Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Fill a highball glass with ice
Add vodka and orange juice and stir
Float Galliano on top
Garnish with an orange slice
Glassware
Served over ice in a highball glass
Garnish
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for vibrancy
Pour the Galliano gently over a spoon to preserve the float
Chill the glass and ingredients for a crisp result
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Harvey Wallbanger.
Freddie Fuddpucker
Tequila Wallbanger—blanco tequila, orange juice, and a Galliano float over ice.
Hardly Wallbanger
A drier Wallbanger—vodka, orange juice, bitters, and a restrained Galliano float.
Spiked Wallbanger Coffee
A modern, intuitive variation of the classic 1970s Harvey Wallbanger, substituting orange juice with coffee. This cocktail bridges disco-era highballs with robust coffee drinks.
Julius Wallbanger
Orange Julius meets Wallbanger—vodka and OJ with cream and vanilla, finished with a Galliano float.
Other Variations
Extra Herbal
Increases Galliano for a stronger anise-vanilla note.
Changes
Less Sweet
Cuts back on Galliano for a drier profile.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Though folklore credits a California surfer named Tom Harvey, the Harvey Wallbanger owes its fame to a 1969 marketing campaign by Galliano importer McKesson. Cartoon ads of a sandal-wearing "Harvey" and the catchphrase "Harvey Wallbanger is the name and I can be made!" propelled the vodka–orange–Galliano combo into bars, airplanes, and home parties throughout the 1970s. Its popularity faded with the disco era but resurged as cocktail historians embraced its kitschy charm.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Hardly Wallbanger
A drier Wallbanger—vodka, orange juice, bitters, and a restrained Galliano float.
Screwdriver
Vodka and orange juice built over ice for a simple, refreshing highball.
Julius Wallbanger
Orange Julius meets Wallbanger—vodka and OJ with cream and vanilla, finished with a Galliano float.