink you reach for on a rough day.

What’s in a Penicillin Cocktail?

The secret to making the perfect penicillin cocktail 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 Cocktail History

The Penicillin Cocktail 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 Cocktail?

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.

This cocktail’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 cocktail…

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 Cocktail as a twist on the Gold Rush cocktail with Scotch.

How to Make a Penicillin Cocktail

To make a penicillin cocktail, start by checking your bar cart or bar fridge—do you have honey ginger syrup or honey syrup available?

Try making this honey syrup, then pouring ¾ oz into the rocks glass and muddling 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 cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake until well mixed. Fill the rocks glass with ice. Then, pour the Penicillin Cocktail mixture over the ice.

Next, use a spoon to float the Islay Scotch over the cocktail.

Two photos showing how to make a Penicillin Cocktail – floating Islay Scotch over the back of a spoon

Do this by pouring the Islay Scotch gently over the back of the spoon—creating a floating layer of Islay on the Penicillin cocktail.

Lastly, garnish with a stainless steel skewer with candied ginger and a lemon peel.

Two photos showing how to make this drinks recipe – adding ginger skewer garnish

Now, sip and enjoy!

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Thank you!

Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoying another cocktail recipe adventure with me. Make this recipe, 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 ❤️