Not only is it fresh and delicious – it is a pioneering cocktail
When you are deciding on a drink, you have plenty of options, but the cool backstory to this cocktail can make you want to have a sip. When you order a Hanky Panky, you’re not just enjoying a balanced blend of gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca—you’re tasting a slice of cocktail history shaped by one of the most important women in bartending: Ada “Coley” Coleman.
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The Hanky Panky was created in the early 1900s at London’s iconic Savoy Hotel, a glamorous destination for high society and global trendsetters. Coleman, who began her bartending career in the 1890s, eventually rose to become head bartender at the Savoy’s American Bar. The appointment made her one of the very first female bartenders in a luxury establishment—a groundbreaking achievement at a time when cocktail culture was still a male-dominated world.
The story goes the Hanky Panky was invented for Sir Charles Hawtrey, a well-known actor of the time. He wanted something “with a bit of punch,” so Coleman went back to her mixing glass. She experimented with flavors until she hit on a mix of gin, vermouth, and a dash of Fernet-Branca, an Italian amaro known for its bitter and herbal complexity. When Hawtrey tried it, he exclaimed, “By Jove! That’s the real hanky panky!” The name stuck—and so did the cocktail.
Unlike sweeter drinks of the era, the Hanky Panky delivered layers of intrigue. The gin’s crispness mingled with the vermouth’s rounded sweetness, while the Fernet added a bitter, bracing edge making it feel daring and modern. For cocktail fans today—especially Millennials and Gen Z who love a craft experience—the drink hits a sweet spot of being both vintage and refreshingly different.
Classic Hanky Panky Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz London Dry gin
- 1 ½ oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Fernet-Branca
Create
- Fill a mixing glass with ice
- Add gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca
- Stir until well chilled
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass
- Garnish with an orange twist
This simple three-ingredient recipe captures Ada Coleman’s original creation—a timeless balance of bold, bitter, and smooth.
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But beyond the glass, the Hanky Panky represents a milestone in hospitality history. Coleman wasn’t just a novelty behind the bar—she was a star mixologist who built a loyal following of celebrities, artists, and royals. She paved the way for generations of women to be seen not only as bartenders but as innovators and tastemakers in the cocktail world.
Today, the Hanky Panky enjoys a comeback in speakeasies, craft cocktail lounges, and even TikTok recipe videos. Young drinkers are rediscovering classic cocktails with personality, and this one delivers both flavor and a feminist backstory. Ordering it isn’t just about enjoying a drink—it’s about raising a glass to the woman who made history by refusing to be boxed in.
So next time you see a Hanky Panky on the menu, try one. You’ll be tasting more than just a cocktail—you’ll be celebrating Ada Coleman’s legacy, one sip at a time.
