Hanky Panky

To celebrate this naughty and nice puzzle box we need something equal to the task, with roots in the past but with a modern refresh – the “Hanky-Panky”.  At the turn of the century, The American Bar in the Savoy hotel was a famous place to get a drink in London.  The English actor Sir Charles Hawtry would often ask the bar manager, Ada Coleman, for something with “a bit of punch in it”.  She is credited with inventing for him a version of the sweet martini with the addition of Fernet Branca, a bracing Italian amaro introduced in 1845 and famous ever since for its intense bitterness.  Made from a secret recipe of 27 herbs and plants, Fernet Branca is a popular digestive and not for the faint of heart when taken neat, but it’s found in many mixed cocktails.  For example, it’s extremely popular in Argentina mixed with Coca-Cola.  

The Hanky Panky by Ada Coleman circa 1900

Getting back to the American Bar, sometime around 1900, Coleman served Hawtry her new concoction.  He famously exclaimed, “By Jove! That is the real Hanky-Panky!”  A modern refresh to this classic cocktail adds a bit a fresh orange juice, which helps balance the bitter Fernet and improves the original.  So whether you want the real “Hanky-Panky” or you’re more modern, go get mixed up in some hanky-panky yourself, or just mix one up - and get puzzling.  Cheers!

A Little Hanky Panky going on here …

Hanky Panky by Ada Coleman c. 1900

1 1/2 oz gin

1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth

2 dashes Fernet Branca

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Orange twist garnish.