Penicillin

The Penicillin is modern cocktail culture's greatest achievement and proof that contemporary classics can rival historical cocktails. Created in 2005 by Sam Ross at New York's Milk & Honey, this Scotch whisky cocktail combines blended Scotch, fresh lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and a float of peaty Islay Scotch to create a complex, smoky-spicy masterpiece. Served over ice in a rocks glass with candied ginger garnish, the Penicillin represents 21st-century cocktail innovation, the craft cocktail renaissance, and whisky sophistication. The drink's name references its cold-remedy ingredients (honey, ginger, lemon) while creating something far more sophisticated than medicine. The Penicillin embodies modern cocktail creativity, the power of layered flavors, and the revival of Scotch in cocktails. The combination of honey sweetness, ginger heat, lemon brightness, and smoky Islay whisky creates perfect balance and complexity. The drink became an instant modern classic, appearing on cocktail menus worldwide within years of its creation. Quality matters: good blended Scotch (Compass Box, Famous Grouse), peaty Islay (Laphroaig, Ardbeg), fresh ingredients, and homemade honey-ginger syrup elevate the drink. The Penicillin represents the democratization of cocktail creativity—proving great drinks can come from contemporary bartenders, not just historical recipes. Whether served at a New York cocktail bar or a London speakeasy, the Penicillin delivers modern whisky sophistication.