Legend has it that this dry and witty cocktail was concocted in London by the Savoy Hotel’s head bartender Ada Coleman, or Coley, as she was known by her patrons. London papers reported that in the mid-1920s, silent film actor Sir Charles Hawtrey requested Coley make a drink just for him, which she did, and which Hawtrey dubbed “the real hanky panky.” And no, he wasn’t being suggestive. In those days, “hanky panky” meant “hocus pocus.” He was complimenting her on her magic concoction.
This perfectly sophisticated cocktail will impress your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day with its depth of flavor and cheeky history.
Ingredients
1 ½ ounces gin
1 ½ ounces sweet vermouth
2 dashes Fernet-Branca
orange twist to garnish
Directions
Add gin, sweet vermouth and Fernet-Branca to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice and stir or shake until chilled.
Pour into a cocktail glass. Pinch the orange peel to express its oils into the glass and add the peel to the glass for garnish.