Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail

Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail Story

Who, exactly, was Harvey Wallbanger? You would have to track down the Duke to find out. The popular legend states that Donato “Duke” Antone named his mix of vodka, orange juice, and Galliano in honor of Tom Harvey, a surfer who had a tendency of banging his head against the wall after having too much to drink. Antone actually had his own bartending school throughout the 1960s and was credited with creating numerous drinks, some featuring Galliano, but none of which were called Harvey Wallbanger. Antone was likely a background player in the invention of the drink, possibly consulting on the recipe. The cartoonish Galliano mascot of Tom Harvey, however, is entirely the stuff of marketing genius. Crossing an obscure Italian liqueur with beach bum surf culture seemed to resonate with the public, making the Harvey Wallbanger one of the most successful cocktail creations of its day. By the 1970s, the demand for Harvey Wallbangers was so high, the concoction was sold as a pre-bottled mix. This was in the dark ages of the cocktail, however, when convenience trumped freshness. We recommend preparing this one with fresh ingredients and skipping the head banging.