Ol' Blue Eyes In A Glass -- The Frank Sinatra
Old School Colonial Style -- The St. Augustine

Misbehaving And Messing Around -- The Hanky Panky

Tasting some forbidden fruit?  Thinking about doing something you probably shouldn't?  Regardless of the answers, the Hanky Panky might be for you. The term dates back to the mid 19th century, and the cocktail is from the 1920s. Ada Coleman, a bartender at the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London (see London Calling), created it for one of her loyal patrons.

Hanky Panky1.5 ounces gin (I used The Botanist)
1.5 ounces sweet vermouth (I love Carpano Antica)
2 dashes Fernet Branca

Combine in a mixing glass with ice, stir with desire, and strain into a chilled glass.  Orange peel garnish optional.

The Hanky Panky has the distinction of being the first gin cocktail in the Den. The sweet vermouth and Fernet Branca act as counterpoints to the gin, so the result is a nicely balanced drink. When using Fernet Branca, remember less is more. Its distinctive taste easily can overwhelm a cocktail.

Modern definitions vary slightly, but the term frequently arises (pun intended) in a sexual context, e.g. the 1966 song "Hanky Panky" by Tommy James and the Shondells.  You may notice a recurring theme with certain cocktails in the Den, e.g.  the Hanky Panky, the Between the Sheets, the Passion, and the Intense Ginger Sutra.  Infer as you like.

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Charles Hall

This one sounds very interesting!!

Sherri

Hi Josh, what is the taste of Fernet Branca?

Wulf Cocktail Den

Apologies for the delay in responding. To me Fernet Branca has a sharp menthol taste. A little bit goes a long way.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)