Classic Cocktails & Drinks With A Funky Twist

Hanky Panky

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Posted: 06/02/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

The Hanky Panky is a sweet gin martini known for its charming and complex flavor. Starring Fernet-Branca, the Italian bitter, its intriguing flavor combines with gin and sweet vermouth to create a cocktail that you must try. The ultimate “bittersweet” slow sipper, this balanced drink is easy to make at home and sure to impress your tastebuds.

Two glasses of Hanky Panky cocktail recipe garnished with an orange peel

The herbal notes of the Fernet-Branca are complimented by botanical gin and sweet vermouth to create a sophisticated cocktail with a fun name. Originating back to the 1920s, the Hanky Panky cocktail was created by famous bartender Ada Coleman.

Hanky Panky Recipe

The Hanky Panky recipe contains only three ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces Vermouth
  • 1 1/2 ounces Gin
  • 2 dashes Fernet-Branca. A little goes a long way with bitters, so two dashes is the perfect amount of flavor without being too overbearing. Try it in this Fernadido recipe (LINK!!)

What is Fernet?

Fernet is a popular Italian bitter or Amaro with a strong flavor of black licorice and herbs. This unique and bitter liqueur is an acquired taste that can be enjoyed straight, stirred into coffee or cola, or in cocktails such as this Hanky Panky.

man's hand pouring cocktail shaker of Hanky Panky ingredients into a coupe glass next to a orange peel garnish

How to Make a Hanky Panky

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use a mason jar with lid.
  2. Add vermouth, gin, and the Fernet-Branca to the shaker.
  3. Give it a good shake until ingredients are chilled and well combined.
  4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  5. Garnish and enjoy.

How to Serve

Serve your Hanky Panky cocktail in a coupe glass or glass tumbler. Garnish with a fresh orange twist or ribbon and enjoy. To make an orange ribbon, simply cut a piece of peel from an orange about an inch wide and place it on the rim of your glass like the picture below.

Other Classic Cocktails

Two glasses of Hanky Panky cocktail recipe garnished with an orange peel
Two glasses of Hanky Panky cocktail recipe garnished with an orange peel
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Hanky Panky

Serves: 1 cocktail
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 4 minutes
Total: 4 minutes
The Hanky Panky is a sweet gin martini known for its charming and bittersweet flavor. Starring Fernet-Branca, its intriguing flavor combines with gin and sweet vermouth to create a cocktail that you must try.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces Sweet Red Vermouth
  • 1 1/2 ounces Gin
  • 2 dashes Fernet-Branca

Instructions

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Pour into the shaker vermouth, gin and the Fernet-Branca.
  • Shake.
  • Strain into an ice filled glass.
  • Garnish and enjoy.
Author: Nathan Longley
Course: Drinks
Two glasses of Hanky Panky cocktail recipe garnished with an orange peel

Did You Make This

Hanky Panky

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @shakedrinkrpt and hashtag it #shakedrinkrepeat!

Nathan Longley has been his wife’s personal bar tender for as long as he can remember. While he most often enjoys a cold beer, he is known to love our vodka gimlet.

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