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 drink its unique and complex flavour.
Hanky Panky Cocktail
PREP TIME 5 min
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Add ice to a mixing glass, followed by the gin, sweet vermouth, and amaro
02
2.
Stir until nicely chilled (around 30 seconds should do the trick)
03
3.
Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass
04
4.
Add the orange peel as garnish and enjoy
History of the Hanky Panky cocktail
This 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.
The story goes that she spent hours experimenting until the 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.
How to make the Hanky Panky cocktail
If you’re looking for a drink to pack a punch, mix this one up for you and your friends. This cocktail should be stirred and not shaken to ensure that none of the flavours gets diluted. The orange peel twist is essential to the 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.
When to serve this stellar sipper
With its zesty orange flavours and herbal undertones, this 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!
So now you know how to make this classic cocktail with the quirky name all on your own. Visit the Bulldog Gin (opens in new window) and Cinzano (opens in new window) websites to stock up on recipe essentials and remember to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the mix.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As the story suggests, the 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.
