Hanky Panky Cocktail

Name: Hanky Panky Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1.5 Oz Bulldog Gin; 1.5 Oz Cinzano Rosso; A few dashes of Fernet-Branca; Ice; Orange peel, to garnish

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Gin

Great for

Dinner Party

Difficulty

Easy

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If you love gin, you will love our little recipe and Hanky Panky cocktail ingredients. This sweet gin martini is anything but discreet: the gin makes it a little naughty, while the sweet vermouth makes it a little nice. But it’s the addition of the Italian amaro (bitters) that gives the Hanky Panky cocktail its unique and complex flavor.

How to make the Hanky Panky cocktail

If you’re looking for a drink that will pack a punch, then mix up this Hanky Panky drink for you and your friends. This cocktail should be stirred and not shaken to ensure that none of the flavors get diluted. The orange peel twist is an essential part of the Hanky Panky cocktail ingredients. Hold the peel over the cocktail and twist it to get all that delicious citrus oil into your drink. For added zest, rub the peel along the rim of the glass before dropping it into the drink.

QUICK TIPS

Store vermouth in the fridge for three months once the bottle has been opened.

For a drier Hanky Panky, use 2 oz dry gin and 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 0.25 oz Fernet-Branca.

Add a splash of fresh orange juice to add some fresh citrus flavor.

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

1.5 Oz

45 Ml

1.5 Parts

Bulldog Gin

1.5 Oz

45 Ml

1.5 Parts

Cinzano Rosso

A few dashes of Fernet-Branca

Ice

Orange peel, to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Add ice to a mixing glass, followed by the gin, sweet vermouth, and amaro

Stir until nicely chilled

Strain into a chilled Martini or coupe glass

Add the orange peel as garnish and enjoy

History of the Hanky Panky cocktail

The Hanky Panky recipe was created by Ada Coleman, the head bartender at the American Bar in London’s famous Savoy Hotel in the early 1900s. During her 23 years behind the bar, Coley (as she was fondly called by her glitzy customers) was lucky enough to serve various celebrities and important types, including Mark Twain, Charlie Chaplin, and even the Prince of Wales. So, it was no big deal when actor Charles Hawtrey asked her to create a cocktail with a bit of punch in it.

The story goes that she spent hours experimenting until the Hanky Panky cocktail ingredients eventually came together. On taking his first sip, Hawtrey exclaimed: ‘By Jove, Coley! That is the real hanky panky!’ before draining the glass. And so the name stuck, and over a hundred years later, you can still order one of the best gin cocktails ever created. Or, better yet, make one yourself.

When to serve the Hanky Panky cocktail?

With zesty orange flavors and herbal undertones, the Hanky Panky cocktail is one of the best winter gin cocktails. Given its strong taste, it’s best served before or after a meal on festive nights in. Trust us, it’ll definitely get the conversation flowing!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

As the story suggests, the Hanky Panky cocktail is strong enough to pack a punch. It’s a liquor-only drink, so expect an ABV of roughly 24%. Sip slowly and appreciate, we suggest.

You’ll notice the aroma of citrus when you bring the glass to your lips. Expect some herbaceous minty notes from the Fernet-Branca, as it cuts through the sweetness of the vermouth. It’s lovely and balanced, and best enjoyed during colder weather.