Harvey Wallbanger Recipe

Move over, Screwdriver – it’s time to share the spotlight with your equally delicious cousin: the Harvey Wallbanger recipe. This refreshing vodka cocktail is made with vodka, orange juice, and Galliano for a botanical beverage you’re bound to love.

When I was growing up, my folks had a lot of dinner parties and served a lot of cocktails. I remember the names of many of the drinks they served, and this Harvey Wallbanger cocktail was one I knew someday I was going to try.

Mainly because of the name.

When I turned 21, I tried it at one of our holiday gatherings. I loved it because it was not only easy to make, but it was like drinking orange juice with a zing to it.

So, if you’re wondering, the Wallbanger is basically the classic screwdriver with Galliano added to it.

This classic cocktail was very popular in the early 1970s, but I believe it will have a comeback.

Helpful tips

• You don’t have to use a cocktail shaker to make this cocktail, but I recommend it because shaking the ingredients always assures a blended drink.
• If you choose to build the cocktail in each glass, make sure to stir briskly with a cocktail spoon.
• I like this cocktail in a tall thin glass like a Collins glass, but you could also use a double old fashioned glass or a highball glass.
• I use dehydrated orange wheels as garnish, but you can use fresh orange wheels instead.
• Although I’m using a good vodka like Grey Goose, you can substitute for a less expensive brand because this cocktail has more juice than alcohol, so you won’t really taste the difference.
• After you pour the contents of the shaker into the glasses, you are going to float the Galliano on top of the drink, after you pour.

How to make the Harvey Wallbanger recipe

Pre-step

Get a cocktail shaker, measuring glass, barspoon and glassware. For garnish, rinse the syrup off two maraschino cherries and cut an orange wheel in half.

After measuring out the vodka and orange juice, add them to the shaker. You will be floating the Galliano on top of the drink.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – vodka, orange juice, and Galliano liqueur.

Step two

Measure out 4 ounces of vodka.

Step three

Measure out 7 ounces of orange juice.

Step four

Measure 1/2 ounce of Galliano per cocktail. Don’t pour the Galliano into the shaker.

Step five

Cap the cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Add fresh ice to the glasses and divide, strain, and pour the liquid between the two glasses.

Step six

Take the cocktail spoon and place it upside down so the back of the spoon is facing up and in the glass above the liquid. Slowly pour the Galliano over the back of the spoon and into the liquid so it floats on top. That way every time you sip the Harvey Wallbanger, you get a nice herb scent and taste.

Measure another 1/2 ounce of Galliano and repeat with the other cocktail.

Step seven

Add a maraschino cherry and half an orange wheel to each cocktail (I use half a dehydrated orange wheel to each glass rim.)

Doesn’t that look delicious? Let’s look at a closer view.

I promptly took a sip and was whisked back to my parents’ grand parties!

I hope you enjoyed this Harvey Wallbanger recipe. I know I did.

Other vodka recipes

• Grapefruit, ginger mojito
• Cherry vodka sour
• Dirty martini
• Orange martini

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!