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Harvey Wallbanger
Legions of pop-culture enthusiasts and cocktail lovers have pondered the origins of the Harvey Wallbanger. Read on and see what you think.
Like so many well known drinks there are a couple of theories about its history and origins.
Version 1
Bartender Bill Doner created it while a bartender at The Office in Newport Beach, California. Simple and believable.
Version 2 (and much more fun to tell):
In California a surfer named Harvey liked his screwdrivers spiked with Galliano. After a bad day, having lost an important surfing competition, he had one too many. Trying to leave the bar, Harvey stumbled into both furniture and the wall. Being a regular at this bar, and despite his performance, he returned and simply became known as "the Wallbanger."
Harvey Wallbanger recipe
1-1/2 oz. vodka
4 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. Galliano
Pour vodka and orange juice into a chilled Collins glass with several ice cubes and stir well. Top with Galliano float.
Full printer-friendly recipe for the Harvey Wallbanger here.
Recipes featuring Galliano
Although it contains many ingredients, vanilla is the most pronounced and important flavour in Galliano, a liqueur created by Arturo Vaccari in 1896. Its versatility as a "marrying" ingredient, hundreds of recipes involving Galliano are enjoyed around the world. Here are a few for you to enjoy:
The infamous Harvey Wallbanger cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box vanilla instant pudding
- 1/2 cup oil
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup Galliano liqueur
- 3/4 cup orange juice
When finished, you will end up topping the cake with either powdered sugar or a glaze made thusly:
- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon vodka
- 1 tablespoon Galliano
Mix cake mix, pudding, oil, eggs, vodka, Galliano, orange juice and beat for 4 minutes. Pour batter into greased and floured tube pan. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until tested done.
Either dust with powdered sugar or frost with the glaze.
(Thanks to Bedford McIntosh.)
Bar tip
- Galiano is the key ingredient of a Harvey Wallabanger. This vanilla-flavoured liqueur comes from Italy and is easily recognized by its unique long-necked clear bottle which allows its yellow color to shine through.
More about Galliano »
- The key to a Harvey Wallbanger is floating the Galliano.
Learn how to float (and layer) a drink »
