The Hanky Panky Cocktail Recipe

The Hanky-Panky was invented by Ada Coleman (known as "Coley") a bartender at the American Bar at the London Savoy Hotel in the early 20th century.

The Hanky Panky is a classic gin-based cocktail with a fascinating history dating back to 1925. It was created by Ada “Coley” Coleman, the trailblazing head bartender at the Savoy Hotel’s American Bar in London, one of the few female bartenders of her era. The cocktail was crafted for the famous actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, who requested something “with a bit of punch.” Coleman responded by adding Fernet Branca to a standard mix of gin and sweet vermouth, producing a bold, aromatic, and slightly bitter drink that quickly gained acclaim among sophisticated cocktail enthusiasts.

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The Hanky Panky emerged during a period when European cocktail culture was flourishing and became increasingly popular among American expatriates during the Prohibition era (1920–1933). Its combination of gin, sweet vermouth, and bitters created a complex balance of sweetness, bitterness, and herbal aroma, making it a standout choice in upscale bars. Traditionally served straight up in a cocktail glass with a twist of orange, the Hanky Panky has retained its elegance and distinctive flavour profile over the decades.

Today, the Hanky Panky is celebrated as a timeless classic cocktail, notable not only for its unique taste but also for its historical significance and connection to one of the pioneering female bartenders of the 20th century. It remains a staple in craft cocktail bars worldwide, representing both the innovation of early 20th-century mixology and the enduring appeal of gin-based cocktails with a sophisticated, aromatic edge.

Hanky-Panky Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz of gin

• 1 ½ oz of sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Fernet-Branca

• Garnish with an orange twist

• Mixing Glass

• Ice

  
  

Assembly

Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.