Asterley Bros, Celebrate Her & Cygnet Gin Come Together To Pay Tribute To Ada Coleman Who Created The Cocktail At The Savoy In The Early 1900s
This March, coinciding with International Women’s month, global drinks industry community Celebrate Her has teamed up with Asterley Bros English Vermouth and Cygnet Gin to showcase one of the most iconic cocktails in history. Collaborating with today’s most inspirational bartending teams, including notable and emerging female bartenders, this exciting new national day will see Hanky Panky serves celebrated and showcased at some of the UK’s most respected bars, from The Savoy’s American Bar and Raffles Spy Bar to Adam Handling’s Eve Bar and the newly opened Cato.
Created in the 1900s by Ada Coleman, Head Bartender at The Savoy’s American Bar and one of the first female bartenders in London, The Hanky Panky has stood the test of time thanks to its intriguing mix of flavours and its iconic conception, steeped in cocktail history. A mix of equal parts gin and sweet vermouth, with a small amount of Fernet for its signature bitter kick and garnished with an orange twist to balance the flavors, Coleman made the drink for actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, who, upon trying it exclaimed “By Jove! That’s the real hanky-panky!”
Over a hundred years on, the cocktail, which was included in The Savoy Cocktail Book is still a mainstay of cocktail bars across the world and Ada Coleman, who held her position at The American Bar until 1936 is still revered as an icon within the drinks industry, especially by a new generation of female bartenders. The beating heart of this new group of trailblazing female bar talent is Celebrate Her, a global community that provides visibility and support for women in the hospitality drinks industry.
In order to mark Ada’s legacy and champion a truly British Hanky Panky, Celebrate Her has teamed up with English producers, Asterley Bros, and their Britannica Fernet and Estate Vermouth as well as Cygnet 22 Welsh Dry Gin founded by Katherine Jenkins.
Robert and Jim Berry of Asterley Bros say: “This iconic cocktail, born and raised in the Capital much like Asterley Bros, is a symbol of inclusion and diversity in the global bar scene, and one that underlines the huge contribution made by female bartenders. We love the layers of complexity and symbolism in the Hanky Panky and with Asterley Bros’ Britannica Fernet it’s finally possible to serve up a 100% British expression for the very first time.
Cygnet Gin founder Katherine Jenkins says: “I’m thrilled that Cygnet is part of celebrating the incredible women who’ve shaped cocktail culture. As a female founder in spirits, I know how important it is to honour the women who paved the way and those leading the industry today. Creating Cygnet was about demanding better – uncompromising standards in every bottle. Let’s raise a glass to craft, legacy, and the women who continue to push boundaries. Iechyd da!”
Anna Sebastian, founder of Celebrate Her and Anna Sebastian Hospitality, started her hospitality career at The Savoy in 2010 in the American Bar before going on to set up Celebrate Her, a global community that aims to grow and develop women in the industry via community, education and mentorship.
She says “It is such a full circle moment to be able to be part of World Hanky Panky Day. Having started my career at the American Bar, Ada Coleman truly led and paved the way for me and many women in the drinks industry. So while this is a nod to the past, it really is a look towards the future of women in the drinks industry. World Hanky Panky Day is the perfect way to celebrate and raise a toast.”
To make the Hanky Panky, please see the official World Hanky Panky Day recipe below: The Truly British Hanky Panky
- 40ml Cygnet 22 Welsh Dry Gin
- 40ml Asterley Bros Estate Sweet Vermouth
- 7ml Asterley Bros Britannica London Fernet
Garnish with an expressed orange coin and serve in a chilled martini or coupe glass.
For details on participating bars and Hanky Panky serves, visit the official website www.worldhankypankyday.com or follow on instagram @worldhankypankyday