The Hanky Panky cocktail originated around 1925 at the Savoy hotel in London, it is a play on the Sweet Martini. This cocktail recipe is the creation of the head bartender, Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman who created it for a famous stage actor, Sir Charles Hawtrey. When Sir Charles asked for a drink with a little bit of a kick to it, the bartender gave him the drink she created, he drained the glass and exclaimed “By Jove! That is the real hanky-panky!”.
Who knows if that story is true or not, we are basing the Hanky Panky Cocktails history on a 100-year-old story told by a couple of drunks at a bar. Haha, it is a good drink though. So, for those of you that love a good botanical gin, Fernet Branca is going to push you over the edge with a botanical wallop to the head. Clutch your pearls Mother, this one’s a doozy.
Shake or Stir a Gin Cocktail?
Why did Bond always ask for his Martini shaken not stirred? Easy, 007 was drinking a Vodka Martini, not a Gin Martini.
Never shake a Gin Cocktail, it will aerate the gin giving it a slightly ‘off’ flavor, destroying some of the subtle nuances and changing the flavor profile. Gently stir and you’ll be rewarded with a much more enjoyable cocktail.
Here’s the Hanky Panky Cocktail recipe:
Hanky Panky cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Ounces Gin
- 1 1/2 Ounces Sweet Vermouth
- 2 Dashes Fernet Branca
Garnish
- 1 Orange Peel
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice
- Stir well until ice cold
- Serve in a chilled Martini glass with an orange twist as garnish
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