Discover penicillin, the new drink of the moment in SP, and find out where to try it

There is a new drink of the moment in São Paulo, which has gained prominence on the menus of bars and restaurants in the city. After the wave of gin and tonic and Fitzgerald, it’s the turn of penicillin, a cocktail created in the 2000s that has re-emerged as a modern classic.

The drink leaves gin aside and is based on whiskey, whose strong flavor is softened with the addition of honey, ginger and lemon to the recipe, developed by Australian bartender Sam Ross in a bar in New York, United States, in 2005. The name is inspired by penicillin, an antibiotic, and alludes to the medicinal properties of the ingredients.

“Penicillin is refreshing, smoky and fruity. It’s cold and easy to drink and brings a tropical vibe that has to do with our country”, says mixologist Stephanie Marinkovic, who runs the counter at Bar dos Cravos, a new addition to Paraíso , a neighborhood in the south zone.

Refreshment that matches the hot climate that the capital of São Paulo has experienced in recent months, with historic temperature records. “In addition, we are experiencing a boom that brings the classics back to the fore, especially the refreshing ones, such as Fitzgerald, Tom Collins and penicillin”, says Marinkovic.

According to the mixologist and bar consultant, those who dictate the trendy drinks list are the bartenders themselves, who choose which drink they will opt for. “We live moments in the cocktail bar. Bartenders start to observe what other professionals are working on and tend to reproduce it.”

Whiskey, considered a more mature drink, is also going through a phase of good acceptance among São Paulo residents, making room for penicillin, adds Marinkovic. Next, find out where to try the drink of the moment.

Aiô

Bartender Maurício Barbosa runs the bar at the new Taiwanese restaurant and gives the penicillin (R$36) an Asian touch: it contains lapsang souchong black tea, 12-year-old Dewars whiskey, honey, ginger and lemon.
R. Áurea, 307, Vila Mariana, south region, @aiorestaurante

Anti

At the cocktail bar in the north zone, penicillin costs R$28 and combines whiskey, lemon, ginger and honey syrup.
Av. Nova Cantareira, 4,473, Tucuruvi, northern region, @bar.anti

Carnation Bar

Bartender Stephanie Marinkovic serves the classic drink with Scotch whiskey, smoked whiskey, ginger, ginger honey syrup, lemon and sugar, and topped with a ginger candy. The drink costs R$49.
R. Osório Duque Estrada, 41, Paraíso, southern region, tel. (11) 99787-0927, @bardoscravos

Cariri

Bartender from Paraíba Marquinhos Felix offers penicillin at his bar made with JW Black Label whiskey, honey syrup, ginger and lemon mix, finished with a touch of Talisker whiskey. It costs R$39.
R. França Pinto, 1,140, ​​Vila Mariana, southern region, @cariricocktail

Cora

Chef Pablo Inca’s house has a cocktail on the alcohol menu with scotch whiskey, honey syrup, lemon and ginger, for R$42.
R. Amaral Gurgel, 344, Vila Buarque, central region, @cora.sp

Dōmo

Voted best new product of the year by Sheet, the bar prepares a penicillin with Jim Bean Black bourbon, smoked moonshine (a type of distillate), lemon juice, honey and ginger. Signed by bartender Mari Mesquita, it costs R$46.
R. Maj. Sertório, 452, Vila Buarque, central region, @domobarsp

Physics

You can find penicillin on the bar’s classic menu. For R$42, it is prepared with Glenlivet whiskey, lemon, honey water, ginger and White Duck Smoked moonshine.
R. Treze de Maio, 798, Bela Vista, central region, tel. (11) 94063-4117, @fiica.sp

Flora

The bar is hidden behind a flower shop. The menu highlights classic cocktails, presented in chronological order. Penicillin is made with Singleton whiskey, honey, ginger, lemon and smoky perfume. It costs R$55.
R. Padre João Manuel, 795, Jardins, west region, @florabar.sp

Godê

At the bar, the classic drink combines whiskey, ginger syrup and lemon for R$ 33. Already called godêcillin, it contains whiskey, ginger syrup, juice and lemon and ginger foam, for R$ 35.
R. Cons. Nébias, 1,531, Campos Elíseos, central region, @botecogode

Gran Bar Bernacca

The cocktail bar at the Bottega Bernacca restaurant serves a drink with scotch whiskey, ginger syrup with honey, lemon and smoked whiskey, for R$35.
R. Amauri, 244, Itaim Bibi, western region, @granbarbernacca

Lardo

The address, which also works as a used bookstore, offers penicillin, made with scotch whiskey, smoked honey, lemon and ginger syrup. The drink costs R$36.
R. Guiara, 376, Pompeia, southern region, @lardo.pompeia

Lepos Bar

Penicillin is one of the most ordered drinks at the new bar. It costs R$45 and is prepared with 12-year-old Dewars whiskey, ginger, lemon and honey, finished with the scent of Port Charlotte smoked whiskey. There are around 60 cocktails on the menu created by Alagoas bartender Edgar Amorim.
R. Vicente Leporace, 1,078, Campo Belo, southern region, @leposbar

Kotori

The house of Thiago Bañares, from the award-winning Tan Tan, has a cocktail bar. The penicillin (R$44) contains Singleton Dufftown and Double Black whiskeys, ginger, honey and lemon.
R. Cônego Eugênio Leite, 639, Pinheiros, western region, @kotori.sp

MartinBar

At the bar and restaurant, penicillin (R$46) is made with two whiskeys, Black and Singleton, ginger, lemon and honey.
R. Apucarana, 1,490, Tatuapé, eastern region, @martinbaroficial

Trench

The address for good affordable drinks has penicillin on its menu of classics for R$35. The recipe is made with Dewars 12 whiskey, Sicilian lemon, peated whiskey, ginger and honey.
R. Rego Freitas, 441, República, central region, @ao.rego