
Cocktail
Penicillin
Der Penicillin-Cocktail ist ein erfrischendes und aromatisches Getränk, das aus schottischem Whisky, frischem Zitronensaft, Honigsirup und einem Hauch von rauchigem Islay-Whisky besteht. Seine ausgewogene Mischung aus süßen, sauren und rauchigen Aromen macht ihn zu einem einzigartigen Genuss, der sowohl Whisky-Liebhaber als auch Cocktail-Fans begeistert. Ideal für besondere Anlässe oder einen gemütlichen
- rauchig
- süß
- zitronig
- würzig
- Prep Time
- 7 min
- Glass
- Old-fashioned glass
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- ABV
- 22%
- Yields
- 1 serving
Nur wenige cocktail Rezepte bieten dieses rauchig and süß Erlebnis wie der Penicillin. Mit Scotch als Basis ist er in etwa 7 Minuten fertig. Eines der meistgeklickten Rezepte: "Whisky".
Key Takeaways
What you’ll learn
- The Penicillin combines blended scotch, fresh lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and an Islay scotch float — four distinct flavour elements in perfect balance.
- Created by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey, New York in 2005, it is widely recognised as the most important modern classic cocktail of the 21st century.
- Homemade honey-ginger syrup is essential for authentic spicy-sweet balance; no commercial substitute captures the same freshness.
- The Islay scotch float is not decorative — it creates the intense smoky aroma that hits your nose with every sip, defining the cocktail's experience.
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Ingredients
- Serves
- 1 serving
- Glass
- Old-fashioned glass
- Prep
- 7 min
- 2 ozBlended Scotch
- 3/4 ozLemon Juice
- 2 tspHoney syrup
- 2 tspGinger Syrup
- 1/4 ozIslay single malt Scotch
Method
Preparation
- 01
Schüttle den gemischten Scotch, Zitronensaft, Honigsirup und Ingwersirup mit Eis. Seiße über große Eiswürfel in ein gekühltes Tumbler-Glas. Lasse rauchigen Scotch obenauf schwimmen (achte darauf, einen rauchigen Scotch wie einen Islay Single Malt zu verwenden). Garniere mit kandiertem Ingwer.
Origin
History & Origins
In 2005, bartender Sam Ross was working at Milk & Honey, the influential speakeasy-style bar founded by Sasha Petraske on New York's Lower East Side. Milk & Honey had established itself as the epicentre of the modern cocktail renaissance, emphasising craft techniques, quality ingredients, and classical recipes executed with precision. Ross wanted to create something that honoured scotch's complexity while making it accessible to a broader audience.
Drawing inspiration from the Gold Rush (bourbon, honey, lemon) and the whisky sour template, Ross crafted a new formula: blended scotch as the approachable base, honey-ginger syrup for warming sweetness and spice, fresh lemon juice for brightness, and — his key innovation — a float of intensely smoky Islay single malt that would deliver a dramatic aromatic experience without overwhelming the palate.
The name "Penicillin" was brilliantly apt: the combination of honey, ginger, and lemon evoked a medicinal quality, while the smoky scotch added sophisticated depth that suggested something genuinely restorative. The cocktail became an instant hit at Milk & Honey and spread to bars worldwide within years. By 2010, it was appearing on menus from London to Tokyo; by 2015, it had become a benchmark of contemporary mixology. Today the Penicillin is considered one of the most important cocktail innovations since Prohibition, regularly cited alongside classics like the Negroni and Old Fashioned as a drink that changed how the world thinks about whisky in cocktails.
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Bartender’s Insight
Pro Tips
Verwenden Sie einen blended Scotch Whisky als Basis, um zugänglichen Geschmack ohne schwere Torf zu bieten, die die Ingwer-Honig-Kombination überfordern kann
From James
investieren Sie in qualitativ hochwertiges Ginger Beer oder stellen Sie Ihren eigenen Ingwer-Sirup her, um Würzgeschmack und ordnungsgemäße Geschmacksbalance zu gewährleisten
der Islay Whisky Float ist unverzichtbar—ein kleiner Guss stark getorfter Whisky bietet aromatische Komplexität, ohne das ausgewogene Getränk zu überfordern
servieren Sie heiß oder bei Raumtemperatur in einem Rocks-Glas mit großem Eis, Zitronenschale für Helligkeit ausdrückend.
At the Table
Perfect Pairings
Beyond the Classic
Variations
Scharfes Penicillin
Fügt Jalapeño-Scheiben hinzu und erhöht die Ingwerintensität für eine wärmere, assertivere Variation, die für kaltes Wetter geeignet ist
Modernes Penicillin
integriert Zitronensaft und einfachen Sirup, um eine sauer strukturierte Struktur mit behaltener Ingwer-Honig-Wärme zu schaffen
Rauchiges Penicillin
verwendet stark getorften Islay Scotch Whisky als Basis anstelle von blended Whisky für rauchige, medizinische Intensität.
Questions
Frequently Asked
- The Penicillin has a flavor profile that is rauchig, süß, zitronig, würzig. It is crafted to balance these characteristics into a harmonious, satisfying drink that appeals to a wide range of palates.
- The Penicillin is ideal for Sommerpartys, Geburtstagsfeiern, Cocktailabende. Its flavor profile and presentation make it a versatile choice that works equally well as a social cocktail or a relaxed evening drink.
- Yes, there are several ways to adapt a Penicillin. If you cannot source Blended Scotch, look for a similar alternative that matches its flavor profile. Keep in mind that substitutions may alter the balance of the cocktail, so start with a smaller quantity and adjust to taste. The variations section above lists popular alternatives bartenders use.
- Some of the most popular Penicillin variations include Scharfes Penicillin, Modernes Penicillin, Rauchiges Penicillin. Each variation puts a unique twist on the original recipe while retaining the essential character of the classic cocktail.
- The Penicillin is traditionally served in a Old-fashioned glass. Using the right glassware is important because it affects the aroma, temperature retention, and overall drinking experience. If you do not have a Old-fashioned glass on hand, a similar shaped glass will work.
- Yes, a mocktail version of the Penicillin is possible. Replace the base spirit with a non-alcoholic spirit alternative (there are many quality options available) and keep all other components the same. The result will capture much of the original's flavor profile while being suitable for guests who prefer alcohol-free options.
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