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If you went back in time and visited any trendy bar at the turn of the 20th century, you’d be sure to find a Hanky Panky Cocktail on the menu. It’s classic, sophisticated and super easy to recreate at home.
The Hanky Panky is slightly sweet and slightly bitter with a whole lot of flavor. It’s a variation of the gin martini that’s velvety smooth and packed with complex flavors.
What Is a Hanky Panky Cocktail?
The Hanky Panky is a popular cocktail made from gin, sweet vermouth and Italian biters, Fernet-Branca. The drink was invented by a female bartender, Ada Coleman, in London in 1903.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Gin: Gin gets its distinctive flavor from Juniper berries. Popular brands include Tanqueray, Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire.
- Sweet Vermouth: This ingredient adds complex vanilla and caramel flavors to your cocktail. Try the Cinzano or Carpano brands.
- Fernet Branca: This is an Italian liqueur that adds an herbal, slightly bitter taste to balance out the sweet vermouth. A more accessible substitute is Campari.
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Hanky Panky Cocktail
- Add the ice to a mixing glass. Add the gin, sweet vermouth and fernet, stirring until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the chilled cocktail glass.
- Cut a long, narrow strip of orange peel using a channel knife (or paring knife) over the top of the glass. This allows the essential oils of the orange to flavor the drink.
- Add the orange twist to the rim of the glass with part of it dangling into the drink. Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Start chilling the glass before you start making it: This cocktail is best served very cold. Start chilling the glass before you start making it so you’ll be ready to serve.
- Make the orange twist over the glass for garnish: An authentic Hanky Panky is topped with an orange twist garnish. It’s a bit tricky to get the perfect twist, so don’t be afraid to just use a paring knife to slice off a bit of citrus peel.
What Does Fernet Branca Taste Like?
Fernet Branca is an Italian liqueur known for its bitter, herbal and slightly spicy flavor. Many compare the taste to black licorice.
How to Serve a Hanky Panky Cocktail?
The Hanky Panky is traditionally served in a Nick & Nora glass, with an orange peel twist for garnish.
Hanky Panky Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth
- 1/8 ounce fernet ½ teaspoon (see note)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 orange for the garnish
Instructions
- Place the cocktail glass in the freezer to chill.
- Add the ice to a mixing glass. Add the gin, sweet vermouth and fernet, stirring until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the chilled cocktail glass.
- Cut a long, narrow strip of orange peel using a channel knife (or paring knife) over the top of the glass. This allows the essential oils of the orange to flavor the drink.
- Add the orange twist to the rim of the glass with part of it dangling into the drink. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fernet: The original recipe uses Fernet-Branca, but I’ve found Contratto Fernet, Faccia Brutto or Fernet Pianta also work well.
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