Hanky Panky Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

When the weekend comes around, you might be in the mood for a little Hanky Panky or two.

Growing up, I loved The Love Boat. A sugary slice of escapism, the popular television show ran from 1977-1987, and it’s fair to say it was one of the programs I grew up on. Every week, a cadre of popular celebrities would embark on a cruise with a slightly wacky crew, find love and learn life lessons. Once, I asked my parents why it was—obviously—called “The Love Boat”, my father quickly said “because there’s a lot of hanky panky going on.”

So I began to wonder, what exactly is “hanky panky”? The most common definition is that a couple of people, maybe more, are attracted to each other and physically do something about it. Behind closed doors, hanky panky will ensue. If I get any more specific than that, it’ll defeat the purpose of that expression. Actually, though, that meaning didn’t really come about until 1939. Before that, the words were just a fun, non-sensical thing to say, akin to “hocus pocus” or “hokey pokey”.

In fact, tonight’s cocktail, which is called the Hanky Panky, takes its name directly from the expression. And at the time of its creation, around the early 1900s, it didn’t have a moniker yet. But when its inventor, London bartender Ada “Coley” Coleman, served it to legendary actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, he was said to have exclaimed upon his first sip, “By Jove! That is the real hanky-panky!”

And it has been called that ever since.

What Is Fernet-Branca?

This is an Italian brand of bitters, with a dark color and herbal, minty flavor. The recipe is a closely guarded secret, and is comprised of some twenty-seven spices, including rhubarb, aloe and saffron. Said to have been created as a treatment for cholera in 1845 by alchemist Bernardino Branca, it has since settled comfortably into life as a welcome after-dinner digestif.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Hanky Panky Cocktail?

You can have fun experimenting with different flavor profiles by using different styles of gin each time you mix one of these up. A London Dry will be crisp, and balanced with notes of juniper, herbs and lemon zest. Some gins are infused with ingredients like cucumber, stone fruit or seaside botanicals. Old Tom gin will be sweeter, while Plymouth gin is earthy, with hints of citrus. For the sweet vermouth, a bottle of Dolin or Carpano Antica Formula is all you’ll ever need.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Chill a long-stemmed coupe in your freezer for fifteen to thirty minutes before serving your cocktail. Garnish with an orange twist, and hold onto the stem. This will keep your drink from warming up too quickly.

WHAT IS A SWEET MARTINI?

A Sweet Martini is fairly close to tonight’s cocktail, but features a higher gin to sweet vermouth ratio, and no Fernet-Branca.

Similar Cocktails To The Hanky Panky

Gin and vermouth together tend to make a martini. But when gin and vermouth are combined with another element, you get something else entirely. Try some of these recipes out to see just how wide a range these spirits can have.

• Perfect Martini – Sweet and dry vermouth together craft a perfect sip.
• Negroni – Gin, sweet vermouth and Campari together make this classic elixir.
• Bobby Burns – Switch the gin for Scotch and add Bénédictine to make this poetic dram.
• Gin Martini – The original classic that never goes out of style.