The Hanky Panky: the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail.

We asked our mixologist friends Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller of Mixellany to come up with the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail. This is it.

“Thanksgiving is a time of traditions and classics, and there’s no better classic cocktail for the day than the Hanky Panky.” says Jared.

“Created by Ada Coleman, head bartender of The Savoy’s American bar in the ‘10s and ‘20s, it is a fusion of cocktail, aperitif and digestif -- the perfect drink to pair with a heavy meal.

It was made for and named by actor Charles Hawtrey, who arrived late one evening and asked for “something with a bit of punch in it.” When he tasted the drink, he remarked, “By Jove, that is the real hanky panky!”

Hanky Panky

40ml London dry gin (we use Sipsmith)

40ml sweet vermouth

2 generous dashes Fernet Branca

Combine ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker (this drink may also be stirred if you prefer). Shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

The image of a Hanky Panky though not specifically Jared and Anistasia’s is © Brent Hofacker at shutterstock.com

If you’d like be able to check out all the food and wine pairings on the site you can buy a bundle of credits here to access my premium content.

And/or for regular updates on what and where I’ve been eating, drinking and travelling sign up for my weekly newsletter Eat This, Drink That, Live Well.

You may also enjoy …

The Ivy Gin and Fevertree clementine tonicRoquefort and LagavulinOysters and a Half Shell Gin martini