Books & Booze: This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor and a Penicillin

If you’re looking for validation for disappointing your parents by not going to medical school this is the perfect book. This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay is a recounting of his years spent as a medical doctor in the UK. His stories of patient care and life as a medical professional in the National Health Service are both hilarious and harrowing. If you’re into this kind of thing I highly recommend reading this book.

The Penicillin has been on my list of classic cocktails for a while, how could I resist pairing it with this read. Originally created by New York bartender Sam Ross, this cocktail hasn’t been around for as long as some classics, but due to its popularity I’m counting it. This whiskey based cocktail earns its name by combining the medicinal flavors of honey, lemon and ginger. There are a tonne of variations on this drink, but I used the specs from liquor.com

Next weeks books is My Sister, the Serial Killer ​by Oyinkan Braithwaite.

Penicillin
2 oz. blended scotch (lots of people suggest Famous Grouse, I used Low Gap)
3/4 oz. lemon juice
3/4 oz. honey ginger syrup
1/4 oz. Isley scotch (Laphroaig or Lagavulan)

Combine the blended scotch, lemon juice and honey-ginger syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and pour into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with the Isley scotch and garnish with candied ginger.

Cheers!