Penicillin
The Penicillin is an IBA New Era Drink: 5 ingredients, shaken and served in a rocks glass. That makes 150 ml in the glass: a middling measure.
MethodShaken
GlassRocks glass
In the glass150 ml
Strength18.1%
Ingredients
- 60 mlscotch whisky
- 7.5 mlpeated scotch
- 22.5 mlfresh lemon juice
- 22.5 mlhoney syrup
- 6 mlginger
Method
- 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.
- Fine train into a chilled Old Fashioned glass with ice.
- Float the single malt whisky on top.
Garnish: Garnish with candied ginger slices.
What it tastes like
- bitter → sweet
- It leans dry: 0.9 out of 10 of bitterness, 58th of 186.
- round → sour
- Acidity leaves it halfway: 102nd of 186, and the acid comes from fresh lemon juice.
- light → strong
- 18.1% after dilution: the middle band, 59th of 186.
Its closest neighbour is the Gin Rickey: 97 out of 100 for similarity.
Five that come close
- Gin RickeyBuilt on gin and with gin in place of scotch whisky.
- Gin Basil SmashSweeter and built on gin.
- Army & Navy3 degrees stronger and built on gin.
- Scotch SourMore sour and 3 degrees lighter.
- New York SourMore sour and with rye whiskey in place of scotch whisky.
Every drink near the Penicillin on the map
Recipe source: IBA · checked on 30 October 2026