Penicillin
Scotch, lemon, honey-ginger, peaty float — a modern classic.
Ingredients
| Blended Scotch whisky | 2 oz |
| Fresh lemon juice | 0.75 oz |
| Honey-ginger syrup | 0.75 oz |
| Islay Scotch (float) | 0.25 oz |
| Total volume | 3.75 oz |
Garnish: Candied ginger
Tip: change “Make” to scale the recipe, or switch units for the metric world.
How to make it
Shaken · Advanced · about 3 minutes
- 1
Add the blended scotch whisky, fresh lemon juice and honey-ginger syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- 2
Shake hard for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker frosts over.
- 3
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- 4
Float the islay scotch over the top, pouring gently over the back of a bar spoon.
- 5
Garnish with candied ginger.
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
This example makes 12 servings with added water at 27% of the full recipe volume before dilution. This is a planning assumption; water from ice at service is not predicted. Edit this recipe and create a purchase sheet →
| Ingredient | × 12 | mL |
|---|---|---|
| Blended Scotch whisky | 24.0 oz | 710 |
| Fresh lemon juice | 9.0 oz | 266 |
| Honey-ginger syrup | 9.0 oz | 266 |
| Islay Scotch (float) | 3.0 oz | 89 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Penicillin, try…
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Manhattan
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John Collins
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Penicillin FAQ
What's in a Penicillin?
A classic Penicillin is made with blended scotch whisky, fresh lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, islay scotch (float). It's shaken and served in a rocks glass.
What is the ABV of a Penicillin?
The listed ingredients calculate to approximately 26.0% ABV before added water or ice melt, with approximately 1.63 US standard drinks per serving. Water lowers the concentration but does not change the alcohol quantity.
Should I shake or stir a Penicillin?
Shake it. Citrus and other non-spirit ingredients need the aeration and hard chill that shaking gives.
How do I batch Penicillins for a party?
Scale each ingredient by your number of servings. Open this recipe in the batch planner to choose added water, package sizes and ingredients to hold for service. Preset water percentages are planning assumptions applied to all recipe liquid before dilution, not predictions of ice melt.