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Similar drinks

Cocktails Like a Penicillin

If you like penicillin, what you probably like is a specific combination of flavor, structure, and strength. These alternatives share enough of that profile to work as substitutes — while being distinct enough to be interesting in their own right.

25Recipes reviewed
25Matching this guide
6.6gMedian sugar
225 kcalMedian calories
20.4%Median ABV

Most similar drinks

#DrinkWhy it ranksBest for
1HebridesShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
2Derby FizzShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
3Morning Glory FizzShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
4Highland CoolerShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
5The Joe LewisShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
6Scotch Whisky HighballShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
7Bobby Burns CocktailShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
8Smoked MargaritaShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
9Heather's KissShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
10Canal Street DaisyShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
11Scotch SourShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
12Loch LomondShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
13Heavenly DramShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
14Hoot Mon CocktailShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
15The DebonairShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
16Rusty NailShares 8 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
17Bloody ScotsmanShares 7 flavors: sweet, citrus, smoky
18Dry Rob RoyShares 7 flavors: oak, honey, malt
19Hole-In-OneShares 7 flavors: oak, honey, malt
20ThrillerShares 7 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
21Hole-in-One CocktailShares 7 flavors: oak, honey, malt
22Blood and SandShares 7 flavors: sweet, oak, honey
23Cameron's Kick CocktailShares 7 flavors: oak, honey, malt
24GilchristShares 7 flavors: oak, honey, malt
25Francis The MuleShares 6 flavors: sweet, oak, lemon

Best picks by use case

Lowest sugar

Dry Rob Roy

0.3g estimated sugar

~194 kcal · 0.3g sugar

Lowest calories

Hole-in-One Cocktail

~89 kcal estimated

~89 kcal · 1.4g sugar

Simplest recipe

Thriller

3 ingredients

~149 kcal · 2.9g sugar

Methodology

Is this guide right for you?

Good fit if:

  • You want a data-backed shortlist of drink options
  • You want ranked results rather than a generic list
  • You want to compare options across a specific axis

Poor fit if:

  • You need medical or dietary advice
  • You need exact bar-specific values — these are data estimates
  • You need a complete guide to this drink category

Frequently asked questions

What is a penicillin?
Penicillin is a cocktail with a specific flavor profile and ingredient structure. If you already like penicillin, the drinks on this page share key characteristics — spirit base, flavor direction, or occasion fit.
What does a penicillin taste like?
Penicillin is defined by its signature flavor profile. The alternatives on this page were selected because they share similar flavor tags and drink characteristics from WhatDrink data.
Why might someone want an alternative to penicillin?
Common reasons include ingredient availability, preference for a different ABV level, wanting a different flavor intensity, or simply exploring new drinks in the same style.
How similar are these drinks to penicillin?
Similarity is scored on shared flavor tags, glass type, and occasion fit in WhatDrink data. Drinks at the top of the list share the most overlap with penicillin. Individual taste will affect how similar they feel in practice.
How many alternatives to penicillin are on this page?
This page shows 25 alternatives ranked by similarity score. All pass the same quality filters as individual cocktail pages.
When should I drink something like penicillin?
If you enjoy penicillin, the alternatives here suit similar occasions and moods. Look at the occasion tags on each drink card to find the best fit for your context.
Can I make these at home?
Most cocktails similar to penicillin use accessible bar ingredients. Click through to any individual recipe page for a full ingredient list and step-by-step preparation guide.