World Hanky Panky Day is a new celebration set for 25 March 2026, dedicated to the iconic Hanky Panky cocktail and its creator, Ada Coleman. This event highlights her legacy as one of the first female head bartenders at The Savoy's American Bar and her contributions to cocktail culture.
Key details:
- Date: 25 March 2026, during International Women's Month.
- Purpose: To honour Ada Coleman and support women in hospitality.
- Collaboration: Asterley Bros, Cygnet Gin, and Celebrate Her.
- Events: Special serves at top UK bars like The Savoy's American Bar, Raffles Spy Bar, and more.
- Signature Cocktail: The "Truly British Hanky Panky", made with 100% UK-sourced ingredients.
Whether you’re mixing at home or visiting a participating bar, this day celebrates history, craftsmanship, and progress in the cocktail world.
Hanky Panky Recipe: A Historic Cocktail Created by Ada Coleman 🍸🕰️ | MIX Cocktail Hour
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The History of the Hanky Panky Cocktail
Ada Coleman's Legacy: From The Savoy to World Hanky Panky Day Timeline
Ada Coleman: A Trailblazing Bartender
Ada "Coley" Coleman (1875–1966) carved out her place in history as the head bartender at The Savoy's American Bar in 1903, achieving the position at just 24 years old. Over her 23-year tenure, she served an astonishing 100,000 customers and poured an estimated 1,000,000 drinks. This was an extraordinary accomplishment at a time when fewer than half of London's bartenders were women, and most of them worked in modest pubs rather than prestigious hotel bars.
Coleman’s patrons included an impressive roster of early 20th-century luminaries, such as Mark Twain, Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin, and the Prince of Wales. The Earl of Lonsdale, a frequent visitor, once described her as "so nice and so kind and so full of life and energy." Despite her success, after she left the American Bar in 1926, it would take another 91 years before another woman held the position of head bartender at The Savoy, finally happening in 2017.
Her creativity and flair behind the bar naturally led to the invention of a cocktail that would stand the test of time.
The Birth of the Hanky Panky
During her illustrious career, Coleman channelled her ingenuity into creating a cocktail that would become her signature. The story behind the Hanky Panky begins with Sir Charles Hawtrey, a well-known comedic actor and regular at the bar. One evening, drained from his work, he requested a drink that would "give him a punch".
Coleman spent hours experimenting with different ingredients until she landed on a refined mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca - a bitter Italian amaro. This addition transformed a standard sweet martini into something entirely new. When Coleman presented the drink to Hawtrey, he exclaimed, "By Jove! That is the real hanky-panky!" The name stuck. Interestingly, in Victorian England, "hanky panky" originally referred to magic or trickery, rather than its more modern interpretations.
The cocktail’s fame grew when Harry Craddock, Coleman's successor, included the recipe in the 1930 edition of The Savoy Cocktail Book. By 2015, the Hanky Panky had earned its place among the top 50 best-selling classic cocktails according to Drinks International, and it is now listed by the International Bartenders Association as one of "The Unforgettables."
How to Celebrate World Hanky Panky Day
Making the British Hanky Panky at Home
The Truly British Hanky Panky offers a modern spin on Ada Coleman's classic cocktail, using ingredients sourced entirely from the UK. To make this at home, you’ll need just three ingredients, along with a mixing glass, a barspoon, a strainer, and a chilled coupe or martini glass.
Here’s the recipe: combine 40ml Cygnet 22 Welsh Dry Gin, 40ml Asterley Bros Estate Sweet Vermouth, and 7ml Asterley Bros Britannica London Fernet. Stir the mixture with ice for 20–30 seconds (shaking is a no-go here), then strain it into your pre-chilled glass. Finish it off with an orange peel garnish, making sure to express the citrus oils along the rim for that extra aromatic touch.
"With Asterley Bros' Britannica Fernet it's finally possible to serve up a 100% British expression for the very first time."
– Robert and Jim Berry, Founders, Asterley Bros
The final cocktail comes in at around 24% ABV, with roughly 179 calories per serving. One tip: store your sweet vermouth in the fridge after opening - it’ll stay fresh for up to three months. If you’d rather not play bartender, you can always enjoy this British twist at select venues across the UK.
Participating Bars and Events
For those who prefer to leave the mixing to the experts, there are plenty of options to celebrate out and about. March 2026 marks the very first World Hanky Panky Day, with special serves available at some of the UK’s most iconic bars. Venues include The Savoy's American Bar - where Ada Coleman originally created the cocktail - alongside Raffles Spy Bar, Adam Handling's Eve Bar, and Cato. Each bar will offer the Truly British Hanky Panky while also showcasing their own unique takes on the classic.
To find the full list of participating bars and event details, head to worldhankypankyday.com or follow @worldhankypankyday on Instagram for live updates. Whether you’re sipping a cocktail at a historic bar or crafting one in your own kitchen, the day is a celebration of the women who have left their mark on the world of hospitality.
The Collaboration Behind World Hanky Panky Day
Asterley Bros and Celebrate Her
World Hanky Panky Day celebrates the trailblazing legacy of Ada Coleman through a partnership between Asterley Bros, Celebrate Her, and Cygnet Gin. Officially launched in March 2026, this initiative not only honours Coleman’s contributions but also aims to inspire and uplift the next generation of female bartenders.
Anna Sebastian, the founder of Celebrate Her, brings a deeply personal touch to this collaboration. Having worked as a bartender at The Savoy's American Bar - where Ada Coleman made history from 1903 to 1926 - Sebastian's connection to this iconic venue adds depth to the celebration. Cygnet Gin further strengthens the effort by promoting female leadership within the spirits industry.
British Craftsmanship in Every Sip
A defining feature of this collaboration is its focus on showcasing British craftsmanship. For the first time, the Hanky Panky cocktail has been recreated using only UK-produced spirits. The "Truly British Hanky Panky" features Cygnet 22 Welsh Dry Gin, Asterley Bros Estate Sweet Vermouth, and Asterley Bros Britannica London Fernet. Each ingredient not only highlights exceptional quality but also supports local producers.
Robert and Jim Berry, the founders of Asterley Bros, emphasise the importance of this achievement:
"This iconic cocktail is a symbol of inclusion and diversity in the global bar scene, and one that underlines the huge contribution made by female bartenders... with Asterley Bros' Britannica Fernet it's finally possible to serve up a 100% British expression for the very first time." – Robert and Jim Berry, Founders, Asterley Bros
This unique blend of tradition and modernity perfectly captures the essence of World Hanky Panky Day, celebrating both its historical roots and its forward-looking vision.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
World Hanky Panky Day is a tribute to history, craftsmanship, and progress. Set to debut on 25 March 2026, this celebration honours Ada Coleman and her influential role in shaping cocktail culture.
Blending tradition with modern British excellence, the event emphasises homegrown talent and supports aspiring female bartenders. The "Truly British Hanky Panky" cocktail, crafted entirely with UK-sourced ingredients, symbolises this unique collaboration, showcasing the best of British spirits.
The date, falling within Women's History Month, adds deeper meaning by addressing historical imbalances and spotlighting Celebrate Her's mentorship programmes, which nurture the next wave of female bartenders.
Whether you're crafting the cocktail at home with Asterley Bros spirits or enjoying it at iconic venues like The Savoy's American Bar, Raffles Spy Bar, or Adam Handling's Eve Bar, you're part of a movement that honours heritage while inspiring future innovation in mixology. This celebration connects the past with the present, paving the way for new creativity in the cocktail world.
FAQs
Why is World Hanky Panky Day on 25 March?
World Hanky Panky Day, celebrated on 25 March, honours the Hanky Panky cocktail, its legendary creator Ada Coleman, and the drink's place in cocktail history. This date is no coincidence - it ties in with International Women's Month, shining a light on the pivotal role women have played in shaping the world of mixology and cocktail culture.
How does World Hanky Panky Day support women in hospitality?
World Hanky Panky Day shines a spotlight on the achievements of women in the hospitality industry, paying tribute to female bartenders and their invaluable contributions. The event is inspired by Ada Coleman, the legendary creator of the Hanky Panky cocktail, and is held during Women’s History Month to honour her legacy and the broader impact of women in the drinks industry.
This celebration not only acknowledges the creativity and skill of women bartenders but also advocates for gender equality within the hospitality sector. Partnerships with initiatives like Celebrate Her focus on empowering women in the field and raising awareness about the essential roles they play in shaping the industry.
Can I celebrate World Hanky Panky Day outside the UK?
Yes, World Hanky Panky Day is celebrated worldwide, meaning you can join in from wherever you are. It takes place every year on 25 March, paying tribute to the iconic Hanky Panky cocktail and its storied history.