The Hanky-Panky Cocktail Recipe |
St. Paul’s Cathedral (photo by Carolina Jimenez-Garcia, courtesy of morguefile.com)
Our friend and spirits expert Gary Regan has proved once again that he’s willing to travel far and wide for great cocktails, whether they be newly created or venerable classics. Gary recently made a trip to London, capital of the country of his birth and boyhood. He was there for the London Bar Show and writes, “It's a good time to be there. Parties tend to spring up out of nowhere, and it's not unusual to find three or four of the world's best bartenders making drinks for the crowd at someone or other's apartment.”
During the party Gary engaged Peter Dorelli, legendary head bartender emeritus at London's famed Savoy Hotel. The topic was the Hanky-Panky Cocktail, created at the Savoy for Edwardian actor Charles Hawtrey in the early 20th Century. Gary informs that the creator was “Ada Coleman, a woman who had Peter's job at the Savoy before he was a twinkle in his father's eye.” The actor had challenged Ada to come up with a drink just for him and after a taste of the new concoction he happily declared, “"By Jove! That is the real hanky-panky!" Gary was able to win a small wager with Peter by correctly identifying Fernet Branca as a key ingredient, which just happens to be one of our friend's favorite liqueurs.
London is not known for its sunny weather, but the simple Hanky-Panky Cocktail is sure to leave you with a sunny disposition.
Ingredients for 1 Cocktail
• 1 1/2 Ounces gin
• 1 1/2 Ounces sweet vermouth
• 2 Dashes Fernet Branca
• 1 Orange twist, as garnish
Preparation
1. Fill a mixing glass two-thirds full of ice, and add gin, vermouth and Fernet Branca.
2. Stir for approximately 30 seconds, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add the garnish.
If you’d like to purchase Gary’s newest display of wit, charm & knowledge go to: the bartender's GIN compendium
If you’d like to purchase the book on spirits & cocktails that Gary Regan calls, “My Baby” go to: The Joy of Mixology: The Consummate Guide to the Bartender's Craft
If you’d like to purchase a terrific bartender’s guide authored by Gary's partner Mardee go to: The Bartender's Best Friend: A Complete Guide to Cocktails, Martinis, and Mixed Drinks
To visit Gary and Mardee’s wonderful web site and sign up for their very witty newsletter go to: Ardent Spirits
