Let's just say it if you live in India, there are DIY home remedies for everything. Drinking adrak (ginger) tea will help you when you feel unwell. Taking honey with warm water to treat your throat pain.  

And two shots of whiskey will help you recover from your challenging day.  

What happens when you mix together ginger and honey and whiskey to create one beverage?  

The Penicillin cocktail serves as my introduction to friends and family.  

This cocktail stands as the top whisky-based drink that has been created during the last two decades.  

The drink combines ginger spice with honey sweetness and lemon juice sourness while it emits a campfire aroma.  

The Whisky Sour functions as a social bar companion while Penicillin represents the enigmatic relative who rides a Royal Enfield motorcycle.  

I drink whisky neat because I am an expert Indian whisky drinker but this cocktail is my first experience using a cocktail shaker.  

This post explains to you how to create a Penicillin cocktail without a cocktail shaker at home, while it shows which whisky brands to buy in India and which spicy syrup method you can use to create your own Penicillin cocktail.

What Is the Penicillin Cocktail?

The Penicillin is a modern classic whisky cocktail created in the mid-2000s by bartender Sam Ross in New York.

It combines:

• Blended Scotch whisky
  
  
• Fresh lemon juice
  
  
• Honey-ginger syrup
  
  
• A float of smoky Islay Scotch

The result? A perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and smoky.

It’s often described as a whisky sour with a smoky twist, but it’s far more layered than that.

Why Is It Called a Penicillin Cocktail?

The name comes from the cocktail’s comforting ingredients:

• Ginger (warming and soothing)
  
  
• Honey (traditionally used for sore throats)
  
  
• Lemon (vitamin C freshness)
  
  
• Whisky (the adult medicine)
  

It feels like a cold remedy but much more enjoyable.

No actual medicine involved,  just clever naming.

What Does a Penicillin Cocktail Taste Like?

Here’s the honest flavor breakdown:

First Sip

Bright citrus and honey sweetness hit first.

Mid-Palate

Spicy ginger warmth starts building.

Finish

A wave of smoky Scotch lingers gently at the back.

It tastes like:

• Warm honey lemon tea
  
  
• With a spicy kick
  
  
• And a campfire smoke finish

It’s bold yet balanced. Comforting yet complex.

If you enjoy smoky whisky but find it too intense on its own, the Penicillin makes it more approachable.

Penicillin Cocktail Ingredients

Here’s the classic ingredient list:

• 60ml blended Scotch whisky
  
  
• 22ml fresh lemon juice
  
  
• 22ml honey-ginger syrup
  
  
• 10–15ml smoky Islay Scotch (float)
  
  
• Ice

Simple ingredients but the magic is in balance.

Easy Penicillin Cocktail Recipe at Home (2026 Version)

Step-by-Step Method (With Shaker)

1. Add blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup into a shaker.
   
   
2. Fill with ice.
   
   
3. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds.
   
   
4. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
   
   
5. Gently float smoky Islay Scotch on top.
   
   
6. Garnish with candied ginger or lemon peel.

That’s it.

How to Make Penicillin Cocktail Without Shaker

No shaker? No problem.

Use a jar with a tight lid or even a steel water bottle.

Steps:

• Add ingredients into jar
  
  
• Add ice
  
  
• Close lid tightly
  
  
• Shake well
  
  
• Strain using tea strainer

Or, if you don’t want to shake:

• Stir vigorously with plenty of ice for 20–30 seconds
  
  
• It won’t be as frothy, but still delicious

How to Make Honey-Ginger Syrup 

This is what makes the cocktail special.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup honey
  
  
• ½ cup hot water
  
  
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger

Steps:

1. Mix honey and hot water until dissolved.
   
   
2. Add ginger.
   
   
3. Let sit for 20–30 minutes.
   
   
4. Strain and refrigerate.

It lasts about 1 week in the fridge.

Best Scotch for Penicillin Cocktail

You need two types of whisky:

1. Blended Scotch

You don’t need expensive single malt. Use something smooth and balanced.

Examples:

• Johnnie Walker (Red or Black)
  
  
• Ballantine's
  
  
• Teacher's

Choose something clean and not overly peaty.

2. Smoky Whisky for Float

For that signature smoky layer, use Islay Scotch.

Best smoky whisky options available in India:

• Laphroaig
  
  
• Ardbeg
  
  
• Lagavulin

You only need 10–15ml, so even a small bottle lasts long.

Alcohol Percentage of a Penicillin Cocktail

Approximate strength:

• 60ml Scotch (40%)
  
  
• 15ml Islay (43–48%)

Final cocktail ABV: around 18–22% depending on dilution.

It’s not a light drink. It’s spirit-forward but balanced.

When to Serve a Penicillin Cocktail?

Perfect for:

• Winter evenings
  
  
• Dinner parties
  
  
• After-meal drink
  
  
• Date nights
  
  
• Whisky tasting sessions

Not ideal for:

• Beach parties
  
  
• Hot afternoon drinking

It’s a slow-sipping cocktail.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using bottled lemon juice (always use fresh)
   
   
2. Skipping ginger (it’s essential)
   
   
3. Using too much smoky float (overpowers drink)
   
   
4. Over-shaking and diluting too much

Balance is everything.

How It Compares to Whisky Sour

People often ask if it’s just a smoky whisky sour.

Not quite.

Whisky Sour:

• Sweet + sour
  
  
• Egg white sometimes
  
  
• No smoke

Penicillin:

• Sweet + sour
  
  
• Spicy ginger
  
  
• Smoky finish

Penicillin has more personality.

Food Pairing with Penicillin Cocktail

Best pairings:

• Smoked chicken
  
  
• Grilled prawns
  
  
• Spicy paneer tikka
  
  
• Roasted nuts
  
  
• Dark chocolate

Avoid creamy desserts, smoke clashes.

Why This Cocktail Is Trending Again in 2026

Modern drinkers prefer:

• Balanced cocktails
  
  
• Bold flavors
  
  
• Instagram-worthy presentation

The smoky float makes it visually impressive.

It’s not overly sweet like many party cocktails.

It appeals to mature palates.