Penicillin Cocktail - smoky, spicy, sweet, sour

[@AndersErickson]

Timestamps are below. Enjoy the weekend! 🥃 👇 Intro: 0:00 The Booze: 1:21 The Recipe: 3:06 Sips: 6:30

[@martintotland]

I used to work security at several bars and looked a lot of inebriated people in the eye. Were you buzzed when making this video? lol

[@TresCherie]

Laproaig tastes like Chloraseptic.

[@soohyun5804]

I haven't taste it but I'd like to recommend this cocktail for Mr. and Ms.Huckleberry.

[@rv325]

I'm a bee keeper in Switzerland, and now, thanks to you, I know how to mix two of my passions: honey and whisky! I must say that ginger, whisky and summer honey is a combination that works really well

[@Dreadded]

I’m allergic to penicillin but not this one. Yay! 😉

[@katherinefernandez8358]

You and me both! 😂

[@Mikael_14]

Haha same

[@johnsnow7873]

You stole my comment. Not lying. Respect.

[@wildevine77]

Same 😂

[@The_Jovian]

Yo same

[@alexclark4792]

For those that don't already have multiple scotches and want to try this drink, Islay Mist is a cost effective blended scotch that is Laphroaig heavy, and could potentially make a decent variation.

[@TravellerRDS]

Another one that has a reasonable price is Finlaggan (which is said to be based on independently-bottled Lagavulin). I keep a bottle just to add up to 10 ml, as seasoning in drinks such as this one. Besides those horrible phenols that smell like wood-soaked railway traverses, it has something that reminds me of white pepper. So just adding it as a spice is alright.

[@alexclark4792]

@@TravellerRDS If you like scotch as much as I do, and also like ice cream, I like to pour a splash of a nice Islay on my ice cream, a goog salted caramel is the best. Sweet, smokey, savory, creamy. Ticks all the boxes.

[@TravellerRDS]

I am not a Scotch fan. First and foremost I enjoy rye whiskey. On ice cream I would usually pour cognac or rum. I am keeping a bottle of Islay peated Scotch for the sole purpose of adding spice to certain cocktails, in minute quantities. I have yet to try unpeated Islay scotch, for that I'll get a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12yo soon.

[@offcoloratura]

ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES! It actually DOES stave off or soothe a cold; all ingredients are traditionally used for sore throats. The first time I had one I was coming down with a cold and I swear it made it better. This opera singer highly recommends. Never heard of mixing in the peaty scotch though; I like it!

[@AndersErickson]

Haha. Love the all caps! You REALLY love this drink! 😆

[@keara.ls3]

As someone who makes a honey ginger lemon tea when I’m sick, I can totally see this drink being turned into a hot toddy… and I may have to try it out next time I’m feeling under the weather… I mean whiskey in itself is its own kind of cough syrup, so I think it could really work! 😮🤤

[@willellis6148]

I didn't have all the exact ingredients so I did 2 oz of Rittenhouse Rye 1 oz Jack Daniels Tennessee honey 3/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice 1/2 oz of honey syrup Four slices of ginger Shaking over ice and double strained It was incredible! As always your videos our educational funny and give inspiration. 🙂👍

[@PeopleWhoChangedtheWorld]

I was searching for actual videos on Penicillin and stumbled across this video. Despite it not being what I was looking for, I really enjoyed it! Might have to try making this cocktail for myself.

[@rebeccaaugustine8628]

Tried it! I like it! My teetotaling daughter likes the honey syrup infused with the ginger. She maintains that it helped her through her last sore throat/headache/fever (aka Covid-19 scare--where although we were fully vaccinated, we all got tested for a breakthrough scare! We were negative, which was a relief!)! She also tells me that she doesn't mind my new hobby of mixology because "bartenders are seldom alcoholics!"

[@smitty3881]

Khun Erickson, in my mid-teens I would sneak a bit of my mothers Cuttysark, my first taste of any type of whiskey. For about 55 years now I’ve enjoyed only scotch, on the rocks or neat (although I did graduate to single malt about 35 years ago) and I want to thank you for this video. A delicious cocktail and a new way to enjoy my favorite adult beverage. Hell who knows, I may even try a different whiskey someday.

[@8020drummer]

Tried this tonight and it will take your face off at ten paces. My wife approves.

[@joeschmidt2220]

Having this recipe right now, perfect for a cold Chicago night. Congrats on 200k Anders & Az!

[@erichansen2571]

I've previously made the Penicillin with a honey/ginger syrup. I tried it with the raw ginger and it's COMPLETELY different! The ginger is much more forward and "spicy." I love it! Thanks for changing my perspective on this great drink, Anders...

[@krsw899]

If you like a penicillin I highly recommend a drink from 'Big in Japan' called The Traveler. Feel free to play around with the ratios but typically: - 3 oz cold black tea (strong) - 2 oz gin - .5 oz lemon juice - .25-.5 simple syrup - float .25 oz smokey scotch (laphroaig/ardbeg 10/lagavulin 10) - 1 maraschino cherry at the bottom Shake with ice and pour into a nick and nora. You can definitely play with either ginger tea bag in with the black. or add some grated ginger.

[@sachlg3688]

I did the other way around and really like my second try (with honey/syrup) much better … raw ginger was wayyy too gingery for me

[@EnginerdBrian]

I love the spicy heat tingle from the fresh ginger!

[@just_another_Japan_Life_Vlog]

I've been drinking a variation of this for years... my gran would shove whiskey, honey, lemon and ginger at us whenever we were sick... but loving the addition of Islay! The smokiness will lift this so much! Loved this video it was almost therapeutic to watch!!

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks! Sounds like you had a smart gran on your side growing up. Try it with the Islay and see what you think! Cheers! 🥃

[@AM-hf9kk]

My grandparents kept it simple - just poured whiskey into a spoonful of sugar. Look at that, your cough or sniffles or sore throat are gone! Your six year old is now gasping for air LOL

[@just_another_Japan_Life_Vlog]

@@AM-hf9kk But your sore throat was gone 😂

[@jpcampbell]

This is one of my favorites. It hits every button on a cold night when you have a little cold. Or if you feel great in any season.

[@TheTribalBarGuy]

This is truly a great drink and for sure a modern classic. Great video. Love your energy man. Cheers!

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you so much! Cheers to you!

[@rscow]

Well, I'm a phyician and I prescribe this for ME. And if someone else needs one, I will oblige. Very nice cocktail. Thank you, Anders.

[@dark-grey1241]

Only took me 3 years to commit to honey syrup and this is my first use of said syrup. Wow! Just wow. I can see why this was seen as therapeutic. Thanks Anders.

[@colinfell3945]

Have had a penicillin at a Tiki bar in Glasgow but now I can make my own. The heat of the ginger and the flavour of the Laphroaig is something else. Thanks

[@kylecampion9668]

Love the channel man just started watching recently and have learned a lot! I did a riff on this at home because I had ZERO of these ingredients ha ha. Tried to get the honey/spice/scotch all in one by going drambuie as a base and got the smokiness from mezcal rather than an Islay scotch. Turned out to be pretty great! 2oz Drambuie 0.5oz Mezcal 0.5oz fresh lemon juice Shaken over ice and strained. Served up. Cheers!

[@cas9065]

This has become my absolute favourite cocktail. We used it as cooking cocktail as aperitif for our Malbec-accompanied Wagyu anniversary steak. It is so gorgeous! We float the islay, but we are also Islay people.

[@AndersErickson]

Sounds amazing! So glad you are enjoying it 🥃 💊

[@bricelangston8634]

Great recipe. For groups, I premix the honey and the ginger together to batch a make shift syrup, about 3 to 6 servings depending on the party. Great channel with great techniques and cocktail recipes. Might I recommend food pairings in the future? And I must add with all respect, I never been so sure this bartender has left countless partrons completely respectively hammered.

[@ChemistryTalkwithDan]

Last night I had the idea to use reposado tequila and mezcal in place of the two scotches. So good! After some quick research I found others who had similar ideas and all with different names. Tequila Penicillin, Penicillin #2, Penicillin Margarita, and my favorite, Amoxicillin. Regardless of what you call it, it's a variation I highly recommend!

[@vinceliardi1662]

Outstanding video. No-nonsense, superb video quality, accessible. So glad I found your channel!

[@davirasm]

My all time favorite cocktail and this was a great mix. Thanks!

[@DeepDand]

"Ginger can be tough, but you have to be tougher!" Hahahahaha!

[@wagen_blast]

I’ve made this recipe twice now and I’m loving it! Quickly becoming one of my favorite cocktails

[@M4RCi92]

Enjoyed the video, you're a likable guy, and you know how to make an attractive cocktail. I wanna drink it now. I've made the penicillin a couple of times myself, and it's easily one of my favorite cocktails. The Islay scotch you pick really defines your drink. The one that worked the best for me was the Ardbeg 10, it tied this drink together so well. One tip: if you're mixing it into the cocktail, I think you can just simply use Johnnie Walker Black / Double Black. They're a bit smokier than normal blends, and Islay whiskies lose much of their peatiness when chilled, so it evens out. It's also cheaper that way. Cheers!

[@marctestarossa]

I love how different people are and for that we need great bartenders. For me it is super important that a drink evolves, I find it kind of boring when the last sip tastes like the first sip. I want to explore a cocktail while drinking and notice the development and try to taste different nuances at different stages due to floating, dilution, drops of bitters on top, fizz on the top, aromatizing the glass or the ice or whatever.

[@Barprints]

Spoken like a man that truly know how to imbibe! Well said!

[@als.2983]

So many nuggets of bartending wisdom in your videos. I appreciate how you share the nuanced insights you gained as you have mastered your craft. Whether you do this consciously or not: articulating the how and why of incorporating ginger (muddle, honey ginger syrup, or honey syrup & ginger syrup), floating vs shake in, etc. All these insights are really helpful for the home booze enthusiasts just trying to make a tasty drink.

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you so much! Happy you're enjoying the videos, and love that you find value in the content. Cheers to you!

[@Barprints]

Couldn't have said it better. It's the nuances that separate an ok cocktail, from an amazing cocktail!

[@martincpower]

This is my favorite cocktail and I make it all the time. Except I use a ginger syrup I made instead of bothering with muddling. I always float the Isla because I think it keeps with the theme of it being medicine. Medicine is horrible upfront but is good for you. So a float of Isla will make the drink an assault on the pallet then mellow out.

[@mattwhitney10]

I make this regularly but substitute scotch for gin and instead of a floater I'll spray a mist of Islay scotch on top. The gin makes it extra refreshing and great summer drink. I also add 15ml of earl grey tea. I'd recommend The Botanist gin first then Hendricks as a substitute. Lastly I also juiced the fresh ginger but I'll have to try muddling it next time.

[@captainentropy2725]

Ooohhh, the bergamot must be awesome! Gotta try that. When the Bergamot fruits appear again this summer I'm gonna have to try using them instead of the Earl Grey tea. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@KeepCalmAndTravelOn]

This is quickly becoming my favourite KZbin channel.

[@troelsgudiksen9900]

From all the cures that doesn’t work … this is my favorite!!!

[@Izrun]

Love this drink and the recipe. Just a tip, if any of you all are new like me and want to try the drink without spending $60 on a bottle for 1/4 oz of Laphroaig 10, I substituted 1/4 oz Vida Mezcal which I already had and it worked great. Probably not the same, but it gave it the smokiness it required and was phenomenal. I'm going to bus Laphroaig now since I like this drink so much, but don't let this expensive booze stop you from trying it!

[@davidvarley1812]

I love blended scotch and ginger ale. I'll make this at home. When I'm in a bar next I'll get the bar to add lemon juice and sugur syrup to my original drink.

[@jacksongilder]

Hey Anders, I finally scored some single malt Ardbeg for an affordable price and decided to give this cocktail a try. It's fabulous! I have an idea for the ginger component you might consider. I freeze my fresh ginger for cooking because it's easier to peel and I grate it. This turns out to be perfect for this cocktail I think. It grates very fine and I just added it to the honey syrup. It seemed to dissolve in it. It gave the cocktail a great ginger hit.

[@luukgx]

Love your channel! For my penicillin I either juice the ginger in a masticating juicer and blend it 1/3 with the honey, or I blend a fourth of the volume of honey worth of ginger with honey and strain.

[@gungfuriceboy]

your the Best Anders! Enjoyed the Penicillin Recipe! Love 'Scotch' cocktails! Cheers your Canadian Bartender!

[@MrSuperiorTech]

I've heard of this rule for garnishments where you should always use an odd number of items. 1 or 3 pieces of candied ginger here instead. 1 or 3 olives for your martini. Cheers

[@keithblackburn7516]

Looks delicious! I am exploring more of Scotch based cocktails and this fills the bill. Enjoying your videos! Keep ’em coming

[@ramon9386]

Shiver me timbers! This video is one year old tomorrow and I will definitely celebrate by having a couple, maybe three. My favorite drink so far. Cheers!

[@bradleybetts4004]

Tried this tonight and it’s delish. I happen to be a scotch drinker so I had Laphroaig on hand, and some Famous Grouse blended scotch. Didn’t have the honey ginger syrup, but I muddled some fresh ginger in the shaker and added honey instead. Came out very nicely 👌🏻

[@mjudec]

That sounds lovely, I'll need to try it. It's like a fancy hot toddy but cold and less diluted. For summer colds...

[@olive6679]

I love laphroaig and ginger. I can't wait to try.

[@ChadHuffman]

"If you have enough of these and you're sick . . . . then you may not care that you're sick." - Anders Erickson #BrilliantBartenderWisdom Going to try this one tonight! Thanks!

[@tannergrinzel1835]

This cocktail will help soothe a common cold

[@themreza77]

I’ve actually never made this cocktail and always wanted to, thanks for the video motivation my brother. Keep the great work coming!

[@Runge_was_here]

This has become my go-to cocktail in I'm not craving something specific. It always makes me smile 😁

[@chollettgarrett]

I had a penicillin in Canada and I’ve been chasing that drink for YEARS. I’m 23. First and last time I had it was at 19 in Toronto. Would literally fly back from Texas for that drink.

[@Cremantus]

Great, great, great... Laphroaig and ginger... thumbs up!

[@DirtyBirdConway]

Greatest cocktail ever!!!

[@BisZwo]

I knew the penicillin but not with those precise whiskeys. Laphroaig 10...check Monkey shoulder... Check Ginger... Check Honey... Check Hey... Getting excited Lemon... Aaaah 😕😕😕 I tried it anyway but with lime. It's awesome! Thanks for the idea of putting a bit of peat into that, it's really subtle!! Awesome drink! Awesome job thanks! (I'll try with lemon another day🍋)

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Thank you doctor. I feel better already. And I haven't even made it yet. Time to go to MY bar. Cheers.

[@EnginerdBrian]

This is a great drink. I made one tonight with Famous Grouse smoky black and Ardbeg 10. It might be my favorite iteration I’ve had so far. Extra smoke at a very reasonable price from the grouse and Ardbeg is always a joy if you enjoy peat.

[@rometimed1382]

I made mine with the exact same scotches, only used a home-made ginger syrup instead of muddling the ginger in. Great tasting.

[@rthayes00]

Just made 2, and use 0.5 oz Smokehead....I love peat...soooooo good

[@drax14QC]

Some bartender friend of mine gave me a small ginger syrup bottle, I already had a honey syrup so I made my first Penecillin at home! I didn’t have an opened bottle of Islay scotch so I used Ledaig 10 for the peated float and it really gave a strong aromatic to the cocktail. Great stuff!

[@bluefish192]

I make mine with only the peated scotch. It's lovely.

[@captainentropy2725]

Great drink. I've tried it with fresh ginger and frozen grated ginger cubes. Now, while those two were really good (fresh ginger was better, of course), I also have a bottle of Creme de Gingembre from G.E. Massenez. So I subbed the fresh ginger with 0.5 oz of the ginger liqueur. Wow, so much better, IMO. Plus, no need to double strain :P Nevertheless, thanks for featuring this, I love trying new cocktails.

[@suionyou]

Your videos are great. Great style. Great edits. Great content!

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Sui! Happy you're enjoying the videos!

[@gspona]

Absolutely love this concoction! I have made this the way shown in this video but a good variation to try is with Domaine de Canton, an amazing ginger liqueur

[@n3xt0n3xt]

How much of the DdC do you use?

[@SabrielBluestone]

This is one of my fave cocktails! I had one once at the suggestion of a bartender and loved it, but didn’t know how to make it. Also, I too would have insisted on having the candied finger with it.

[@seanzzila8]

I think I might want an Anders & Oz (sp?) post-engagement revisit. I think this is the earliest video I've come across on your channel and you now have such an air of confidence in your screen presence and abilities. It was great to see this flashback and would also love to see what you would produce now with a possible variable. Happy engagement! 🥳💍

[@MrLuisCalquin]

I made mine with homemade Ginger beer...changes a little because of the bubbles, I love it. Not crazy about the name really, brings some bad memories, jaja

[@speedroidterrortop3171]

I usually try to order these at bars/restaurants to see if they can make it and they typically sub the ginger syrup with ginger beer. I think it tastes awesome that way

[@MetaltodeathSWE]

Need to try this one. love everthing in it and the video

[@kevinfager.]

One of my favs for sure. I’ve always made it with ginger syrup instead of muddling but…def not as easy as honey syrup so muddling might be a good alternative.

[@lokmtb8503]

Didn't have lemons so I subbed mezcal and lime juice for scotch/lemon. The Penicilina cocktail is delicious.

[@RobsHomeBar]

Very nice, one of my favorites for sure... mainly because I LOOOOOVE SMOKE! LOL...I actually make mine with Islay Mist which is an inexpensive blended scotch which is remarkably peated and smoky. Then for good measure, I still float some Laphroaig or Ardbeg! hehe. Also, this past summer, I made some smoked lemon wheels (basically placed some lemon wheels on the smoker for a few hours while I was smoking a brisket)... they really hold on to that smoke flavor! Makes a great garnish!

[@AndersErickson]

What a great garnish idea! I bet that would work well with this drink. You really do like your smoke! Islay Mist PLUS a Laphroaig or Ardbeg float? You sure are no novice. Cheers, Rob! 🥃

[@RobsHomeBar]

@@AndersErickson Love my smoke! My brother in law has a $300 bottle of Octomore, apparently, the most heavily peated islay whisky available... needless to say, when I visit, I bring my own Glencairn! hahaha

[@AndersErickson]

@@RobsHomeBar the Octomore is insane! Sooo good though. I want to hang out with you two!

[@alexanderblack6280]

One of my best cocktails 🍸 It tastes much better when ice-cold shakes with egg white like Boston whiskey sour

[@markmcvicar2654]

Just made this for friends. They didn't really like the peatiness of the Laphroaig. The ginger we get here is really good but too intense for this recipe. So I used, two slices of ginger, and swapped in Glenfiddich 25yr. Added a dash of orange bitters as well. That combo was a real hit!! Happy Year of the Rabbit Anders and Az...

[@esthera3923]

This has fast become my favorite cocktail

[@Fiameknuff]

Really nice! I make one every time I start to feel something. It always works and therefore the name is just perfect. It works as penicillin. Greetings from Sweden a keep up the good work! 🙏

[@ahpeery]

This is my favorite so far, love these ingredients!

[@rosskline]

Just made this exactly as prescribed... and it was awesome! Thanks! It might be my new favorite cocktail, because I love ginger 😃

[@nurseonthego4u]

3 weeks ago I found your channel and this video. I now have a new delicious hobby, home bar tending. 😂

[@mr.greenbrier7137]

My dr prescribed me to take one every 15 minutes with food. Very interesting drink. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of a Rusty Nail (which I enjoy) but so much different. Love the honey syrup mixture idea. I know this will be added to my list.

[@pawekrukow769]

Today I'm going to make a Penicillin, but with Bulleit bourbon and Caol Ila 12 as the Islay Whisky. And, of course, the best Polish honey. Thanx for the recipe ;-)

[@vicopujia]

Only on the intro this thing has big chances to become one of my favourites

[@JDNYUS0506]

OK, I only recently discovered you (which is not to say you did not exist before then - it seems clear to me that you did!). So, I'm catching up. I love this drink. I've had it many times, mostly at the bar that Sam Ross invented it at. And, I've had many variations around the world (the WORST was a upscale bar in Oaxaca Mexico, called [I won't say it] where they added a beer head float (it was disgusting - called the Antibiotico). Anyway, I've always made it by getting out a food processor and juicing the ginger etc... .a.big production. Why I never thought of doing it the way you do... I'll never know. But, there's no going back. This was (and you truly are) amazing. You have great teeth too (and I'm not a dentist).

[@karinmartin8141]

Sounds delicious!

[@mwoodmancsub]

Just made this with an Ardbeg (Uigeadail) in place of the Laphroaig . . . Ended up pretty, pretty good !

[@cmcfarland7990]

Just made this one tonight following your recipe and it is great 👍

[@leonardovieiradesouza8115]

Hello sir! I loved the recipe! Thank you for your videos!

[@Barprints]

Love this one! One of my favorite scotch cocktails! Cheers on another great video!

[@ryguy5929]

So glad I found your Channel man. Your cocktail skills are over the top. Learning a ton. Cheers Anders 🥂

[@andrewstevenson1955]

I adore Laphroaig 10 year old and I love ❤️ Monkey 🙊 Shoulder. I love Scotch and Laphroaig 10 year old is my Islay go too. Sounds like a delicious cocktail 🍹 Thank you 🙏 Anders!!!❤️ Hello Az❤️

[@Johnharwell1]

Finally made one of these tonight. Not sure if it’s my drink, but I think I might like Islays even with this being my first use of one. Granted I liked Campari right off the bat too.

[@adamkrauss303]

I use an excellent “ginger juice” I buy in a 5 ounce bottle at Ms Greens Market in my area (Westchester County, NY). Use it in spicy margaritas and many other drinks. It’s nuttin but ginger.

[@soohyun5804]

I haven't taste it but I'd like to recommend this cocktail for Mr. and Ms.Huckleberry.

[@zewrac]

Oh, this one was excellent! Thanks for the tip 😋

[@gamrkidd]

“If you have enough of these and you are sick you may not care that you’re sick” amazing quote hahaha

[@robertachampeau2078]

Honey, ginger, 🍋. 😋 Great show as usual❤️❤️

[@jeraimie]

Wow, when you said "kind of a bandaid flavor..." my ears perked up! That's oddly true.

[@glenngallegos]

Thank you for shaking in the Laphoaig. I would think that floating it, especially because of the peat flavor to it, would overpower the drink.

[@Lee-lm9xi]

I like using a atomiser with drinks like these. Prefer it to the float with these

[@chrisandkeikoogopogo]

Thanks Anders! I’m new to your channel but love your energy and the background that you bring to each drink! I’m hoping to open my own bar one day and I find your explanations memorable and fun! Keep up the great work eh! Cheers!

[@guyrich6467]

cheers! i haven't acquired a taste for scotch yet. this may be an avenue

[@pedrogusmao5738]

I have used Mezcal instead of Single Malt and it actually turned out pretty good. Since it was already quite different, I added a pinch of black pepper. Ok it is not Penicillin anymore but still enjoyable

[@chrisschuster9828]

Love that stuff.

[@dennisrogers4665]

Since learning how to make this cocktail from you, I practically don’t like anything else. I make it at home all the time. This drink is just so damn good and is literally the perfect cocktail!! For every 10 of these, I might make one basic whiskey sour just for some variety. Help!! I’ve tried so many other cocktails (e.g. Manhattan, Negroni, Enzoni, Sazarac, Vieux Carre, Rusty Nail, endless varieties of Old Fashioneds, and on and on…). The Penicillin is the only cocktail I want anymore! I don’t want to get sick of it and need another amazing cocktail I can make but just don’t know what that could possibly be. Sigh…. I’m probably hopeless. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I guess it doesn’t help that I’ve learned I don’t really care for vermouth.

[@soctaviano]

I would try a Whiskey Smash or simply a Mezcal Margarita. From the cocktails I know, these two seem closest to the Penicillin, but damn that's a good drink. Cheers.

[@nielsmulder6333]

Although I like the taste of all the separate components and I got the same color after shaking, it totally wasn’t what I expected. So after a sip of 2, I decided to add ginger beer and right now enjoying it supremely🍹🥳