The Harvey Wallbanger is a cocktail with vodka, Galliano liqueur, and orange juice.
A twist on the classic screwdriver, this mixed drink gained popularity across the United States during the 1970s.
With its combo of flavors and a fascinating history, this cocktail has secured its place in the annals of cocktail culture.
Harvey Wallbanger History
The Harvey Wallbanger cocktail emerged in 1969, spearheaded by a marketing campaign from McKesson Imports Company, the importer of Galliano liqueur. The campaign, led by McKesson’s marketing director George Bednar, aimed to boost Galliano sales. Bednar, credited with coining the catchy slogan “Harvey Wallbanger is the name. And I can be made!”, enlisted graphic artist William J. “Bill” Young from Lima, New York, to create a surfer cartoon character for the ads. This character featured in various promotions throughout the late 1960s and into the 1970s.
The cocktail’s recipe is attributed to Donato “Duke” Antone, a renowned mixologist based in Hartford, Connecticut, where he operated a bartending school and provided cocktail consultancy. However, there’s uncertainty regarding Antone’s specific role: whether he concocted the drink specifically for Galliano or simply rebranded an existing recipe, which his grandson suggests was originally called “Duke’s Screwdriver.”
A less credible tale claims Antone invented the drink in 1952 at the Blackwatch Bar in Los Angeles, named after a regular surfer patron. This story is widely dismissed due to inconsistencies, notably Antone’s presence in Hartford during that period and the lack of any evidence supporting the Blackwatch Bar’s existence. Spirits writer Robert Simonson even asserts that “no sane person ever believed that story.”
Harvey Wallbanger Ingredients
For the Harvey Wallbanger:
- 45 ml (1 1/2 ounces) of vodka
- 120 ml (4 ounces) of orange juice
- 15 ml (1/2 ounce) of Galliano liqueur
Harvey Wallbanger Recipe
Step 1: The Chilled Highball Glass
- Start by chilling a highball glass. You can do this by filling the glass with ice and letting it sit while you prepare the cocktail.
Step 2: The Cocktail Shaker
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces (45 ml) of vodka: The vodka serves as the base spirit for the cocktail.
- 4 ounces (120 ml) of orange juice: The star of the show, providing the cocktail’s refreshing citrus character.
Step 3: The Shake
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake the mixture vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. The goal is to chill the ingredients thoroughly.
Step 4: The Pour
- Discard the ice from the chilled highball glass and strain the Harvey Wallbanger into the glass.
Step 5: The Galliano Float
- To complete the drink, carefully pour 1/2 ounce (15 ml) of Galliano liqueur over the back of a spoon so that it forms a floating layer on top of the cocktail.
The Harvey Wallbanger is a journey through time and taste. Making this drink allows you to relish the blend of vodka, orange juice, and Galliano liqueur, and experience a touch of nostalgia for a bygone era.
Check out some more great vodka cocktial recipes.
