The smoky and malty flavors of scotch whiskey make it a great base spirit for many cocktails. In this article, you can learn how to mix a Penicillin cocktail, from what ingredients to use to when to serve it and delicious foods to pair it with.
Classic Penicillin Cocktail Recipe
Think of the Penicillin as a whiskey sour, only slightly elevated. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 ounces blended scotch
- 1/2 ounces of single malt scotch
- 2 ounces of fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounces of honey syrup
- 4 fresh ginger slices
- Candied ginger to garnish
After you gather your ingredients, follow these steps:
- Muddle the ginger slices in your cocktail shaker.
- Shake the scotch, honey, and lemon juice with some ice until well chilled.
- Strain into a lowball glass with ice.
- Over the back of a spoon, pour the single malt scotch so it remains at the top of the drink.
- Add the candied ginger as a garnish, and serve.
Why Do You Need Two Types of Scotch?
The Penicillin is a unique cocktail that will appeal to scotch lovers. But if you’re not one, then you might wonder if a cocktail with two distinct types isn’t overkill.
Well, each type brings different things to the table:
- Blended Scotch: Adds subtle layers of vanilla and candied fruit.
- Single malt: Adds earthy depth to the cocktail and slight smoky nuances. It’s a more potent flavor, which is why it’s only used at the end.
Calories and Alcohol Content
Penicillin is a rather light drink with around 94 calories per serving and 6g of carbs. But it does pack a stronger punch, with an ABV of around 19%. You’re supposed to sip the Penicillin, so take your time with it.
How Do You Serve a Penicillin Cocktail?
The next time you want to make this cocktail, remember these simple tips:
- Use a rocks glass with a large ice cube: This cocktail is best served chilled, but you’re also supposed to take your time with it. Smaller ice cubes can melt and water down your beverage, but a larger cube helps keep it just right.
- Use fresh lemon juice: This is a boozy and slightly sour cocktail, so it’s best to stick with fresh lemon juice. Bottled ones have extra sugar and will completely change the flavor profile.
- Make some honey-ginger syrup: If you want to lower your prep time, you can make some honey syrup infused with ginger beforehand. Add them to a small saucepan with some water, bring to a boil, and let it simmer for a few minutes, then turn the heat off. It’s best to use this honey-ginger syrup recipe the day before so the flavors can properly settle.
- Serve with meat-based meals: This cocktail complements heavier dishes like pork chops, steaks, or even a juicy beef burger.
Penicillin Cocktail Recipe Variations
Here are two other variations of this modern classic cocktail:
- Whiskey Sour: Mix bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, and egg whites to get one of the best sour cocktails. You can also upgrade it to a Scotch Sour if you prefer Scotch whisky.
- Godfather: Use scotch and amaretto for a unique drink that packs a big punch.
Final Thoughts
The Penicillin is a unique cocktail made specifically for those who never say no to a good scotch. The combination of lemon and honey syrup helps bring out its flavors even further, and honestly, everyone should try it at least once.
Consider this your sign to mix this cocktail today!
