The Hanky Panky – Happy Valentine’s Day!
What do you get when you combine gin, Italian vermouth and Fernet Branca? As the British actor Sir Charles Hawtrey remarked after he drained his first glass “By Jove! That is the real hanky-panky!” The name stuck. And luckily for those who imbibe, so did the drink.
This remarkable mix was devised by Ada Coleman. Known as “Coley,” she was head barman at The American Bar of London’s Savoy Hotel for the first quarter of the twentieth century. “American Bar”, by the way, signified an establishment that served American style cocktails along with wine and ale.
This drink is equal parts gin and Italian vermouth plus Fernet Branca, the herbaceous menthol big daddy of amari. Mind you, I am talking about a mere 2 dashes of Fernet, but even that amount is enough for the Fernet to sing. And sing it does in the loveliest harmony with gin and sweet vermouth.
Go on, order one. After all, isn’t Valentine’s Day the perfect time for a little Hanky Panky?
The Hanky Panky
serves 1
1 1/2 oz. Hendrick’s gin
1 1/2 oz. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
2 dashes Fernet Branca
twist of orange peel
Fill a cocktail shaker half way with ice. Add liquors, stir thirty seconds, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist orange peel over glass to add orange oil to drink, and garnish with a fresh twist.
For more with Fernet Branca click here!
Note: You can click on any picture for a slide show!
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Tuesday, February 12th 2013 at 9:42 pm |
Great Cocktail Adri! Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Paola
Wednesday, February 13th 2013 at 6:29 am |
Ciao Paola,
You’re going to like this one! Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Tuesday, February 12th 2013 at 11:32 pm |
Che bellissima idea, grazie cara! Deve essere piacevolissimo! <3 Un felice San Valentino a te.. di cuore! 🙂
Wednesday, February 13th 2013 at 6:29 am |
Grazie, Ely, e un felice San Valentino a te!
Wednesday, February 13th 2013 at 6:09 am |
Oh Adri – You make me want to engage in some hanky panky even if I don’t like Fernet Branca. Your staging and those photos are sinfully enticing.
Wednesday, February 13th 2013 at 6:34 am |
Hi Linda,
I couldn’t resist this one, for obvious reasons. But seriously, the Fernet is present in such small amounts, that its extremely assertive nature does not have a chance to give the imbiber a jolt. Instead it blends with the gin (I used Hendrick’s, although something less floral and more dry like Tanqueray is more traditional) and Cocchi Vermouth underpinning this drink with a hefty, almost sweetish sort of base. You simply will not want to put this one down. And, as always, I will pass the kudos on to Bart.
Saturday, February 16th 2013 at 12:41 am |
Ciao Adri,
non sono propriamente un tipo da cocktail, ma il colore di questo drink mi spingerebbe a provare. La seconda foto è assolutamente bellissima. Un bacione, Pat
Saturday, February 16th 2013 at 6:28 am |
Ciao Pat,
Spero che provarlo. Il sapore e delicato e molto liscio, una piacere di bere. Grazie per le parole gentilissime. Mio marito, Bart ed io lavoriamo insieme – “a family project!”
Sunday, February 17th 2013 at 10:22 am |
I’ll be making this by the end of the day today. I don’t have the same vermouth on hand but I do have the Fernet and will enjoy trying out several, many, lots, of variations. Thanks! And wow does this look so beautiful!
Sunday, February 17th 2013 at 10:40 am |
Benvenuto Trevor!
No thanks are necessary. The pleasure is entirely mine. I adore this cocktail, and I hope you do too. Traditionally it is made with a dry gin, such as Tanqueray, but I thought the floral notes of the Hendrick’s married beautifully with the Cocchi vermouth and Fernet. I’d love to hear what you think of this one – and the rundown on your variations too. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!
Sunday, February 17th 2013 at 4:35 pm |
Another odd coincidence. I loved the story of Coley and decided to put this cocktail in mu New Savory Cocktails book. But I decided this about 2 weeks ago! Eerie. GREG
Sunday, February 17th 2013 at 7:54 pm |
Whoa. Separated at birth… can’t wait for the book!
This drink is so good. In fact, it has supplanted the Boulevardier as my favorite cocktail.
Monday, February 18th 2013 at 6:41 pm |
This sounds superb. I love the taste of all three ingredients and I can imagine how well they go together… Looking forward to tomorrow evening!
Wait, hold the presses… I got curious and just went down to the bar and fixed myself one. Very nice. Different from what I was expected, which was something similar to a Negroni. This has a character all its own, and a very nice one at that…
Tuesday, February 19th 2013 at 7:00 am |
Ciao Frank!
Oh, how I love a curious mind and palate. If ever one needed an object lesson in just how much of its character a Negroni owes to Campari, the Hanky Panky must be it. I found this cocktail remarkably smooth, and easy to drink. Drinkers need not be put off by the Fernet. It does seem to intimidate many, but it does the most subtle blending job here. I am glad you liked it, and really so pleased to hear you tried this. Cheers!
Thursday, January 30th 2014 at 2:19 pm |
Adri, this is absolutely gorgeous! No other words!
Thursday, January 30th 2014 at 2:54 pm |
Hi Liz,
Thank you-this is my favorite cocktail!
Saturday, February 14th 2015 at 6:06 am |
happy Valentine’s day my dear, a warm hug !
Saturday, February 14th 2015 at 6:43 am |
Ciao Chiara,
I send warmest wishes to you. Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope that the new year is treating you well. Un bacione a te!