Medicina Latina
The Medicina Latina is a cleverly named riff on the modern classic cocktail, the Penicillin. Featured in Sasha Petraske’s book, Regarding Cocktails, this cocktail features the familiar honey and ginger duo, however, this time paired with both agave-based spirits and lime juice. Even with an identical composition, this cocktail manages to achieve a delightful flavor without sacrificing the integrity of the original. As previously mentioned, mezcal is often described as ‘smoky tequila,’ which works wonderfully to float on top of the cocktail. Much like the Islay scotch on the Penicillin, mezcal adds that initial smoky flavor on the front end without entirely dominating the overall flavor of the cocktail. When it comes to preparation, because there is both citrus and honey syrup, you will want to shake your cocktail before straining it in your rocks glass over a large clear ice cube. Although there’s nothing wrong with using regular ice, the surface area of the large clear ice cube is ideal after shaking allowing for a more controlled dilution as well as making it easier to float the mezcal. Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to garnish your cocktail with some crystallized ginger; it may not be critical, but it’s a tasty treat. But don’t take my word for it, make one and try it for yourself!
Medicina Latina
In your shaker, combine the ginger syrup, honey syrup, lime juice, and blanco tequila.
0.375 oz of Ginger Syrup
0.375 oz of Honey Syrup
0.75 oz of Lime Juice
2 oz of Blanco Tequila
0.25 oz of Mezcal (to float)
Add ice to your shaker and shake until it develops a frost. Strain the contents into your double rocks glass over a large ice cube. Using the back of a bar spoon, slowly pour the mezcal floating it across the top. Garnish with crystallized ginger.
