Ingredients
Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice
Stir until well chilled
Strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with an orange twist
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe
Garnish
Express oils and place on rim
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
A little Fernet goes a long way
Use fresh sweet vermouth for best flavor
Express the orange twist over the surface before garnishing
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Hanky Panky.
Perfect Hanky Panky
A sophisticated variation of the classic Hanky Panky that splits the vermouth between sweet and dry styles, achieving perfect balance between botanical gin and herbal complexity.
Bittered Hanky Panky
A bold evolution of the classic Hanky Panky with increased Fernet-Branca—gin, sweet vermouth, and pronounced herbal bitterness for adventurous palates.
Oaxacan Hanky Panky
A modern classic that reimagines the early 20th-century Hanky Panky by substituting gin with smoky mezcal, creating a sophisticated and complex drinking experience.
History & Heritage
Savoy head bartender Ada "Coley" Coleman crafted the Hanky Panky circa 1910 for actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, who upon tasting declared it "the real hanky-panky." Her equal-parts mix of gin and sweet vermouth, sharpened with Fernet-Branca, became one of the era's most enduring Savoy originals.
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Bittered Hanky Panky
A bold evolution of the classic Hanky Panky with increased Fernet-Branca—gin, sweet vermouth, and pronounced herbal bitterness for adventurous palates.
Negroni
A perfectly symmetrical mix of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth that defined the bitter-sweet aperitivo and spawned a family of riffs.
Oaxacan Hanky Panky
A modern classic that reimagines the early 20th-century Hanky Panky by substituting gin with smoky mezcal, creating a sophisticated and complex drinking experience.
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