Ada Coleman, or just ”Coley” as she was known by her friends and customers, was a true bartender legend. As head bartender at the American Bar at the Savoy in London between 1903 and 1926 she created and served cocktails to the likes of Mark Twain and the Prince of Wales.

A comedic actor called Charles Hawtrey was a regular at the bar during the 1920s and he frequently asked Mrs Coleman for new cocktails with a bit of punch in them. After some experimentation she came up with a cocktail she wanted him to try. Draining the glass Mr Hawtrey exclaimed “By Jove! This is the real hanky-panky!” and the name stuck. At the time hanky-panky meant ‘magic’ or ‘witchcraft’.

The Hanky Panky is quite similar to its predecessor the Martinez but instead of Maraschino and bitters Coleman used Fernet Branca.

In 1926 the Savoy decided to install an American as head bartender at the American Barand picked Harry Craddock, a legend in the making, who was already working the bar, while Ada Coleman retired to the hotel’s flower shop. Craddock was actually an englishman who emigrated to New York in 1897 but returned to England with an American accent as soon as Prohibition hit the US.

Mr Craddock went on to make the influential Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930 and creating classics such as the White Lady and the Corpse Reviver No 2.

The cocktail coupe is called Bon Bon and was designed by Helle Mardahl in 2020.

Hanky Panky

1 part Sweet Vermouth
1 part Gin
1 barspoon Fernet Branca
1 Orange twist

Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice. Strain into chilled glass and garnish with an orange twist.

Enjoy the magic of Ada Coleman.