Hanky Panky Cocktail

Name: Hanky Panky Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz gin; 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth; 1/2 teaspoon Fernet-Branca; For the garnish: Orange twist

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The Hanky Panky cocktail is a sophisticated, boozy cocktail with gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca. Here’s how to make the classic recipe!

Here’s a sophisticated cocktail that will have all your friends talking about it: the Hanky Panky cocktail! It’s complex and nuanced, with a smooth flavor perfect for sipping. The star here is Fernet-Branca, an Italian bitter that adds an herbal punch.

The cocktail is perfectly balanced: a little sweet and a little bitter, which makes it irresistible. Here’s how to make it, and a little more about the origin of the name. Because, what’s more fun than ordering a “Hanky Panky”?

What’s a Hanky Panky Cocktail?

The Hanky Panky cocktail is a sweet gin martini, balanced between sweet, bitter and herbal flavors. It’s like the gin version of a Toronto, which is made with whiskey. Personally I prefer the Hanky Panky to the Toronto; I find it easier to drink (and I’m partial to gin cocktails). It’s on the list of International Bartenders Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning it has an official definition. Here’s what’s in a Hanky Panky cocktail:

Gin: Use a dry gin here, nothing too floral. I like Malfy Originale gin.
Sweet vermouth: The sweet red vermouth adds a roundness to the flavor.
Fernet-Branca: This is the key ingredient in a Hanky Panky; see below for more about this bitter liqueur.
Orange twist: This is the traditional garnish.

The Story Behind the Name

There are so many intriguing cocktail names, like the French 75, Tom Collins, Greyhound, Salty Dog, and Toronto. If you’re anything like me, you want to know the back story! I researched and found the Hanky Panky cocktail was invented by a famous woman bartender in the early 1900s named Ada Coleman, known as “Coley.”

Coley worked at the American Bar in London’s Savoy Hotel. She invented this cocktail for a famous actor. Apparently when he first tasted it, he exclaimed “By Jove! That is the real hanky panky!” This is a very 1920’s way of saying, “Dang, this drink is good.”

More About Fernet-Branca

It’s absolutely worth grabbing a bottle of Fernet-Branca for this Hanky Panky cocktail. Fernet-Branca is an Italian amaro, a bitter liqueur made with a mix of herbs and spices. It has a higher alcohol content than most bitters at 39% ABV. You can use a splash in cocktails of all kinds, stir it into a soda, or even drink it straight (as bartenders do).

Fernet is quite the trend in bars right now, and adds intrigue to any drink, with a bitter, sweet, and herbaceous flavor all at once. You can use it to make other Fernet Branca cocktails like a Toronto or Fernet Sour.

How to pronounce it? It’s Italian, so you say “Fair-net brahn-ka”. Resist the temptation to make it French and say Fair-nay.

How To Make An Orange Twist

The Hanky Panky is garnished with an orange twist. But how to make it? I’m terrible at cute little garnishes, but that’s where Alex comes in! He figured out a way to make a citrus twist garnish using no special tools. The method was developed for a lemon twist, but it works for oranges too. Head to How to Make a Lemon Twist.

Substitutions and Variations

Fernet-Branca: You can use another bitter amaro to get you close. A good option is Cynar or Averna, but you could also use other options in my 15 Amaro Cocktails to Try post.
Use different base spirit: Using bourbon or rye whiskey makes it close to a Toronto.
Adjust the sweetness: If you’d like it less sweet, use slightly less sweet vermouth.

When To Serve It

The Hanky Panky cocktail is a sophisticated and complex gin cocktail. It’s perfect for sipping as a:

Happy hour drink
Dinner party drink
Late night drinks drink
Guys or girls night drink
Cocktail hour drink

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Hanky Panky cocktail taste like?

It tastes very dry and boozy, with botanical notes from the gin, fruity sweetness from the vermouth, and a bitter finish from the Fernet-Branca.

Can I use a different amaro instead of Fernet-Branca?

You can if you like, it will just taste slightly different. Try Averna or Cynar as a starting point.

What does “hanky panky” actually mean?

It’s originally a British expression for something like “funny business.” There’s also a romantic connotation to this phrase, but that came later.

How strong is a Hanky Panky cocktail?

It lands around 22 to 25% ABV, so it’s similar to a Manhattan or Negroni. Remember to drink responsibly.