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Celebrating Harvey Wallbanger’s

Nov 7, 2025 | Food Blog

Today’s Spotlight is on Harvey Wallbanger’s.

The Harvey Wallbanger is a mixed drink cocktail made with vodka, Galliano, and orange juice. It is a variant of the screwdriver and was very popular in the United States in the 1970s. Here is what you need to know to make a Harvey Wallbanger:

  • Main alcohol: Vodka
  • Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz (3 parts) Vodka, 1/2 oz (1 part) Galliano, 3 oz (6 parts) Fresh orange juice
  • Preparation: Stir the vodka and orange juice with ice in the glass, then float the Galliano on top. Garnish and serve.
  • Served: On the rocks; poured over ice
  • Standard garnish: Maraschino cherry, orange slice
  • Drinkware: Highball glass

 

History

According to folklore, the Harvey Wallbanger was invented in 1952 by Donato “Duke” Antone, a bartender at the Blackwatch Bar in Hollywood. The drink is a Screwdriver with the addition of Galliano, an Italian liqueur.

The story goes that a surfer named Tom Harvey ordered his favorite drink, a Screwdriver with Galliano, after losing a surfing competition in California. Harvey got so drunk he started running into the walls, hence the drink’s name.

The cocktail didn’t become popular until the early 1970s.

 

Harvey the Jokes on You

The Harvey Wallbanger became a running joke in popular culture after being referenced in shows like The Love Boat, Three’s Company, Barney Miller, and Welcome Back Kotter. The joke was that the Harvey Wallbanger was for a schlub like Michael Stivic, while Cutty Sark on the rocks was for a tough guy like Mannix.

The Harvey Wallbanger was also a nickname for the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, who won the American League pennant. The team was nicknamed “Harvey’s Wallbangers” because of their power hitting under mid-season manager Harvey Kuenn.

 

Here are some fun facts about the Harvey Wallbanger:

  • The Harvey Wallbanger was marketed with a fictional character named Harvey Wallbanger, a surfer. The campaign was created in 1969 by McKesson Imports Company, the importer of Galliano. The campaign was intended to increase sales of Galliano.
  • The Harvey Wallbanger was popular in the 1970s. It was served at discos, country clubs, fraternity parties, and on trains and planes. It was also featured on posters, T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, coffee mugs, and beach towels.

 

Consumption

According to Tastewise, the average person consumes a Harvey Wallbanger 1.19 times per year.

 

Celebrating Harvey Wallbanger’s

National Harvey Wallbanger Day is celebrated on November 8 every year. The day celebrates the alcoholic drink made with vodka, Galliano liqueur, and orange juice. The drink was quite popular in the 1970s, however, it can still be readily found on bar menus.

To make a Harvey Wallbanger, you:

  • Stir the vodka and orange juice with ice in the glass.
  • Float the Galliano on top.

The drink is made from three parts vodka, six parts orange juice, and one part Galliano. Galliano is an herbal liqueur with flavors of vanilla and anise.

Let us know in the comments if you are a fan of Harvey Wallbangers.

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