National Harvey Wallbanger Day is celebrated on November 8 every year and the #Holiday celebrates the alcoholic drink made with Vodka, Galliano Liqueur, and Orange Juice. Harvey Wallbanger used to be quite popular in the 1970s, however,the beverage can still be readily found on Bar menus.
Harvey Wallbanger is quite easy to make at home too and you can always experiment with the type of Liqueur you use or you can switch up the variety of Orange. National Harvey Wallbanger Day is celebrated by Mixologists and everyone who enjoys a good drink.
Legend has it that Havery Wallbanger was invented by Mixologist Donato “Duke” Antone at the Blackwatch Bar on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, in 1952. He supposedly named the drink after a Manhattan Beach surfer named Harvey, or Tom Harvey, who would often visit his Bar.
The story goes that Harvey got tipsy after an evening of drinking, so much so that it was enough to make him bang into the wall upon his exit. This story is questionable as evidence shows that Antone was in Connecticut when a Harvey Wallbanger was supposedly invented! Another similar story claims that the drink Harvey Walbanger was created at a Bar called Pancho’s Bar in Manhattan Beach.
However, Harvey Wallbanger did not gain in popularity until the 1970s, when George Bednar of McKesson Imports Company promoted Harvey Wallbanger as a way to sell Galliano, which was a trademark of his company.
In the late 1969s, Bill Young created a Harvey Wallbanger cartoon figure that was featured on posters and other forms of advertising. Some believe that Bednar used the story of Antone inventing Harvey Wallbanger as a way to market the drink.
Either way, this catapulted Galliano’s sales and Harvey Wallbanger became the number one imported Liqueur in America. Harvey Wallbangers were served on flights and also by Amtrak. Harvery Wallbanger has since become a favorite amongst Americans.
The 1982 American League pennant-winning Milwaukee Brewers were nicknamed “Harvey’s Wallbangers” after the team started hitting better. Even though the origins of Harvey Wallbangers are dubious, the story still float around.
National Harvey Wallbanger Day Activities
- Take the opportunity today to toast to a great Cocktail invention and celebrate National Harvey Wallbanger Day by enjoying a glass of the famous beverage at your favorite bar.
- You can also celebrate National Harvey Wallbanger Day by experimenting with your beverage and switch up the type of Orange or replace Galliano Liqueur with something else.
- Did you know you can observe National Harvey Wallbanger Day even if you don’t drink. Replace the Alcohol with Soda or Tonic Water and enjoy the teetotal version of a Harvey Walbanger.
Facts About Vodka
- Vodka is made from Corn or Potatoes making this beverage gluten-free.
- ’The word ‘Vodka’ is the diminutive of the Russian word ‘Voda’, which means Water, so Vodka means ‘little Water’.
- A shot of Vodka contains only 90 calories.
- Bacon, PB&J, and Blueberry Pancake are only some of the strange flavors that Vodka comes in.
- Did you know applying diluted Vodka to your skin can make it firm and spotless.
Why People Love National Harvey Wallbanger Day
People celebrate National Harvey Wallbanger Day because it’s fun and the drink is delicious, and the stories associated with having a Harvy Wallbanger are funny, and now the drink is a star of many shows.
Harvey Wallbanger is one of America’s favorite drinks which is reason enough to celebrate National Harvey Wallbanger Day with your friends and family.
National Harvey Wallbanger Day means you get to hang out with your friends and spend quality time together enjoying a drink you might not have had the opportunity to try.
Recipe for Harvey Wallbanger
Prep Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 1
Ingredients
Original recipe (1X) yields 1 servings
- 4 fluid ounces orange juice
- 1 fluid ounce vodka
- 1 cup ice
- ½ fluid ounce Galliano liqueur
Directions
Combine orange juice and vodka in a Collins glass. Add ice and stir. Float Galliano on top.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
