The Harvey Wallbanger is a Cocktail for Surfer Dudes & Disco Darlings

11 Jan 2011
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Harvey Wallbanger

Harvey Wallbanger. It sounds like some sort of slacker dude, and in a way maybe it is. But for our purposes here I’ll say that it is an alcoholic drink or cocktail made with vodka, Galliano and orange juice. It has a murky pedigree, as do so many classic libations.

Still, we know that it’s one of the original party drinks of the 1970s. It’s also true that they are easy to make and even easier to drink.

There's nothing simple about its history and its place in the world of alcoholic beverages. This drink has a convoluted past. Marketing professionals got involved in promoting Harvey Wallbangers hard in the 1970s. And that’s probably where the misinformation began.

According to legend, the drink was named after a 1950s era California surfer named Tom Harvey. After a disappointing performance on the waves one afternoon he consoled himself at the legendary Sunset Blvd. watering hole called, Duke's Blackwatch Bar. Where it is said that two-time world champion mixologist Donato 'Duke' Antone was serving up with one of his 'special' cocktails, (a Screwdriver with a dash of Galliano liqueur). After several drinks, the disappointed and highly inebriated Harvey tried to leave the bar, but unfortunately kept bumping into things, including the walls. Harvey 'the Wallbanger' soon became his nickname and this famous cocktail was born.

Now all this may be perfectly true. Or not. But we know that there are plenty of notable 'Duke' creations such as The Rusty Nail, The White Russian, The Godfather and The Flaming Caesar. Some of these drinks were created specifically to promote a liqueur. So it would not be unheard of for Mr. Antone to play along in the promotions game. Even if it was 20 years after the supposed fact.

1970 Harvey Wallbanger kitBecause we can say for sure that another version of the story pegs The Harvey Wallbanger as the brainchild of a 1970s Galliano marketing team who needed a cocktail recipe that would put their product on the map. They devised a party kit complete with a cartoon character named Harvey Wallbanger. There were even party games where the point was; you guessed it– to bang into the wall.

So you see Galliano succeeded in making The Harvey Wallbanger into a big deal, which included cross-promotions with TWA as a featured cocktail on board their flights.

In short, The Harvey Wallbanger was one of the hippest drinks of the 1970s. The cocktail was delicious and popular, and even had a fun name, so not surprisingly, The Harvey Wallbanger inspired variations.

The Wally Harbanger – 1 part bourbon or whisky 1 part lemon juice 1/2 part Galliano 1-teaspoon simple syrup Mix all ingredients with crushed ice in a shaker. Serve in a highball glass, garnished with a sprig of mint.

The Freddy Fudpucker – 1 part tequila 1/2 part Galliano 4 parts orange juice Combine the tequila and orange juice in a cocktail shaker and blend briefly. Strain over ice into a highball glass, and float the Galliano on top. Garnish with an orange slice. Note: Some versions also include 1/2 part Kahlua combined with the tequila and orange juice.

These variations helped  insure that The Harvey Wallbanger was not just a popular cocktail, but also a cultural icon. Because in the much maligned presidential election of 1972, there were thousands of write-in votes for our Mr. Harvey Wallbanger. 

But despite its incredible notoriety, the fate of The Harvey Wallbanger follows that of many other popular cocktails from another era. It’s rarely ordered now, and most people would be hard-pressed to remember the ingredients. But it’s basically a Screwdriver with a bit of Galliano.

Now of course you know a Screwdriver, right? It was famously named in 1949, by a couple of American mechanics who liked to pass their lunch hour by spiking their orange juice with vodka. Of course that left them wondering what to stir their concoction with, their fingers were much too dirty. So they used, wait for it… their screwdrivers. Yeah right…

Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail serves 1 CLICK here for a printable recipe

  • orange juice cocktail1 1⁄2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1⁄2 oz Galliano liqueur
  • orange slice
  • marischino cherry

Shake the vodka and orange juice with ice, strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Use a spoon to carefully float the Galliano on top. Garnish with orange slice and cherry.

SERIOUS FUN FOOD

Greg Henry

SippitySup

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Never met Harvey

I've never had a Harvey Wallbanger but that might have something to do with the fact I wasn't of drinking age until the end of the 80's. I think I would like one, I'll have to give it a try. Our favorite surfer drink was Blue Whales.

Chris (not verified) | Jan 15th, 2011 at 10:17 am | Reply

such a fun post - thanks for

such a fun post - thanks for the trip down memory lane!!

SMITH BITES (not verified) | Jan 14th, 2011 at 5:51 pm | Reply

A harvey Wallbanger....

how old ARE YOU, anyway? ;-) It's nice to see some classics never die. - S

Oui, Chef (not verified) | Jan 13th, 2011 at 2:55 pm | Reply

Back in the day...

Well, I did not really drink in my youth of the Harvey. But, I sure could hold onto the cold glass in the heat of Texas, and just say the name over and over till the room giggled.

Now it would be gone, before the ice ever melted.

Chef E (not verified) | Jan 13th, 2011 at 8:12 am | Reply

Surfer babes?

How about this cocktail for a surfer babe?? Looks great Greg!

Marla {family fresh cooking} (not verified) | Jan 13th, 2011 at 7:12 am | Reply

It does have that 70's look

It does have that 70's look with the garnish & all

kat (not verified) | Jan 12th, 2011 at 6:51 pm | Reply

I remember my first Harvey . . .

Oh, wait, maybe I don't. I should have one of these to refresh my memory. Wow!

Suzanne (not verified) | Jan 12th, 2011 at 3:38 pm | Reply

Harvey...

A screwdriver is of course the first libation in my long list of cocktail induced memories. In the tourist areas of Greece these cocktails from the past are all that is available. Not sure if this represents the rest of Europe but not a margeurita, bellini or fuzzball to be found. Although I did have a cactus juice for 20 euro.

bellini (not verified) | Jan 12th, 2011 at 5:06 am | Reply

Swing high sweet Caribinieri

Oh Galliano, your streamlined caribinieri adorned bottle, how essential you are to the Harvey Wallbanger. You wait patiently through fall, winter and spring to march forth in summer and get this party started. Come out of hibernation early this year. Harvey Wallbangers in January? Oh yeah! The sheer and present genius of sippity sup!

JoeP (not verified) | Jan 11th, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Reply

Bring on the cocktails

This is a lovely cocktail. I came across this after I was looking how to use Galliano beyond Jamaican Yellow Birds.

Jason

Jason Phelps (not verified) | Jan 11th, 2011 at 7:00 pm | Reply

memory lane

I remember hearing about this cocktail when I was a kid in the 70s. Love it! I can't wait to mix up a few of these.

lisaiscooking (not verified) | Jan 11th, 2011 at 6:56 pm | Reply

Deja 70's !!!!

Blast from the past! Twas not a Harvey Wallbanger without that signature shot of Galliano. Slice of orange and cherry skewered by a little sharp edged plastic stick. Elegantly eat the garnish without ripping the corner of your mouth open. Knights in White Satin, Whole Lotta Love. Jimmy Page you are still the best.

Freddy Fudpucker. Wally Harbanger. Belly laugh! I had forgotten the drunken nicknames for off-shots inspired by the original cocktail.

Crazy but great memories some of which may be fuzzy... fuzzy? Another drink and another story.

Great post!

Judy

Hot Polka Dot's Mom (Judy) (not verified) | Jan 11th, 2011 at 6:50 pm | Reply

ma- ha - low

Dude, I cant keep complimenting - its seems redundant.

doggybloggy (not verified) | Jan 11th, 2011 at 5:54 pm | Reply

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