Harvey Wallbanger Recipes
Classic Cocktail, Harvey Wallbanger Cake & Freddy Fudpucker Recipes
Oct 19, 2007
According to Great Cocktails, credit for the invention of the Harvey Wallbanger goes to Donato ‘Duke’ Antone, the Los Angeles mixologist also known for the Rusty Nail, the Flaming Caesar, and the Godfather. Created in the 1950s, the drink became wildly popular in the 1970s, spurred by Galliano’s ad campaign featuring a goofily likable cartoon character named Harvey.
How did it get the name Harvey Wallbanger?
The legend surrounding the name is impossible to prove, but it’s the sort of tale that should be true, even if it’s not. According to the story, Duke had a regular customer named Harvey. Harvey was a passionate surfer, and came into the bar one evening depressed over the loss of an important contest. He drowned his sorrows with several of Duke’s delicious cocktails – enough that as he made his way to the exit, Harvey repeatedly stumbled and bumped into things, including the wall. Harvey the Wallbanger became his new nickname, and the name stuck to the cocktail as well.
Making the Harvey Wallbanger
- 2 parts vodka
- 1 part Galliano
- fresh orange juice
Combine the vodka 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.
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
- ½ 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
- ½ 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 ½ part Kahlua combined with the tequila and orange juice.
The Harvey Wallbanger was not just a popular cocktail, in many ways it became a cultural icon. In trucker terms, a Harvey Wallbanger becomes a reckless driver. In the 1972 presidential election, there were thousands of write-in votes for Harvey Wallbanger. The cocktail was so well-known in the 70’s that it even inspired a popular dessert.
The Harvey Wallbanger Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box vanilla instant pudding
- ½ cup oil
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup vodka
- ¼ cup Galliano
- ¾ cup orange juice
Mix cake mix, pudding, oil, eggs, vodka, Galliano, and orange juice, and beat for 4 minutes. Pour batter into a greased and floured tube (bundt) pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until the cake tests as done.
Serve dusted with powdered sugar, or use a glaze made of 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1 tablespoon vodka, and 1 tablespoon Galliano.
But despite its incredible notoriety, the fate of the Harvey Wallbanger follows that of many other popular cocktails. It’s seldom ordered now, and most people would be hard-pressed to remember the ingredients. On November 5th this year, why not take a walk back through history and celebrate Harvey Wallbanger Day?
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