Medicina Latina

The Medicina Latina masterfully swaps the Scotch whisky of a Penicillin for tequila and mezcal, creating a vibrant and compelling flavor profile. It combines the earthy notes of reposado tequila with the bright acidity of fresh lime juice and a sweet-spicy kick from a homemade honey-ginger syrup. A float of smoky mezcal on top provides an alluring aroma and adds layers of complexity, making it a perfectly balanced and memorable sour.
Medicina Latina

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Medicina Latina is categorized as a Modern Classic cocktail. It is a creative "sour" style drink that gained popularity in the craft cocktail scene for its innovative twist on an existing contemporary favorite.

Serving

This cocktail is served cold in a chilled rocks or Old Fashioned glass over a single large ice cube to minimize dilution. It is a spirit-forward but well-balanced drink with a noticeable alcohol presence.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz (before ice)
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by bartender Marcos Tello around 2009 at The Varnish, a renowned craft cocktail bar in Los Angeles. It was conceived as a tequila-based riff on Sam Ross's Penicillin, aiming to capture the same satisfying balance of sweet, sour, and spicy with a distinct agave spirit character. Its clever name and delicious profile helped it spread rapidly through the global cocktail community.
Origin
Los Angeles, USA, circa 2009.

Medicina Latina

The name "Medicina Latina" translates directly to "Latin Medicine." This is a clever nod to its inspiration, the Penicillin cocktail, and its base of Latin spirits like tequila and mezcal, framing it as a zesty "cure-all."
Original name
Medicina Latina
Alternative name
Latin Medicine

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex aroma of smoke and ginger, leading to a balanced flavor of sweet honey, sour lime, and spicy ginger, all built on an earthy agave base. The texture is smooth with a lingering, warming finish.
Flavor
Smoky, ginger-spice, honey-sweet, earthy agave, citrusy
Aroma
Smoky mezcal, fresh ginger, lime zest, cooked agave
Taste balance
Sweet, sour, spicy, smoky
Aftertaste
Lingering smoke, warm ginger spice, clean
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow, slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, medium-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intense and balanced, led by a prominent sourness and ginger spice, supported by moderate sweetness and alcohol strength. It is not salty, creamy, or carbonated.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need reposado tequila as the base, fresh lime juice for acidity, and a homemade honey-ginger syrup for sweetness and spice. A smoky mezcal is floated on top for aroma and complexity.
  • Reposado Tequila60 ml / 2 ounces
    A 100% agave reposado tequila provides a good balance of agave flavor and subtle oak notes.
  • Mezcal7.5 ml / 0.25 ounces
    Used as a float for aroma. A smoky mezcal from Oaxaca works best.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ounces
    Must be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
  • Honey-Ginger Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 ounces
    To make, combine equal parts honey and hot water, add chopped ginger, let steep, then strain. Typically a 3:1 ratio of honey to water, blended with fresh ginger juice.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking, one large cube for serving.

Mixing equipments

Essential equipment includes a cocktail shaker for chilling and dilution, a jigger for accurate measurements, and both a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer (for double-straining) to ensure a smooth texture.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Fine-mesh strainer

Instructions

The method involves shaking the main ingredients with ice, double-straining into a glass with a large ice cube to ensure a clean texture, and then carefully floating mezcal on top before garnishing.
1. Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass and set it aside to chill.
2. Add the reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, and honey-ginger syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared rocks glass over the large ice cube.
5. Gently pour the mezcal over the back of a bar spoon to float it on top of the drink.
6. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.

Garnishing

A single piece of candied ginger is the traditional garnish, complementing the drink's spicy notes and adding a sweet, chewy treat at the end.
  • Candied ginger, placed on the rim of the glass or directly on the large ice cube.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegetarian and generally free from gluten, dairy, eggs, and caffeine. It is not vegan due to the use of honey, though this can be substituted with agave nectar.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and honey-ginger syrup. It contains a relatively low amount of carbohydrates and sugar compared to sweeter, fruit-juice-heavy drinks.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour, as a conversation starter at a social gathering, or for sipping on a patio during warmer months. Its refreshing yet complex nature makes it quite versatile.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Social Gathering
  • Summer Patio Sipping

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's smoky, spicy, and sour notes pair exceptionally well with Mexican and Latin American cuisine. It cuts through the richness of spicy pork tacos, complements the smokiness of grilled meats, and highlights the freshness of citrus-cured seafood like ceviche.
  • Spicy tacos al pastor
  • Smoky grilled meats or barbecue
  • Fresh ceviche

Medicina Latina: The Agave Cure-All

The Medicina Latina is a superb modern classic that brilliantly showcases the versatility of agave spirits. It stands as a smoky, spicy, and refreshing sour that directly riffs on the Penicillin cocktail, successfully swapping whisky for tequila and mezcal. Easy to drink yet complex in flavor, it is a testament to the creativity of modern mixology and a must-try for fans of agave spirits or well-balanced cocktails. Its inviting aroma and layered taste make it a standout choice on any menu.

Similar Cocktails

Penicillin

The original inspiration. Made with blended Scotch, peated Islay Scotch, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup.

Gold Rush

A simpler sour using bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup. It shares the honey and citrus notes but lacks the ginger spice and smokiness.

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