Hanky Panky Cocktail Recipe

Hanky Panky Cocktail


Have Some Fun With This One

Hanky Panky Cocktail
Hanky Panky Cocktail

The hanky panky cocktail is a classic martini that is perfect for any occasion. The ingredients are simple: gin, vermouth, and Fernet Branca. However, the combination of these ingredients results in a delicious and complex drink.

Cocktail History

Ada Coleman created the Hanky Panky. She was the head bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London from 1903 to 1925. The Savoy Hotel was the place to drink in those days and Ada served all the fanciest people coming through London.

According to the legend himself, Gary Regan, Coleman created the cocktail for Sir Charles Hawtrey, an actor who visited her bar. He reportedly asked for a drink with punch. This is what she came up with. As the lore goes he proclaimed “By Jove! That’s the real hanky-panky!” The name stuck.

The Hanky Panky became Coleman’s signature drink. It is equal parts gin and sweet vermouth. It is similar to a Martinez. The difference is it only uses one type of vermouth and swaps maraschino for Fernet-Branca. The difference in flavour is pronounced. Fernet adds a huge range of bitter herbal flavours and aromas.


What’s in a Hanky Panky?

The list of Hanky Panky cocktail ingredients is short and sweet. Gin, sweet vermouth and a touch of Fernet.

London Dry Gin – Any of the classic London Dry Gins will work well here. Think about Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater or Tanqueray. If you want a craft gin, or something from a smaller producer look for something with a fairly pronounced flavor.

Sweet Vermouth – Sweet vermouth fortified wine made with herbs and botanicals. Sweet vermouth has a slightly sweet taste and is less bitter than other types of vermouth.

Fernet Branca – Fernet-Branca is an aromatic, bitter spirit that has a long history in the city of Milan. Fernet-Branca also contains other ingredients, which include alcohol (brandy), quinine (to offset malaria), aloe, rhubarb, cinnamon, cardamom, gentian root extract for digestive purposes, and other substances to achieve its signature flavor.

How do make a Hanky Panky?

The Hanky Panky is a spirit forward cocktail. That means it is a stirred cocktail.

Mix the gin and vermouth in a cocktail shaker with ice until it is cold to the taste. Pour into a large martini glass then add two or three shots of Fernet Branca. The resulting drink should have an orange-brown color from the mixture of these three ingredients. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist in order to be both festive and presentable before serving! 


Hank Panky Cocktail Recipe

  • 1 1/2 oz London dry gin
  • 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 barspoon Fernet-Branca
  1. Pour everything over ice in a mixing glass.
  2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  3. Garnish with a twist of orange.

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