Penicillin (cocktail)

The Penicillin is an IBA official cocktail made with Scotch whisky, ginger, honey syrup, and fresh lemon juice.^[1]

Penicillin

IBA official cocktail
Type	Cocktail
Base spirit	Whisky
Served	On the rocks: poured over ice
Standard garnish	Candied ginger
Standard drinkware	Old fashioned glass
IBA specified ingredients†	60 ml blended Scotch whisky 7.5 ml Lagavulin 16y whisky 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice 22.5 ml honey syrup 2–3 quarter-sized slices of fresh ginger
Preparation	Muddle fresh ginger in a shaker and add the remaining ingredients, except for the Islay single malt whisky. Fill the shaker with ice and shake. Double-strain into a chilled old fashioned glass with ice. Float the single malt whisky on top.
† Penicillin recipe at International Bartenders Association

History

The drink was created in 2005 by Australian bartender Sam Ross living in New York at the time. Its name derives from the drug penicillin, discovered by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming, hinting to the medicinal properties of some of its ingredients, with suggested effects similar to that of a hot toddy which is said to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu.^[2][3]

It was first served in 2005 at Milk & Honey.^[4] In 2024, the Penicillin was the 11th most commonly ordered cocktail at bars worldwide.^[5]

See also

• List of cocktails