Creative, charismatic, and iconic - just a few words used to describe Ada Coleman, the first female Head Bartender here at The Savoy. Coleman was known for her inventive concoctions as well as the charm with which she served them. She became one of the most pivotal figures in the bartending world because of her success in such a male dominated industry.  She spearheaded the way for female bartenders and her legacy lives on today.

Coleman’s initial entry into the bartending space was through her first job at Claridges. With her father being a steward at Rupert D’Oyly Carte’s golf clubs, the family who owned the renowned Savoy Group of restaurants and hotels, D’Oyly Carte offered Coleman a job at the bar in Claridges. This is where she made her first cocktail, a Manhattan, in 1899. She developed her bartending skills during her time at Claridges before moving to The Savoy as Head Bartender in 1903.

During her position as Head Bartender, she would make drinks for the eclectic mix of Savoy guests. From royalty to celebs to political figures, Coleman delighted with her mixology and charisma. There was one instance where a regular guest, the actor and comedian Charles Hawtrey, requested something with a bit of punch in it and in response, Coleman combined gin with some sweet vermouth, added a couple of dashes of Fernet-Branca before garnishing with an orange twist. Charles Hawtrey drained the glass before allegedly pronouncing ‘by jove! That is the real hanky-panky’. The name stuck and since then the cocktail has been known as the Hanky Panky. The original recipe for the iconic drink has stood the test of time partly due to its inclusion in Harry Craddock’s 1930 “The Savoy Cocktail Book”. Craddock, Ada Coleman’s successor, documented numerous drinks that he created and served during his tenure as Head Bartender at The Savoy and Coleman’s Hanky Panky also made the cut. Coleman remained at The Savoy as Head Bartender for 23 years and her legacy has lived on through her Hanky Panky cocktail and the work she did for women in the industry. The Hanky Panky is still served in the American Bar today to the original recipe using vintage gin, vintage sweet vermouth, and vintage Fernet Branca.