This Hanky Panky Cocktail is also sometimes called the Fernet-Branca Cocktail, but whatever you call it, you need to make it! It's so easy and so good!
Classic Gin Cocktails
I'm back again, continuing to work my way through some classic gin cocktails. It has been such an eye opening experience.
We started our classic journey with a White Lady Cocktail, which is gin, Cointreau and lemon juice.
Then we tried the Southside Cocktail, which is gin, simple syrup, mint, and lemon juice.
Earlier in the week, I shared The Last Word, which is gin, Chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur and lime juice.
What they all have in common is that they are easy, have few ingredients and are delicious! These are all going into regular rotation at our house, as is today's cocktail the Hanky Panky Cocktail.
Ingredients in the Hanky Panky Recipe:
Fernet-Branca - this is an herby liqueur from Italy. It contains 27 secret ingredients that give it a complex flavor that manages to be both sweet and bitter at the same time. We plan on working our way through some Fermet-Branca cocktails in the near future.
Gin - we used a London dry gin.
Sweet Vermouth - you want a sweet vermouth, not a dry vermouth. Vermouths are really interesting on their own and if you'd like to learn more, this article on Understanding the Difference Between Sweet and Dry Vermouths is really interesting.
Orange twist - for garnish.
This cocktail is crazy easy to make. Fill a mixing glass half way with ice. Then add the Fernet-Branca, the gin and the sweet vermouth. Stir for about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
It is typically served in a coupe glass.
Garnish with an orange twist.
Sit back and enjoy your cocktail!
This easy cocktail is so good! It tastes complex and only you have to know that it only has 3 ingredients! It's such to impress your guests. It's dark color makes it a great fall or winter cocktail, but we will be sipping this year round!
More Dark and Sexy Cocktails:
Eeyore's Requiem - another sexy gin cocktail that uses Fernet-Branca.
Créme de Violette Cocktail - a deep purple hue with sparkling bubbles. What's not to love?
Negroni Sbagliato - deep red and bubbly.
Chocolate Coffee Martini - after dinner dessert, cocktail and coffee all in one. My favorite multi-tasker.
For even more cocktails, be sure and follow my Drinks Board on Pinterest!
Hanky Panky Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces London Dry Gin
- 1 ½ ounces Sweet Vermouth
- ¼ ounce Fernet-Branca
- Orange Twist for garnish.
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass halfway full of ice.
- Add gin, vermouth and Fernet-Branca to the glass.
- Stir for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Irina says
I am making a lit of alcohol I need to buy in order to make this Hanky Panky Cocktail! It sounds interesting and worth making! Thanks for sharing!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
traci says
What a beautiful cocktail! Love the use of Fernet-Branca...nice touch!
Pam Greer says
Thank you!
Lisa Bryan says
This cocktail looks perfect for a Friday night! Love the complexity yet simplicity of it.
Pam Greer says
Thank you!
Suzy says
This is the first time I've heard of this drink we absolutely love using vermouth! Trying this ASAP!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Emmeline says
Oh interesting! I never had a proper cocktail with fernet but had *TOO* much of it straight up or with just coke. This might be the way to get me to drink it again haha!
Pam Greer says
Yes, you definitely need to give it a try!