There are two conflicting reports about how the Harvey Wallbanger got its name. However, in both Harvey is a 1950s California surfer who needed consolation after losing a contest. In one version, the disconsolate Harvey bangs his head against a wall in frustration, but is offered a special drink by a kindly barman to cheer him up. His nickname becomes “Wallbanger” and the drink is named after him.
In another, Harvey drinks so much of this special drink, made for him by Donato “Duke” Antone (a mixologist famous for inventing the Rusty Nail, a combination of whisky and Drambuie), in Duke’s Hollywood Blackwatch bar, that he keeps on bumping into furniture and walls when he attempts to leave. This garners him the nickname “Wallbanger”. Either way, Harvey was a sore loser surfer. He bumped into a wall, deliberately or otherwise and was consoled by friends with a drink invented for that purpose, which carries his nickname to this day.
A Harvey Wallbanger is prepared on the rocks by pouring vodka and freshly squeezed orange juice over ice in a tall glass. A shot of Galliano liqueur is then floated on top.
Harvey wallbanger
Ingredients
- 75ml vodka
- 150ml freshly squeezed
- orange juice
- ice, to serve
- 25ml Galliano
- orange slices, to garnish
Instructions
Mix the vodka and orange juice in a tall glass, add ice to fill the length of the glass, then gently top up with Galliano liqueur so that it floats on top. Garnish with a slice of orange and serve.
