Cocktail culture is increasingly conquering the world. But most drinks were invented for a long time, and they managed to become classics. One of the last recognitions of the Bartenders Association was the Penicillin cocktail, invented by Sam Ross in the new millennium. The mixologist himself assures that he simply improved the long-known “Whiskey Sauer”, but his colleagues do not agree with this: they believe that he said a completely new word in the art of creating cocktails.
Sam Ross Recipe: The Right Ginger
What is unique about the Penicillin cocktail? Its composition for the first time in bartender history includes single malt whiskey. However, this is not the only nuance and secret (however, it is not kept secret). Ross believes that the key to the proper taste is expertly prepared ginger juice. It is squeezed in a centrifuge or a kitchen juicer and flavored with a little sugar. There are only two cooking conditions. Firstly, sand cannot be replaced with syrup, otherwise the root aroma will disappear very quickly. Secondly, it is strictly forbidden to boil ginger in honey or syrup, as some bartenders do. With this approach, not only the aroma of fresh spices is lost, but also its useful properties. And the Penicillin cocktail itself turns into an ordinary, passing drink. But properly prepared juice can be used all evening without prejudice to the cocktail.
How to make syrup?
The syrup in the drink is exclusively honey. The bee product variety does not have special significance: even if it is grassy, even lime, even buckwheat. The main thing is not sugared. A syrup is prepared from three parts of honey in one volume of water. To accelerate dissolution, it is possible to warm the mixture, but not higher than 60-70 degrees, so as not to kill the benefits and smell inherent in honey.
Rules for combining ingredients
Sam Ross suggests using Laphroaig whiskey as an alcohol for a cocktail, which perfectly balances and harmonizes the aromas of ginger with honey. However, other maximum smoky grades are also allowed.
The bartender pays special attention to the order of “assembly” of the cocktail. In his opinion, first you need to lay citrus components, then sweet, then alcohol. Ice rushes last, as it immediately begins to melt, reducing the taste of the drink.
Well, finally, the original ratio of ingredients:
- 60 ml blended whiskey from Scotland.
- 22.5 ml (I think up to tenths of a milliliter accuracy should not be observed) lemon juice, only squeezed.
- 12 ml of honey syrup.
- As much ginger juice.
- 7.5 ml (roughly speaking - a dessert spoon) of Laphroaig whiskey.
Beat everything except the last component, filter it into a glass with ice, pour No. 5 from the list on top, garnish with ginger (preferably candied).
Penicillin cocktail: a simplified recipe
Not all mixer workers are so meticulously follow the author's recipe. Usually bartenders follow a simpler path. In their performance cocktail "Penicillin" is as follows.
A lemon peel is removed from the lemon, designed to become an ornament. Juice is squeezed into a shaker, which also contains a stack (50 ml) of blended whiskey, a spoon (15 ml) of ginger syrup, a slice of fresh root and egg white. The latter is a clear reference to the Whiskey Sauer cocktail, which hides the modest Sam. All this shakes for 5 seconds, ice is added, a couple more shakes - and into the glass.
Those who wish can prepare the Penicillin cocktail in both ways and compare. In principle, whoever likes what, and to each his own.
Alternative: “Pink Penicillin”
This cocktail is known as one of the ten most "slaughter", despite the rather innocent "appearance". For it are combined in equal proportions (traditionally - 30 milliliters) schnapps 99 Bananas, Japanese melon liqueur Midori and cream. To mitigate the sharp taste of schnapps, grenadine is added - its amount already depends on your preferences. In some recipes, it is recommended to replace the melon Midori with watermelon.
The cocktail is considered invigorating. But, it seems, people who are not used to alcoholic diversity will not stand more than one serving, in any case, in a conscious state. If you prefer to remember the evening and not blush in the morning, it would be better to prefer the Penicillin cocktail, the recipe of which was suggested by Sam Ross: tasty, unusual, and you can sip for a long time.