On this day in 1928, Alexander Fleming, a Scottish physician, saw that mold had accidently developed on a staph culture plate and had created a bacteria-free circle around itself. After further experimentation, Flemming found that the strength that this mold held against bacterial infection was consistent. He named the active substance Penicillin.
Many ancient cultures, including Aboriginal Australian, Chinese, Egyptian, and Indian, used fungi to treat infections. Penicillin works by penetrating the cell walls of an infection as it tries to rebuild itself. It can be cultivated on oranges and other citrus, melons, and bread given the right conditions. By 1942, Penicillin treatment was widely available and the human race has not been wiped out by Syphilis and other STDs largely because of Flemming’s happy accident in the lab.
Music Du Jour: Penicillin Party Playlist
Films Du Jour:
Penicillin The Magic Bullet (2018)
Breaking the ⦁ Mould BBC (2009)
Snacks Du Jour:
Citrus fruits, melons, and breads.
Note: Antibiotics fight bacteria, but they can also upset the balance of good bacteria in the microbiome. Eating snacks with prebiotics may help restore the gut, including onions, garlic, bananas, chicory root, and Jerusalem artichokes.
Cocktail Du Jour – El Matador with Johnnie Walker Double Black
Dr. Fleming was from Ayrshire, Scotland, home of Turnberry Castle where Robert the Bruce was born, and not far from where Johnnie Walker is distilled. This recipe comes from Christian Rolon from Regent Cocktail Club in Miami and includes lots of citrus.
⦁ 1.25 oz Johnnie Walker Double Black
⦁ 0.25 oz sweet Italian vermouth
⦁ 0.75 oz ⦁ yurba⦁ ⦁ maté syrup*
⦁ 0.75 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
⦁ 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
⦁ 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange wheel and 3 Italian parsley leaves.
*How to make maté syrup: steep yerba maté tea bag into one cup of hot water in a small pot. Add one cup of sugar. Bring to a simmer and stir until all sugar has dissolved.
Mocktail Du Jour – El Matador Mocktail
⦁ 1.25 oz ⦁ Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey
⦁ 0.25 oz ⦁ smoked maple syrup
⦁ 0.75 oz ⦁ yurba⦁ maté syrup*
⦁ 0.75 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
⦁ 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
⦁ 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange wheel and 3 Italian parsley leaves.
*How to make maté syrup: steep yerba maté tea bag into one cup of hot water in a small pot. Add one cup of sugar. Bring to a simmer and stir until all sugar has dissolved.
Beer Du Jour
Blue Moon® Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale. Garnish with a big orange wheel.
Wine Du Jour
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato Orange Wine
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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