Cocktail of the Month: Hanky Panky

Branded “the Queen of Cocktail Mixers” by the London Daily upon her retirement, Ada Coleman’s legacy resides with a particular drink she invented during her time as head bartender at the London Savoy.

Ever keen to respond to punters’ requests, Coleman devoted several hours to producing a new cocktail for one particular regular. Visiting the American bar inside the Savoy, quite often after treading the boards, was actor Charles Hawtrey, who asked Coleman to produce something with a bit of punch.

His reaction on drinking Coleman’s concoction was to cry aloud “by Jove. That is the real hanky panky!”, thus coining the cocktail’s name.

Fascinating Plot Twists

Though made with only three core ingredients, the Hanky Panky serves up a complex bittersweet sensation; dry through the gin, sweetened with vermouth, and enhanced by the aromatic bitterness of Fernet Branca liquor.

The Hanky Panky has incredible character - certainly a tipple worth trying at home the bank holiday weekend.

Monkey 47’s Hanky Panky

Ingredients

45ml Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin (available at Lovewine.je)

45ml Italian vermouth (Martini, Rosso)

2 dashes of Fernet Branca

Method

Combine the Monkey 47 gin with the vermouth and Fernet Branca in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and then strain into a cocktail glass. Finally garnish with a little orange zest over the top.

Cheers!

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