Harvey Wallbanger recipe

The original Harvey Wallbanger is a refreshing, fruity and simple cocktail of vodka, orange juice and a float of Galliano for a bontanical note to the drink. It is one of the most famous cocktails of the ‘disco drink’ set during the seventies and eighties. The story behind the name: in the 1970’s Californian surfer Tom Harvey won an important surfing competition and went into a bar to celebrate this with his favorite drink. He apparently imbibed too much and, staggering out of the bar, banged his surfboard from wall to wall. His friends nicknamed him ‘Harvey Wallbanger’. The nickname transferred itself to his favorite drink and a legend was born.

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Harvey Wallbanger ingredients

15ml Galliano L’Autentico
50ml Vodka`
120ml freshly squeezed orange juice

½ oz Galliano L’Autentico
2 oz Vodka
4 oz freshly squeezed orange juice

Alcohol content

2.1 units. A unit describes the amount of alcohol in your drink. The higher the number of units, the more alcohol is in your drink. Explore further.

Bartender’s note

Replace the Vodka for Gin and supplement with lemon juice for more bracing aciditiy. To balance the tartness, you could even add a teaspoon of rich cane sugar syrup, adding body to the mixture.

Do you want to savor the same iconic flavors of this classic cocktail, with a reduced alcohol content for a lighter, more refreshing experience? Try the lower alcohol Harvey Wallbanger cocktail. Just add 30ML of Galliano L’Autentico topped with 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice and leave out the vodka component.  Perfect for those seeking a more moderate option without compromising on taste.

This variant contains 1,0 units.

Serve

Build all ingredients into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with an orange slice or wedge.

Harvey Wallbanger cocktail recipe

How to make the famous Harvey Wallbanger Cake?

A delightful and very easy to make cake, which tastes just like the cocktail!

Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 45 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1  package yellow cake mix (or even better an orange flavoured cake mix, if you can find it)
  • 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or softened butter
  • ½ cup  Galliano L’Autentico liqueur
  • 2 tablespoons vodka
  • ½ cup (freshly squeezed) orange juice
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Orange zest

Steps to make the cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a pan.

Combine the yellow or orange cake mix and pudding mix in a large bowl. Blend in the 4 eggs, vegetable oil, ½ cup of Galliano, 2 tablespoons vodka, and ½ cup of (freshly squeezed) orange juice. Add some orange zest to make it even more tastier. Mix until smooth & thick and pour into a prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, remove and place on a cooling rack. Spoon the glaze over cake while it is still warm.

Steps to make the glaze

1 tablespoon Galliano, 1 tablespoon of vodka, and 1 tablespoon (freshy squeezed) orange juice with 1 cup of powdered sugar and a bit of orange zest and blend until smooth. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar. Spoon the glaze over the warm cake and enjoy the Harvey Wallbanger Cake!