Cocktails

Penicillin

Penicillin is an alcoholic cocktail. It leans honey, sweet and oak. Shaken and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 24.8% ABV and roughly 208 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic24.8% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

208 kcalCalories

24.8%ABV

9.7gSugar

10.7gCarbs

1.51Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateblended drink

Why: 5 ingredients, blended drink, requires shaker, blender

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2 ozBlended ScotchOther
3/4 ozLemon JuiceJuice
2 tspHoney syrupSweetener
2 tspGinger SyrupSweetener
1/4 ozIslay single malt ScotchOther

How to Make It

Shake blended Scotch, lemon juice, honey syrup and ginger syrup with ice.Shaken
Strain over large ice in chilled Rocks glass.Strain
Float smoky Scotch on top (be sure to use a smoky Scotch such as an Islay single malt).Top
Garnish with candied ginger.Garnish

How to Serve

Glass: Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Blended

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Honey Sweet Oak

Supporting notes

SmokeCitrus Aromatic Tart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

High ABV
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

BBQ / CookoutSuggested from its smoke and oak notes, pairing with bbq and grilled meat.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

BBQ Steak Grilled Meat

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-SugarVegan

Not enough information

Gluten-FreeVegetarian

Find vegan-compatible cocktails

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Lemon Juice3/4 oz

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes: Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Penicillin?: The Penicillin is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 24.8%. A standard serving contains approximately 208 calories.
What does a Penicillin taste like?: Penicillin has a flavour profile featuring Honey, Sweet, Oak, Smoke. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Penicillin?: Penicillin pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Penicillin?: The Penicillin has an ABV of approximately 24.8%. That's approximately 1.51 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 208 kcal, 9.7g sugar, 10.7g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Penicillin typically served?: Penicillin is often suggested for BBQ / Cookout, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Penicillin?: If you enjoy Penicillin, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Penicillin at home?: Yes. The Penicillin uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Penicillin with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.