# Penicillin

> Penicillin, the IBA official recipe: Scotch whisky, Islay single malt, lemon juice, honey and fresh ginger. Shaken and served on the rocks.

Blended Scotch, honey, ginger and lemon with a smoky Islay float. Sam Ross, New York, 2005.

- IBA category: [IBA: New Era Drinks](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/new-era/index.md)
- Main spirit: [Whiskey cocktails](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/whiskey-cocktails/index.md)
- Method: Shaken (shaken hard with ice)
- Glass: Old fashioned glass
- Served: On the rocks
- Strength: about 15.8% ABV once diluted by ice, about 1.5 standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each)
- Volume: 113 ml (3¾ oz) before ice, about 172 ml in the glass
- Taste: Sour, Spicy, Smoky

## Ingredients

Amounts are for one drink. Ounces use 30 ml to the ounce.

- 60 ml (2 oz) [Scotch whisky](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/scotch/index.md)
- 7.5 ml (¼ oz) [Islay single malt](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/islay-scotch/) (IBA specifies Lagavulin 16)
- 22.5 ml (¾ oz) [Lemon juice](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/lemon/index.md)
- 22.5 ml (¾ oz) [Honey syrup](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/honey/index.md)
- 2–3 [Quarter-size slices of fresh ginger](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/ginger/index.md)

## Method

1. Muddle fresh ginger in a shaker and add the remaining ingredients except for the Islay single malt whisky.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake.
3. Fine strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass with ice.
4. Float the single malt whisky on top.

## Garnish

Candied ginger slices.

## If you like the Penicillin

- [Bee’s Knees](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/bees-knees/index.md): Gin, honey, lemon juice and orange juice
- [Ve.N.To](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/ve-n-to/index.md): Grappa, lemon juice, honey and chamomile cordial

## Source

- Recipe as specified by the International Bartenders Association: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/penicillin/
- IBA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crswfLbasVE
- Strength is an estimate that allows for dilution from ice; brands vary.

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- Canonical page: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/penicillin/
- Language: en
- Recipe data: International Bartenders Association specifications on iba-world.com, checked 22 October 2026
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