Cocktail
Penicillin
Blended Scotch, lemon, honey and fresh ginger meet a small float of smoky Islay whisky. An adventurous modern classic with a warming finish.
Whiskey · Smoky · Spicy
Ingredients
- 60 ml Blended Scotch whisky
- 7.5 ml Smoky Islay whisky (smoky whisky, for the float)
- 22.5 ml Lemon (fresh juice)
- 22.5 ml Honey syrup (1:1)
- 3 pieces Fresh ginger (thin coin-sized slices)
Ice and water are assumed. Add everything else you have.
Method
Muddle & shake
Equipment: Jigger or measuring spoon · Cocktail shaker · Strainer
- Firmly crush the ginger slices in a shaker to release their juice.
- Add the blended Scotch, lemon and honey syrup. Add ice and shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Pour the smoky Islay whisky slowly over the top using the back of a spoon.
A small detail
Keep the smoky whisky separate until the last step. Its aroma is strongest when it floats on the surface.
Estimated strength
Varies
What does this mean?
Per serving: Alcohol total · ≈ 21.3 g alcohol
An estimate, not a measurement. Dilution lowers concentration but does not remove alcohol. Check your bottle label. These typical alcohol levels can vary by brand and market.
Added water from ice: 25%. Water added as a percentage of the measured liquid before mixing. Ice melt varies with temperature, time and technique.
Some ingredient alcohol levels or liquid volumes are unknown.
Plan for a party
Mix individually
Fresh preparation makes the difference here. Use these totals to shop, then make each serving separately.
Guests: 6
Fresh preparation makes the difference here. Use these totals to shop, then make each serving separately.
One recipe serving per guest. Choose the amount you want to prepare.
Ingredients for the party
- 360 ml Blended Scotch whisky
- 45 ml Smoky Islay whisky (smoky whisky, for the float)
- 135 ml Lemon (fresh juice)
- 135 ml Honey syrup (1:1)
- 18 pieces Fresh ginger (thin coin-sized slices)
Water for the batch
Keep the ice and water steps in the single-serving method. Scaling ingredients alone does not replace chilling or dilution.
Prepare and serve
- Prepare fresh juice close to serving and keep it chilled separately unless it is explicitly in the base. Fresh batches are for this service, not an overnight storage promise.
- Muddle the fruit, cucumber or ginger per serving. Pre-measuring is fine; a large stored mash changes the extraction and texture.
- Keep the float or layered ingredient separate. Follow the original pouring order in each glass.
The list saves ingredient names, not party quantities. Check the totals above against how much you have. Garnishes and ice are not added.
Bartender sources: Campari Academy: batching techniques · Dave Arnold: measuring dilution and batching · Simon Difford: water and dilution · Jeffrey Morgenthaler: batch calculator
Sources & inspiration
About this recipe
Recipes and house adaptations have source links. Measures, substitutions and estimated strength are explained separately. Images are AI-generated illustrations.
We do not claim every recipe has been physically tested. Community reviews are moderated user reports, separate from recipe sources.
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