History & Heritage
“The Perfect Hanky Panky builds upon Ada "Coley" Coleman's legendary creation at the Savoy Hotel's American Bar. By employing the "perfect" technique of splitting the vermouth between sweet and dry styles, this variation achieves greater complexity and balance than the original's full sweet vermouth approach. This adaptation reflects the modern craft cocktail movement's appreciation for nuanced flavors while honoring the drink's heritage as one of history's great bartender innovations.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass thoroughly
Combine gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and Fernet-Branca in a mixing glass
Fill with high-quality ice
Stir briskly for 15-25 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted
Strain into the chilled glass
Express oils from orange peel over the surface and drop in
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass
Garnish
Express oils from fresh orange peel over the surface
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use high-quality vermouths and store them refrigerated
Express fresh orange peel for aromatic oils
Chill glassware thoroughly for proper presentation
Don't be heavy-handed with Fernet-Branca - a little goes a long way
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Perfect Hanky Panky.
Classic Hanky Panky
The original with 1.5 oz gin, 1.5 oz sweet vermouth, and two dashes of Fernet-Branca.
Changes
Drier Perfect Hanky Panky
More gin-forward with a 2:1 ratio of gin to total vermouth.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Perfect Martini
Not just a well-made cocktail, but a specific variation that bridges Sweet and Dry Martinis with equal parts of both vermouths, creating sophisticated balance and complexity.
Bittered Hanky Panky
A bold evolution of the classic Hanky Panky with increased Fernet-Branca—gin, sweet vermouth, and pronounced herbal bitterness for adventurous palates.
Hanky Panky
Ada Coleman's famous Savoy creation blending gin, sweet vermouth, and a hint of Fernet-Branca.