Hanky Panky Cocktail Recipe
The Hanky Panky cocktail is a true classic. It is a smooth and balanced mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca, with just the right blend of sweetness and bitterness. Ada Coleman, one of the first famous female bartenders, created this drink at London’s American Bar in the early 1900s, and it has been a favorite ever since.
Equipment
- Mixing Glass
- Bar Spoon
- Strainer
- Nick and Nora glass or coupe
- Citrus peeler
Ingredients
- 1½ oz London Dry Gin
- 1½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Fernet-Branca
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill the glass by filling it with ice water. Let it sit while we mix the drink, then empty it when we are ready to pour.
- In a mixing glass, add gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca.
- Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes to slow down dilution.
- Stir for about 30 seconds until everything is well mixed and properly chilled.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Cut a strip of orange peel, twist it over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in.
Notes
- Keep sweet vermouth refrigerated to maintain its fresh taste.
- Stir just enough to chill the drink without over-diluting it.
- When adding the orange twist, make sure to express the oils over the entire surface of the drink.
- Taste as you stir. Fernet-Branca is strong, so we want to balance it just right.