Every year I have the good fortune of going on a golf trip with three close friends. Actually I have the good fortune of going on two golf trips with the same friends every year. The trips have become tradition and they span across a period of almost twenty years.
One of the traditions we have is a standing wager on every day’s round of golf. We play a twosome skin match with the same partners every year. Instead of betting for money, the wager is far more valuable. We play for cocktails and compliments.
The way it works is simple. After the match is over, the losing side must serve the winning team cocktails all evening. And upon presenting each drink, the server must give a sincere compliment to the receipient. Over the years, my partner and I have served up more drinks and issued more salutations than we have recieved, but sometimes giving truly is better. And in the end, the friendship we’ve built is worth the lost wager.
This past year we served a tasty cocktail that was fun to make and an honor to recieve (yes, in fact this year we actually won a match). It is called a Penicillin. A scotch-based drink that is infused with honey and ginger. It is wonderfully complex in flavor, with the smokey tones coming from the scotch offset by a sweet spicy finish from the honey and ginger. Give a try, I think you will like it!
Penicillin Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz Blended scotch (e.g. Dewar’s or Famous Grouse)
- 3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz Honey syrup*
- 1/4 oz Islay single-malt scotch (I prefer Laphroaig)
- 4-5 chunks of fresh ginger
Steps
- Add the honey syrup and ginger to a shaker. Muddle the ginger well.
- Add the blended scotch, lemon juice and ice; shake.
- Using a strainer, pour into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top with the single-malt scotch. For better results, slowly pour the single-malt over the back side of a bar spoon so it ‘floats’ over the drink.
- Garnish with a lemon peel or wedge.
- *Honey syrup: Combine 1 cup honey and 1 cup water in a saucepan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer 5 minutes. Place in the refrigerator to cool.
Pyrate Bar 